According to a survey sponsored by Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DRT), 80% of U.S. Companies are planning expansions or a refresh of existing data center facilities. Specifically, Info-Tech sees an increase in the number of enterprises planning data center expansions and refresh involving ‘server rooms' of between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet. With costs estimated between $600 and $900 per square foot, each project can represent a million dollar investment.

Data center facilities are particularly costly because they require a level of detail beyond normal commercial construction requirements. For example, building code requirements alone can represent a 20% cost increase for a 110V outlet in a data center or server room versus a standard 110V outlet installed in a commercial office setting.