5 Things General Contractors Want to Consider For Data Center Builds

At Field Control Analytics (FCA), we’ve had the privilege of working alongside leading general contractors across the country. As partners, we’re not just providing access control and workforce analytics—we’re learning every day from the people building the next generation of mission-critical facilities.

One thing became clear in those conversations: it’s time to dig in and understand the trends reshaping data center construction. We decided to review the insights being shared by industry experts—through white papers, case studies, and research—and combine that with what we’ve seen firsthand on complex projects.

The result? Five key considerations for general contractors building data centers today, and how workforce data and analytics can help unlock new efficiencies at every phase of delivery.

1. Prefab & Modular Construction: Faster, Smarter, But Not Always One-Size-Fits-All

• Speed & predictability: Prefabricated and modular approaches can reduce deployment times dramatically—sometimes measured in months rather than years. Schneider Electric’s White Paper on Prefab Modular Data Centers highlights how modular systems enable faster deployment while maintaining reliability.
• Cost efficiency & scalability: Standardized components reduce labor and material costs and allow phased scaling. A Databank study shows operators benefit from flexible capacity additions.
• Risks & constraints: As Data Center Knowledge notes, modular builds may not fit seismic zones or hyperscale requirements, and transport logistics can increase costs.

Takeaway: Prefab and modular strategies are powerful tools—but GCs must weigh site, regulatory, and client-specific needs before committing.

2. Advanced Designs & Emerging Architectures

• Edge + renewable integration: The SkyBox framework demonstrates how modular data centers can co-locate with renewable energy farms, cutting emissions but raising power reliability challenges.
• High-performance modular networking: Research like MODRIC shows container-based designs can offer high throughput and resilience at lower cost.

GC Strategy: Partner closely with design engineers to explore whether advanced modular architectures fit the project’s performance and sustainability requirements.

3. Workforce Data & Analytics: Your Secret Advantage

• Real-time tracking: Platforms like FCA provide visibility into workforce presence, certifications, and hours, reducing fraud and ensuring compliance.
• Predictive planning: Analytics forecast staffing gaps, labor bottlenecks, and productivity benchmarks—critical on fast-paced data center projects.
• Prefab & modular build efficiency: Workforce data isn’t just valuable on-site—it’s equally powerful in the offsite fabrication phase. By analyzing labor hours, bottlenecks, and throughput in prefab facilities, GCs and their partners can identify process inefficiencies, reduce rework, and optimize sequencing before modules ever reach the site.
• O&M optimization: Insights extend into commissioning and long-term operations, driving ROI beyond construction.

Why now: With modular builds compressing timelines, understanding both on-site and offsite labor dynamics through analytics is key to reducing risk, improving productivity, and keeping delivery on schedule.

4. Mitigating the AI-Driven Demand Surge

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently acknowledged that AI is in a bubble, cautioning that overvaluation will hurt some players—“someone’s gonna get burned” (The Verge). Yet, he also predicts trillions of dollars will flow into data center infrastructure as AI workloads continue to scale.

Implications for GCs:

• Don’t overbuild internal systems in anticipation of short-term hype—build adaptable capacity.
• Model financial scenarios to help owners prepare for demand volatility.

5. Sustainability, Quality & Risk Management

• Sustainability: Modular construction research shows prefab methods reduce waste and improve environmental performance.
• Quality & safety: Studies on modular construction highlight fewer onsite accidents and more consistent quality from controlled factory builds.
• Risk reduction: Workforce analytics provide another layer—tracking safety incidents, subcontractor compliance, and man-hours ensures risks are mitigated early.

Conclusion

The data center market is evolving fast. For general contractors, success comes down to balancing speed (via modular methods), agility (in the face of AI-driven demand), and control (through workforce data and analytics).