Modular Cleanroom Cost Guide: Pricing, Manufacturers & Savings Tips

When planning a new cleanroom for your facility, cost is a key consideration. As expected, it’s always a complex issue, as you must take into account factors such as material type, ISO classifications, and regulatory compliance.

Whether you’re in the aerospace, semiconductor, or pharmaceutical industry, the first step is understanding all your industry-specific and process requirements. This is vital to budget and break down the cost of all aspects, including size, material, and special features.

Below, we explore typical modular clean room costs, industry examples, and budgeting tips to help you navigate this matter.

What is a Modular Cleanroom?

A modular cleanroom is a controlled environment constructed from prefabricated panels and components, which are assembled on-site. Modular systems are flexible, faster to build, and cost-effective than traditional cleanrooms.

What’s more, you can modify, disassemble, or relocate them as requirements or needs change. Such flexibility and scalability make them suitable for a variety of applications.

Another key aspect of modular systems is customization. Some designs can be tailored to specific applications and required classifications, such as soft-wall systems for greater flexibility or hard-wall systems for critical applications.

Key Factors That Determine Modular Cleanroom Cost

Modular cleanrooms are priced per square foot (sq ft), but the actual cost you’ll pay for one hinges on different factors, including:

• ISO classification: A cleanroom’s ISO class impacts cost; the lower the number, the higher the price. There are 9 classes, from ISO 1 to ISO 9, categorized by the maximum allowed concentration of airborne particles (e.g., ≥0.1, ≥0.5, or ≥5.0 µm) and air changes per hour (ACPH) requirements. For instance, ISO 5 allows up to 3,520 particles of 0.5µm per cubic meter of air and requires 240 to 600 ACPH, while ISO 8 permits 3,520,000.
• Material selection: You can choose from various materials for your cleanroom core, such as rockwool, aluminum honeycomb, polyurethane foam (PUF), and expanded polystyrene (EPS). The outer skin can be uPVC-coated, powder-coated galvanized iron (GI), or pre-painted steel.
• Cleanroom size: Larger cleanrooms have a higher total cost, but the price per square foot decreases due to economies of scale. Note that the price per sq. ft. doesn't include major equipment.
• Airflow and conditioning: If you want a setup that supports specific air changes per hour, makeup air conditioning, or pressurization, you will pay more for a cleanroom.
• Specific features: Additional features and customizations significantly impact the cost. For instance, you may want equipment such as fume hoods, air showers, and biosafety cabinets, which will increase the price.

The overall cost will hinge on the purpose of the cleanroom, your industry, and customizations. It’s vital to choose the right manufacturer to help you plan and design the cleanroom that fits your budget and needs.

Modular Cleanroom Cost Breakdown (With Price Ranges)

It’s essential to compare modular cleanroom pricing to find a solution that fits your budget. It really makes a huge difference in your overall cost.

Below, we break down the cost differences across industries and see how modular cleanrooms stack up against their traditional counterparts:

Industry-Specific Cost Differences

The cost of modular cleanrooms ranges from $75 to $1,500+ per square foot, depending on the ISO classification.

For example, lower ISO classes, such as ISO 5, have higher HVAC demands, like high ACPH, continuous airflow, and strict pressure/temperature/humidity control, costing more per sq. ft. than higher classes like ISO 8.

• Pharmaceutical cleanrooms have higher price tags due to their stringent sanitation requirements and the use of 316 stainless steel, which prevents corrosion. Their classification mostly ranges from ISO 5 to ISO 8, which can cost between $250 and $600 per sq. ft.
• Semiconductor cleanrooms also have a high cost because they require specialized materials to prevent electric discharge (ESD). They can be anywhere from $150 to $600, with advanced units costing up to $2,800 per sq. ft.
• Most food cleanrooms cost between $75 and $250, while those for the aerospace industry cost $200 to $600 per sq. ft.

Across all industries, a solid cleanroom costs approximately $150 to $500 per sq. ft. Note that the cost per sq. ft. is generally consistent across all sectors. Individual pricing for your setup depends on the material and the ISO classification needed for specific use cases.

Modular vs. Traditional Cleanroom Cost Comparison

Compared to traditional cleanrooms, modular cleanrooms are cost-effective and offer more value, particularly during field operations and temporary projects.

For example, setting up a traditional cleanroom can cost over $1,500 per sq. ft. Those with raised floors cost more to construct, with the raised floors accounting for up to 25% of the cost.

Also known as a hard-wall cleanroom, a traditional cleanroom is more costly and inflexible, especially regarding modifications and future expansions. It also has various challenges, including:

• Long build times due to weather uncertainty and other factors
• Complex maintenance, as it requires intensive cleaning
• Renovations and upgrades lead to downtime and disruption
• Complex regulatory compliance, as it needs specialized expertise

Given these challenges, you’ll likely get more value for your facility with a modular setup that costs between $75 and $1,500+ per square foot.

Why Moddulx Leads in Modular Cleanroom Manufacturing

While the other manufacturers offer stellar services, Moddulx goes above and beyond to deliver panels that support your process-specific needs and ensure cost-efficient lifecycle value. 

Here is what makes Moddulx a leader in cleanroom manufacturing:

• Custom fabrications: Moddulx offers tailored cleanroom panel solutions to meet unique specifications for various industries, such as semiconductor and medical.
• Hygienic materials: We use hygienic materials, such as uPVC-coated aluminum honeycomb cores and non-shedding surfaces, for optimal washability, durability, and contamination control
• Built for compliance: The high-quality, pre-fabricated modular panels are tailored to meet all cleanroom standards, including ISO 14644, GMP, and USP, in different industries.
• Aesthetic and functional: Our modular panels have pre-painted steel, powder-coated GI, or uPVC-coated surfaces, paired with a PUF, Rockwool, EPS, or Aluminum honeycomb core to support the needs of different controlled environments.
• Environment-tailored: All our panel types, including PVC, ACM, HBL, and insulated, are tailored to meet your facility’s chemical exposure, fire safety, and temperature needs.

At Moddulx, we manufacture high-quality modular panels for cleanrooms and controlled environments, delivering solutions that cater to various industries and meet unique specifications to ensure maximum operational efficiency.

Contact us today to learn more about our budget-friendly panels for your biotech or pharma facility.

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

While shopping for the right modular cleanroom for your facility, here are pricing pitfalls you must avoid to control the overall cost:

• Misjudging the ISO classification or grade can lead to an inability to meet standards
• Skimping on materials to save money definitely guarantees higher long-term maintenance costs
• Poorly planned layout without scalability results in costly modifications or upgrades
• Opting for the cheapest option can lead to hidden costs from frequent repairs and cleaning
• Inaccurately sizing your cleanroom can lead to poor performance and increased costs

Before purchasing your modular cleanroom, take the time to assess your needs, operational workflows, and industry requirements to budget accordingly and avoid costly mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to common questions that facility managers ask when shopping for modular cleanrooms:

What Are Typical Payment Terms for Modular Cleanrooms?

The payment terms for modular cleanrooms vary from one manufacturer to another. You’ll need to reach out to the supplier to ask for quotes and discuss the terms.

Suppliers and clients usually negotiate the specifics of the terms, depending on the project’s size, complexity, and any additional services. For instance, the terms can involve an initial down payment, followed by progressive payments, and a final payment upon delivery.

Do Modular Cleanrooms Come With Warranty Coverage?

Yes, most modular cleanrooms come with warranty coverage, but the specifics and duration vary by manufacturer. The warranty can cover both parts and labor. 

Standard warranties are often 1 year, while some manufacturers offer 3- to 5-year warranties.

How Long Does a Modular Cleanroom Last?

A high-quality, well-maintained modular cleanroom can last 10 to 25 years. The lifespan depends on the materials used, regular maintenance, and the quality of the construction. 

While a cleanroom can last for decades, its components, like HVAC units and filters, require periodic replacement.

How Long Does It Take to Deliver and Install?

It can take 6 to 14 weeks to deliver and install a cleanroom, while the entire process from initial design to final testing can take 12 to 36 weeks. The ideal timeline depends on several factors, such as customization, size, complexity, lead times, and site preparation. 

Manufacturers can always accommodate special requests and timelines if necessary.

Conclusion

When considering a new cleanroom, effective planning and decision-making are vital to stay within the budget.

You need to consider the various factors that influence the overall cost of a modular clean room, including size, ISO classification, materials, and special features. But the key is to work with the right modular cleanroom manufacturer to manage costs while maintaining the necessary quality and safety standards.

At Moddulx, we plan, design, and deliver cost-effective modular cleanrooms for the pharma, aerospace, food, biotech, and semiconductor industries. Our process takes into account all your needs and compliance standards, like ISO 14644 and GMP. We deliver panels in various configurations, like powder-coated, uPVC-coated, and pre-painted steel.

Explore our modular panel solutions to find high-quality, pre-fabricated panels that help you save costs and speed up build time.