Project Intelligence
Build vs Buy Analysis
Decide between building a new cold storage facility and acquiring/retrofitting an existing one. Model CAPEX, time-to-revenue, risk and expansion optionality — with Optimistic / Base / Pessimistic scenarios.
Build new (greenfield)
Buy existing + retrofit
Scenario:
Build new
Total CAPEX
$8.00M
Time to revenue
18 months
Key risk
Construction risk, permitting, weather delays. Highest scope-drift exposure.
Upside
Fit-for-purpose design, latest refrigerant, warranty from day one, easy to expand.
Buy + retrofit
Fastest to revenueTotal CAPEX
$8.30M
Time to revenue
6 months
Key risk
Hidden defects, refrigerant obsolescence (F-Gas / R-22 residual), locked layout.
Upside
Faster to revenue, existing certifications, brownfield financing familiar to banks.
Decision heuristic (not financial advice)
- Time-to-revenue < 9 months critical → lean Buy.
- Design must support ASRS, transcritical CO₂ or GDP pharma → lean Build.
- Bank/ECA is unfamiliar with your market → Buy (brownfield) often finances faster.
- Facility must scale 2–3x in 5 years → Build with modular expansion joints.