Resources / Client Experiences

Delivering Cost Certainty for a Secure Juvenile Treatment Center

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Table of Contents Challenge Overview YA Group’s Area of Impact Contact Us
Client Type

Architecture, Engineering & Construction

Owners/Corporate

Services Planning & Construction Advisory Services
Client Type

Architecture, Engineering & Construction

Owners/Corporate

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services was seeking an architect to help design and build a new youth development center in Hampsted, New Hampshire to replace an outdated facility. The center offers life skills, mental health support and vocational training for at-risk youth. YA partnered with architecture firm HDR to provide comprehensive cost estimating services for the $27 million, 31,038-square-foot project, which provides the Department with a modern, secure, and purpose-built environment designed to provide care while meeting stringent security requirements.

Challenge Overview

Designing and budgeting a secure juvenile treatment facility presents unique considerations that go well beyond a typical institutional build. This full site development with ground-up construction included structural concrete and steel, masonry, and high-performance thermal envelope systems. There were also significant security requirements associated with the project, including the use of detention-grade doors and windows, ligature-resistant plumbing fixtures, forced-entry-resistant glazing, and high-impact wall assemblies.

Adding to the complexity, the project followed a single-prime competitive bid structure with multi-unit build outs included as add alternates. Scheduling assumptions required careful phasing to align with a September 2024 start, a January 2026 completion, and a critical May 2025 escalation midpoint. Each of these factors demanded a disciplined, detail-oriented estimating approach to mitigate risk and support informed decision-making.

YA Group’s Area of Impact

YA Group delivered detailed, defensible cost estimates that accounted for the facility’s heightened security requirements, specialized finishes, and robust mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP/FP) systems. Through thorough escalation modeling, alternates evaluation and phasing scenario assessments, YA helped the client project team navigate budget constraints without compromising safety, durability, or programmatic intent.

Through close collaboration with HDR, YA Group helped ensure the project entered the competitive bid process with realistic expectations, reduced exposure to cost overruns, and a clear roadmap for execution.

YA’s expertise helped bring clarity, confidence, and cost certainty to a highly complex institutional project with complex security, phasing, and escalation considerations.

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