Project Planning
- Preconstruction budget and schedule review
- Permitting, inspections and owner reviews tracked to closeout
- Specialty trade partners scheduled, coordinated and supervised by our superintendent
- Closeout records, warranties and as-built drawings delivered with the building
Move-in day does not slip. Students and parents arrive on a date set months earlier, and a residence hall that is not ready creates problems for the whole institution, from cancelled leases to temporary hotel stays. That fixed date shapes every decision in student housing construction, and it is why we begin these projects with the calendar, not the drawings.
We build residence halls, apartment-style student housing, dining and community buildings that go with them, and renovations of aging dormitories. Owners include public universities, community colleges, private developers who serve a campus and institutions that partner with developers through leases. Each has a different funding structure, different approvals and a different tolerance for risk, and we listen carefully to understand which applies to the project at hand.
Student housing is also hard on buildings. Residents move in and out each year, furniture is dragged across floors, and common areas are used constantly. Durable finishes, easy-to-clean surfaces, robust plumbing and mechanical systems and secure access control all matter. We help owners choose materials that last and systems that staff can maintain.
Building to move-in day
The schedule for a residence hall is set by the academic calendar. Substantial completion comes first, followed by time for furniture installation, cleaning, technology testing, inspections and staff training. We work backward from the move-in date and set milestones for structure, enclosure, rough-ins and finishes that allow enough time at the end. Float is protected for the final weeks, because that is where delays accumulate.
Repetitive layouts help. Student rooms and suites are often identical, which allows efficient framing, mechanical rough-in and finish sequencing, and a model room approved early lets us catch mistakes before they multiply. Long-lead items such as elevators, windows, electrical gear and furniture packages must be ordered early. For owners managing several buildings or campuses, CM at-risk construction management offers early pricing and procurement while the design is completed.
Campuses and institutions across the state
New Mexico has campuses of many sizes, and each has different housing needs. New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas listed 2,842 students in fall 2023 and has satellite campuses in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell. Western New Mexico University in Silver City sits on an 80-acre campus with over 40 buildings and over 3,500 students in fall 2024. These institutions combine residential and commuter students, which affects how much housing they need.
Institutional housing is not limited to universities. In November 2025 a KFDA report said Cannon Air Force Base would receive over $80 million in federal funding, including an $80 million 192-bed dormitory, with no date announced for the upgrades. That project is a reminder that dormitory-style construction also serves military and workforce populations. We follow campus and institutional needs in Las Vegas and Silver City because they illustrate the range of work.
What student housing projects include
A student housing project includes the residential building and its surroundings: units or suites, shared kitchens and lounges, study rooms, laundry, mail rooms, fitness areas and outdoor gathering spaces. Some include dining or retail, and others connect to the campus utility network, which requires coordination with the institution's facilities department. We also handle site work, parking, bike storage, lighting and security systems.
The building's structure depends on height and budget. Low-rise halls can be wood-framed, while taller buildings may use concrete or steel with metal studs. Access control, fire alarm, sprinklers and egress are essential, and so is accessibility. Our multifamily apartment construction experience applies directly, with added attention to durability and to the fast turnover typical of student use.
Where student housing dollars go
Student housing is usually financed with bonds, institutional funds, public-private partnerships or developer capital, and each has its own cost discipline. The major drivers are unit count, bed count, the number of shared amenities, structural system and site conditions. Repeated layouts and standard details lower cost, while custom spaces and complex facades raise it.
We help owners evaluate costs over the life of the building, not just at construction. Finishes that resist wear, plumbing fixtures that are easy to repair and mechanical systems that are efficient and accessible all reduce operating costs. Our education facility construction work gives us detailed knowledge of campus needs, and we share cost data openly with the institution's staff so budgeting decisions are informed.
Institutions and developers we serve
We work with colleges and universities, with developers who build for them, and with institutions that lease housing to students and staff. Each has distinct concerns. A university wants a building that fits its master plan and its maintenance capabilities. A developer wants an efficient project with a clear return. A community college may want a small residence hall that expands access to rural students. Our education institution experience helps us talk with all of them.
Related work includes classroom buildings, dining facilities and academic centers, as well as school buildings of other kinds. We coordinate with campus facilities, security and housing staff, who often have rules about contractor behavior, deliveries and access. Treating those rules as part of the project, rather than as obstacles, keeps relationships good and the work moving.
Set your move-in date and we will build the plan
Tell us the campus, the bed count and the semester you need the building. We will lay out the milestones and the risks and talk through delivery options with you.
Questions Owners Ask
How do you make sure a residence hall is ready by move-in?
We plan backward from the date, protect float in the final weeks, order long-lead items early and approve a model room before repeating it. We also schedule inspections and training in advance, so the building can open on time.
What finishes work best in student housing?
Durable, easy-to-clean surfaces: sealed concrete or resilient flooring in common areas, moisture-resistant wall finishes, robust hardware and fixtures that can be repaired quickly. We discuss life-cycle cost with the owner and recommend materials accordingly.
Can you build on an active campus?
Yes. We coordinate with campus staff on haul routes, parking, pedestrian paths, noise and utility shutdowns, and we plan around class schedules and events. Fencing and signage keep students safe.
Is public-private partnership delivery common?
It exists, and when it is used we work with the developer and the institution to reconcile schedule, budget and design expectations. We explain the roles clearly so everyone knows who is responsible for what.
Do you renovate old residence halls?
Yes, often during summers. Renovation requires careful surveys of existing conditions, such as asbestos or outdated systems, so we plan inspections early and budget for hidden conditions.
What delivery method should a college consider?
It depends on the institution's rules and the project. Low-bid is simplest when the design is complete. CM at-risk and design-build help when schedule is tight or when early pricing is important. We help the institution weigh the options.