Engagement FAQs for Mission-Critical Projects

The timeline to build a data center depends on size, location, power availability, and technical complexity. Most enterprise and hyperscale data centers take between twelve and thirty-six months from early planning through commissioning. Early coordination of utilities, long-lead equipment procurement, and design decisions plays a major role in maintaining schedule certainty and avoiding downstream delays.

The cost of building a data center varies widely based on location, power availability, building type, redundancy level, and cooling strategy. In today’s market, total project costs can range from $8 million to over $15 million per megawatt, depending on whether the project is enterprise, colocation, or hyperscale. DMK helps owners understand cost drivers early-power infrastructure, utilities, land, and schedule-so capital decisions are informed before design and procurement lock in risk.

Lead times for critical equipment vary widely based on market conditions and system requirements. Generators, transformers, and switchgear often have the longest lead times, sometimes extending beyond twenty-four months, while UPS systems, cooling infrastructure, and electrical distribution equipment may range from several months to over a year. Early procurement strategies are essential to maintaining project schedules.

DMK supports complex construction and infrastructure projects looks with a strong emphasis on data center and power related work. The firm also supports other large-scale development and construction efforts where coordination, oversight, and schedule control are critical.

Long-lead equipment is often ordered during early design phases, sometimes before construction documents are fully complete. Identifying procurement priorities early allows projects to move forward without being constrained by supply chain delays. Strategic early ordering can be one of the most effective ways to protect schedule certainty on mission-critical projects.

Direct-to-chip cooling is a liquid-based cooling approach that delivers coolant directly to processors and high-density components. By removing heat at the source, this method improves thermal efficiency and enables higher rack densities compared to traditional air-cooled systems. It is increasingly used in advanced computing environments where power density exceeds the limits of conventional cooling.

Direct-to-chip cooling becomes most beneficial in environments supporting AI, high-performance computing, and other workloads with extreme heat loads. When air cooling can no longer support required densities or energy efficiency targets, liquid-based cooling strategies offer a scalable and efficient solution.

Direct-to-chip cooling starts with understanding rack densities, processor thermal loads, and the long-term compute roadmap driving heat generation. DMK evaluates whether liquid cooling is appropriate for the workload, then coordinates system architecture, coolant distribution units, piping, redundancy, and integration with the broader mechanical and electrical infrastructure. Permitting, vendor selection, and constructability are addressed early to ensure the system is reliable, scalable, and aligned with operational risk and uptime requirements.

Yes. DMK provides both on site and remote support depending on project needs. On site involvement may include site walks, coordination meetings, quality reviews, and progress monitoring as required by the engagement.

Cooling strategy influences building layout, mechanical systems, power density limits, redundancy planning, and long-term operational efficiency. Decisions made early in design directly impact scalability, operating costs, and the ability to support future technology changes. Aligning cooling strategy with long-term business objectives is critical.

DMK supports early-stage planning by evaluating constructability, utility coordination, procurement risks, and schedule constraints before construction begins. This front-end involvement helps align design intent with real-world execution, reducing uncertainty and improving decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

During construction, DMK provides owner-focused project support, overseeing schedule, cost, coordination, and risk management. By maintaining alignment between design teams, contractors, and vendors, DMK helps resolve issues quickly and keep projects moving forward without compromising quality or reliability.

DMK combines technical expertise, supply chain awareness, and execution-focused planning to help clients make informed decisions. This approach goes beyond traditional project management by reducing risk, protecting schedules, and supporting successful long-term operations.

Behind-the-meter power solutions begin with understanding your site’s load requirements, timeline, and utility constraints. DMK evaluates available generation options, fuel sources, interconnection limitations, and regulatory requirements, then coordinates with utilities, vendors, and local authorities to structure a compliant, financeable solution. The result is a power strategy that reduces grid dependency while maintaining reliability and cost certainty.

An onsite primary power solution is developed by aligning power demand, redundancy requirements, and operational goals with the right mix of generation, controls, and infrastructure. DMK leads feasibility analysis, utility coordination, permitting strategy, and vendor selection to ensure the system can legally and reliably serve as primary power. This approach allows owners to accelerate schedules, manage capacity risk, and maintain operational control over critical power infrastructure.

Transitioning from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries begins with evaluating your existing UPS system, runtime requirements, space constraints, and operational goals. DMK assesses compatibility with current electrical infrastructure, safety and fire protection requirements, and local code considerations, then coordinates with OEMs, AHJs, and utilities to define an upgrade path. This approach ensures the lithium system delivers improved lifecycle performance, reduced footprint, and lower maintenance without introducing reliability or permitting risk.