Construction costs are higher than ever. Couple that with the severe delays from the supply chain problems and you have one of the worst construction climates in US history. Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) that include your project budget established one or more years ago are likely to come up short of the funds they need, due to current high inflation and escalation rates. The supply chain issues are adding months and costs to your stressed plans. With no relief in sight, what can you do to proceed successfully in this environment? This session will first briefly examine what has occurred to station construction prices and delivery schedules over the last few years. Then, reviewing examples and lessons learned from a Public Safety design firm’s experience of over fifty years, we will explore the methods and options utilized by many fire departments to plan and build a functional, durable, low-maintenance facility without “busting the budget”.