5 IT pitfalls that cost hotels thousands during refurbishments

Hotel refurbishments are the perfect time to modernise your property, improve guest experience, and upgrade technology. But many UK hotels overlook one critical element — IT infrastructure.

When IT planning falls behind interior design and construction, the result can be costly rework, project delays, and operational disruption.

At Median IT, we specialise in hospitality IT project management across the UK, helping hotels avoid expensive mistakes and build technology that supports long-term growth.

Here are five IT pitfalls that can quietly drain your refurbishment budget — and how to avoid them.

1. Leaving IT Out of Early Refurbishment Planning

One of the most common mistakes hotels make is leaving IT decisions until the end. Without early planning, vital infrastructure such as network cabling, server rooms, and access points are often missed from architectural designs.

💸 The cost: Retrofitting IT systems can increase project costs by 20–30% and delay your reopening.

✅ Avoid it: Engage an IT project manager from the start. We coordinate with your architects and contractors to ensure IT systems are built in from day one — not bolted on later.

2. Underestimating Wi-Fi Requirements for Modern Guests

Reliable Wi-Fi is now a core guest expectation, not an amenity. Yet many hotels still underestimate how many devices guests connect or how much bandwidth modern travellers need.

💸 The cost: Poor Wi-Fi impacts online reviews and guest satisfaction, leading to lost bookings and expensive upgrades post-launch.

✅ Avoid it: Commission a professional wireless site survey before construction begins. At Median IT, we design high-performance Wi-Fi for hotels in the UK, ensuring full coverage for guests, staff, and smart devices.

3. Overlooking System Integration During Upgrades

Your hotel’s PMS, POS, CCTV, door locks, and lighting systems must all integrate seamlessly. During refurbishments, vendors often work in isolation, creating compatibility issues that surface during reopening.

💸 The cost: Poor system integration leads to downtime, staff frustration, and disjointed guest experiences.

✅ Avoid it: Use a central IT integrator to manage all technology vendors. We oversee configuration and testing to ensure every system works together — before your first guest checks in.

4. Neglecting Cybersecurity During Construction

Temporary networks and unsecured devices are common on construction sites — and a hacker’s dream. Without proper safeguards, sensitive guest and business data can be exposed or lost during refurbishment.

💸 The cost: Under UK GDPR, a single data breach can result in serious fines and long-term brand damage.

✅ Avoid it: Implement secure, segregated networks during all refurbishment stages. Median IT ensures your systems remain compliant and protected throughout the project.

5. Failing to Future-Proof Hotel Technology

Technology evolves rapidly, and what works today may be obsolete in two years. Many hotels cut corners on IT infrastructure during refurbishments, only to pay more later to catch up with guest expectations and emerging technologies.

💸 The cost: Short-term savings can lead to expensive upgrades and missed innovation opportunities.

✅ Avoid it: We design future-proof hotel technology solutions with scalable cabling, cloud platforms, and IoT-ready networks that grow with your business.

Plan IT First — Not Last

At Median IT, we help hotels across the UK plan, implement, and manage technology that enhances operations and guest experience.

Our hospitality IT project management services ensure your refurbishment stays on time, on budget, and ready for the future.

💡 Planning a hotel refurbishment?
Let’s talk about how we can help you avoid costly IT pitfalls and deliver a smooth, connected guest experience.

👉 Contact us today.

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