Review your requirements
- Develop a clear idea of what you want.
- Consider what your vision is for your new office: theme, level of finishes, and the like?
- List the total number of your employees in order to be able to design all proper needs for your office: Dentist(s), hygienists, chair side assistants, business office personnel.
- Reception room seating requires two seats per treatment room.
- Do you need a business office and consultation area? What are the number of treatment rooms and hygiene rooms?
- How many of the treatment rooms and hygiene rooms will be furnished at completion? You can finish some of the treatment rooms in the future.
- What are the sizes of the treatment rooms for any specialists? What equipment will be required?
- The size of your lab – Depends on functions performed: models, repairs, adjustments.
- Review with your dental supplier the square footage and set up needed to meet your requirements.
Approximate Square Footage Needed
Vestibule,Waiting Room,Reception,Business Office,Consultation,Pan,Treatment Rooms,Steri, Lab,Doctor’s Private Office,Staff Lounge,Two ADA Bathrooms, Mechanical & Storage Room or Server Closet
| Location | # of Chairs | Approx. Space Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront | 3 chairs | 1200 – 1400 Sq. Ft. |
| 4 chairs | 1400 – 1600 Sq. Ft. | |
| 6 chairss | 2000 – 2400 Sq. Ft. | |
| Professional Building | 3 chairs | 900 – 1200 Sq. Ft. |
| 4 chairs | 1200 – 1400 Sq. Ft. | |
| 6 chairs | 1800 – 2000 Sq. Ft. |
- Meet with your accountant/ consultant to establish a budget, and how much you will be able to invest in your new office. Review if you should lease or own your space.
- Meet with a commercial broker experienced with dental offices, to find location for your new dental office.
After choosing a location for your new office
- Inquire how many square feet are available and the dimensions of the property to meet with your requirements.
- Ask for a list of the developer/management company responsibilities.
- If you select a storefront location: Inquire if there are installed: sprinkles/fire alarms, signage. Never select red as a color for any dentist signage.
- If you select a professional building: same inquires as a storefront plus: are there common bathrooms, HI/LO water coolers & janitors closets?
- Check parking availability and zoning for property.
- Ask if you can hire a non-union construction company or you are required to have a union company.
- Have your dental equipment supplier provide you with a floor plan and equipment cost for the space.
- Meet with contractor who is well qualified and has extensive experience in dental office build-outs to provide you with an estimate.
- The quality of the contractor’s service will show the quality of the finished product and your satisfaction with it. Make your decision on selecting a contractor based on professionalism and communication skills, not price.
- The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the joy of a low price is forgotten.
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- Review estimate with the contractor. If changes are necessary have the contractor revise estimate.
- Meet your banker to review financing for the space, build-out, dental equipment and working capital.
- Meet with a lawyer who is experienced in writing dental office leases and purchases.
- Prior to signing a lease, have your selected contractor look at the property to see if there are any more needs aside from the normal scope of work. Your contractor will provide the information to you and your lawyer for lease negotiations.
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