![]() They will be able to help clarify your goals and show you past projects that are of a design level you are looking for and the costs that those have come in at. ![]() Before engaging with a contractor or signing on the dotted line for a loan approval, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced dental office design professional. You want to have a realistic number that aligns with your expectations of the office you want to build. The key to avoiding this is to be realistic about the actual costs of the project in the beginning of the design phase. cost: Sheetrock ceilings, an accent wall, and some decorative lighting. cost: lay-in ceiling tiles, no architectural detailing, some decorative lighting.Ībove: What a dentist is thinking they are getting for the $85/sq. When it was all said and done, he still spent the $125 per square foot, as we told him he would spend in the beginning, he just ended up spending it in a way that was much more difficult than it needed to be.Ībove: What a contractor is thinking for the $85/sq. Therein was the catalyst that would set his project on a course of frustration, stress, cost overruns, and ultimately an office of subpar quality for his expectations. He didn’t believe us and chose to move forward anyway, thinking that he could change what he needed in order to get his project to the $85/sq. After our interview with him and understanding of his design expectations and goals for the new office, we advised him that he should budget for around $125/sq. He thought that was a great number, got bank approval, and then called us and said he was ready to hire a design firm. One client of mine in particular said that he had gone to a contractor who told him he could finish out his interior space for $85 a square foot. Many clients make the mistake of taking the number from their contractor and going to the bank for funding before ever consulting a design professional. cost: lay-in ceiling tiles, rubber or carpet base, painted walls, custom cabinetry, multiple flooring types. cost: lay-in ceiling tiles, rubber or carpet base, painted walls, prefabricated cabinetry, builder-grade flooring.Ībove right: What a dentist is thinking they are getting for the $85/sq. Unfortunately, unless it is all spelled out through drawings and specifications, you do not know exactly what you will end up with (unless, of course, you want the exact same space they are quoting).Ībove left: What a contractor is thinking for the $85/sq. If they don’t know what your goal is with the architectural and interior design, they will base their estimate on previous projects they have done. ![]() They are, however, necessary to have in your overall budget, but are typically outside of the general contractor scope of service.Įven with a basic layout or floor plan for your office, all that a contractor can give you is a cost for a “generic” space. Equipment (dental units, computers, sound, and security) and furniture, as well as installation, are also generally not included in this estimate. This is a big-ticket item, so be sure to confirm this. They typically assume that it will be provided by your dental equipment supplier. Oftentimes, an initial estimate from a contractor who doesn’t have a set of plans will not include the dental cabinetry in their cost per square foot. The basic items involved in converting an interior space into a dental office that are covered in a cost-per-square-foot quote from a contractor are as follows: The physical construction (demolition, walls and ceilings, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, and sometimes cabinetry) and the finishes (paint, wall covering, and floor covering). For now, let’s focus on the interior finish-out costs for an existing space (like a strip center or medical development), which is what the majority of you will end up in, at least in some point of your career. There are numerous factors that go into determining the cost per square foot, and rarely is the contractor’s estimate going to buy what you are envisioning-not without a very detailed set of plans. The majority of people use a cost-per-square-foot model as a starting point to determine an overall budget. ![]() The first step is to determine a realistic budget. So, how do you make sure your money is well spent? However, where the money goes is up to you. Don’t get me wrong-it will likely be one of the biggest investments you will ever make. By that time, it is often too late to turn back.īut building a dental office doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Unfortunately for many people, the true cost is not known until the project is well under way. “ WHAT IS THIS GOING TO COST ME?" This is the question on everyone’s mind when they start thinking about building a new dental office. ![]()
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