If you don’t own your property, you will need to get approval from your landlord before you start any work. You may not need to do this if you aren’t making any structural changes – consult your contract, but it’s worth consulting your landlord before making any changes.
Ensure you have the funds to cover any dental surgery refurbishment project – do your research carefully and calculate your expected expenses. Consult your bank or potential investors to understand what level of investment is achievable.
To save costs you could opt to project manage the refurbishment project yourself, but be prepared, it’s not a task to be undertaken lightly. A specialist dental refurbishment company will have knowledge of the legal requirements, planning processes and building regulations as well as the best tradespeople and equipment suppliers for the job. They’ll also have experience in getting the most from the space available and how to design a practice that is ergonomically optimised. Although it may involve a larger outlay initially, bringing in experts will avoid you making any costly mistakes which could cost you far more in the long run.
When planning your surgery layout, look at what currently works well vs what could be improved. Discuss with your team what changes they would like to see that would help them in their working day. Bespoke cabinetry is a popular way to ensure your surgery is developed to meet your exact needs in terms of layout and storage. Materials must be fit for purpose and be of medical grade where necessary – e.g. for floors and cabinets (again, an area where your refurbishment company, if used, will be able to advise).
As well as practical considerations, it’s also important to consider the aesthetic design of your practice. From flooring to wall colours, your interior design decisions make a statement about your practice and the clientele you are hoping to attract.
Most refurbishment projects will cause at least some disruption. Careful planning can help minimise this – for example, planning your refurbishment during one of your quieter periods. Again, using a specialist company can help minimise the duration of a project as they will be used to coordinating works.
