If you’re looking to set up a new dental practice, you might be exploring the option of renovating an existing building in an attempt to cut costs. Before you get started, there are a few key considerations to take into account when it comes to designing and constructing dental fitouts. Taking the time to think about these benefits and drawbacks will save you time and money, as well as determine how soon your practice can be open for business.
In general, the cost of a basic fitout consisting of the most cost-effective options starts at around $2,500 per square metre. However, when renovating an old building, there are some important pros and cons to take into account.
Benefits of renovating an existing building into a dental surgery
While there are some occasions when renovating is a wise decision, it’s important to first have a comprehensive understanding of how your dental practice will operate, who your patients will be, and what kind of investment you are prepared to make before you dive in.
When launching into any new business venture, it’s crucial you research your local market and competitors in order to find a patient demographic or unique selling point that you can capitalise on. Having a clear idea of this will influence where the business is setup, how the build or renovation is designed, and how you’ll attract patients when you’re ready to open your clinic doors.
Premium location
If the existing building you’re looking at renovating offers a desirable location for a dental practice, it could be worth investing in undergoing renovations to leverage the business opportunities the site offers. The location of a dental practice has a significant impact on how many patients it brings in depending on parking, convenience, proximity, and demographic.
Character and style
In some cases, existing buildings offer charm and personality that could suit certain dental practices but can also lure a lot of new practice owners in during the search for the perfect site for their dental practice. Some dental professionals aim to improve the patient experience by creating a homely environment. By renovating a character home, for example, your practice could feel less clinical and commercial.
In saying that, it is possible to achieve this with a new build by integrating certain design elements that add warmth and comfort, like the natural timber and botanical theme in the Dental Artistry fitout.
Ownership
If you own an existing building and want to renovate it, sometimes the return on investment to do so is worthwhile. Unlike with a lease, ownership means you could balance out the cost of renovation with the eventual return you get when you sell it. However, this is a delicate balance, so it’s worth getting advice from industry experts with renovation and dental fitout experience.
Problems with renovating a dental practice
Despite the potential benefits of renovating an existing building, more often than not, renovating results in a more expensive and complicated fitout than fitting out a new or near-new building. So before you decide renovating is the route you want to take, here’s what you should consider.
Design limitations
By using an existing building, the design, layout, and functionality of your dental practice will be more limited. Where building new gives you the chance to design it exactly how you need it, existing buildings, particularly older ones, have structural walls, plumbing, wiring, and hidden issues that will inevitably restrict your options.
The optimal layout of sterilisation rooms and chairs isn't something to compromise in a dental practice where efficiency is paramount. With existing buildings, especially houses, this is guaranteed to be more of a challenge, and even if it is achievable, it will cost a lot more.
The layout of a dental practice is extremely important. For example, surgeries tend to be nearer the front of the building with staffing rooms or sterilisation rooms nearer the back. Patients are less likely to get lost or confused this way, and staff can finish their tasks without interruption.
Rewiring and replumbing
People often think using the bones of an existing building will save money, but in fact, this doesn’t take into account the need to strip everything back to be rewired and replumbed. The time taken to rip out the old walls, complete the new work, and then reline the walls often works out more costly than if you’d built it new.
Compliance with the Building Code
Another misconception is that an existing building only needs to meet the regulations from when it was originally built. But in fact, in all commercial dental buildings, the consent must comply with the current Building Code when any renovations are undergone. This includes a range of hidden costs such as improving accessibility, fire safety, and ventilation.
Since the Building Act was recently updated with some of the biggest changes in over a decade, many older buildings would require a significant amount of work to meet these new standards. These upgrades, especially since there are likely to be extensive, add up significantly in both time and money spent.
Hidden costs
It’s no secret that renovation projects are prone to hidden expenses and overspending, and it’s no different when setting up a dental practice. If you choose to renovate an existing building, the odds of experiencing costly delays and unforeseen problems are incredibly high and often not worth the risk.
For example, mould, leaks, asbestos, or obtaining permits could cost thousands to fix as well as cause unpredictable disruptions to the project. In these cases, your ability to open the practice and serve your patients will be delayed which will affect your reputation as well as your finances.
A new fitout on the other hand is more likely to be smooth sailing the whole way through with less chance for unexpected costs to arise and more likely to cost as originally quoted.
The cost of building a new dental practice
In most cases, building a new practice is a more efficient process with less stress, delays, and hidden costs. That’s because the design and build can be carefully planned and organised according to a strict timeframe.
Building new is more straightforward, predictable, and economical because it isn’t restricted by existing limitations or prone to unplanned complications. Because of this, starting fresh is often more cost-effective and less of a money drain than remodelling. Not only that, but the benefits of a faster, more consistent process allow you to open for business sooner which in turn increases profits and makes the entire process worthwhile.
For a detailed and personalised quote on fitting out your practice, contact Dentec today. You'll be guided from concept to result and ensure everything goes smoothly. You can also download our free inspiration guide to get some design ideas for your practice by heading to our resources page.
