A successful dental office remodel begins with extensive research and a concrete plan. Initiating a remodeling project without a proper understanding of what you want can easily lead to problems, wasting your time, money and resources. The most common problem with remodeling begins with the planning process. Planning allows you to set the groundwork for the project, including getting your finances in order. If you fail to plan, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Some of the biggest mistakes you can make during the planning process include:

Moving Too Fast

Making significant changes in your dental office without taking the time to decide exactly what you want is a recipe for disaster. You need to have a clear, long-term plan you can share with your contractor. Sometimes the plan requires you to break it down for easy management of the project. Take your time laying out the plan and communicating your expectations with your contractor. If you need to break down the remodeling into phases, create a plan, a timeline and a budget for each phase.

No Objectives

Every remodeling project begins with a concrete objective. For example, you need to decide whether you need more space, a different style, a safety upgrade, a new treatment room or a plumbing upgrade. Clear objectives make communication with your contractors and budgeting easier. They also help you measure the investment you are making, and the impact it will have on your bottom line in the short term, and the long-term benefits.

Unrealistic Expectations

Use the planning process to set clear expectations helps you create a productive relationship with your contractor. For example, the number of days you will need to close the practice to allow completion of the project or the time it will take to complete the project if your contractors come in only on the weekends. Clear expectations at the beginning of the project will guide your contract, which will act as a reference when settling disputes that may arise between you and the contractors in the course of the project.

Underestimation

Specification errors, miscalculations, excluded permits and changing market conditions can lead to inaccurate estimates. Such underestimations create costly overruns straining the relationship between you and your contractor. Make sure your contractor gives you a detailed quotation that accounts for any market changes that may affect costs especially for long- term projects. Additionally, budget for emergency costs you may overlook in the planning process.

Finances

Remodeling for your dental office costs money; failing to keep up with the financial needs of the project can stall the project and create unnecessary delays. Once you have the estimates, come up with a solid financing plan to ensure the project runs smoothly. This may include a loan, your savings or breaking down the project into phases so you have time in between to help you sort out the finances needed for the new phase. Make sure you communicate your financial situation with your contractor and come up with a consistent payment plan that gives you the flexibility and ease of mind you need for the remodeling.

The number one mistake you can make in the remodeling of your dental office is in the planning. Poor planning makes the remodeling process stressful, wasting your time and money. Your remodeling project needs a team of experts with experience working with dental offices; contact the contractors at HJT Design for the best construction services. They will guide you through the planning process and help you avoid mistakes that may affect your remodeling plans.