Updated: December 2022
Are you considering starting a new dental practice or expanding your existing business? If so, you are likely thinking about whether to renovate an existing practice, relocate, or commit to an entirely new build.
As you map out the future growth potential of your practice and decide whether designing a new dental space or optimising an existing one is the right option, it is important to remember that this decision is unique to your practice and there is no easy, one-size-fits-all approach.
Ultimately, this needs to be driven by your strategic plan and align with your long-term vision and goals. Whatever your long-term dental business goals may be, it’s important to accurately quantify the unique needs of your practice, its future growth potential, and most importantly, calculate a tangible return on investment.
Every dental practice owner wants a workspace that is maximally efficient, in addition to being an inviting and pleasant environment for both patients and staff. On your journey to a beautiful new or renovated dental practice, there are important factors that need to be considered.
What is the cost difference of building vs renovating a dental practice?
One of the first questions around the build-vs.-renovate decision is the cost differential. In most cases, building a new dental facility will cost more upfront than to renovating an existing dental practice. However, dental practice renovations of highly technical or complex buildings can cost almost as much as replacements.
To grasp the comparative financial impacts of the two options, it is important to accurately price the hard, soft, and hidden costs. These considerations must go deeper than just the initial design and construction costs and include the long-term operational costs of maintaining the space. Securing cost estimates from dental construction specialists as you begin to develop your construction/renovation plan will provide additional clarity.
Should I renovate my dental practice? For and against.
If you have your heart set on bringing new life to your existing dental practice, it’s important to ask yourself if your current building offers you the space, design flexibility, and the location that matches your long-term business objectives.
The condition and location of the existing infrastructure are often the biggest factors in evaluating the cost and feasibility of transforming a dental workspace. It is important to determine whether the facility can be expanded or updated to provide increased efficiencies in terms of building functionality, operations, staffing requirements and emerging technology.
The support towards dental clinic renovation is made in instances where:
- The dental practice is already positioned in a good location with ample parking
- Is in great condition structurally with good re-design potential
- It has the capacity and space to grow and adapt to fit the evolving needs of patient care.
In some cases, a dental practice simply may not be a good candidate for renovation because of age/obsolescence, however it is important to remember not to discriminate on age. An effective transformation can often achieve what is, in essence, a new building, internally and externally, often at a less cost in comparison to building new.
And why you may decide against renovating your dental practice…
Repurposing an existing dental practice requires advanced planning and implementation. Existing conditions and infrastructure obstacles have the potential to pose significant problems if not addressed correctly during design development. Where there are inherent limitations of existing facilities can make dental practice renovation an extensive and expensive undertaking.
Unpleasant surprises and hidden costs are also quite common in repurposing existing dental practices, especially around issues that are not initially apparent without penetrating ceilings or walls. Without being properly orchestrated, undertaking a dental clinic renovation has the potential to cause disruption and major downtime to daily practice operations. In most cases, a dental practice would be required to shut down completely for the length of the renovation.
A key question to consider is; how much extra space do you require as a business and how complex will that make the renovation project? If your existing facility has the capacity to accommodate replacement infrastructure, renovation may be the savviest choice. However, if significant structural changes and expansions are required – so much so that very little of the existing building will be retained – then building a new dental practice may be the most viable/ cost effective solution to your investment.
Face & Smile Ballarat
Optima was tasked with the creation of this unique dental practice in country Victoria, which involved the meticulous renovation of a heritage protected building.
Should I build a new dental practice? For and against.
Generally, building a new dental practice requires a larger financial investment than it does to renovate an existing one, but there are many reasons why many people choose to construct a new dental practice.
When you should consider building a new dental practice:
Lack of room to renovate for expansion, introduction of new equipment or services that require additional space, or building deficiencies and capacity issues are just some of the reasons. A new dental practice facility can also be a catalyst of a wide range of opportunities that may not be achievable with a renovation to an existing dental practice.
A clear and compelling advantage of designing and building your practice from the ground up is the complete flexibility and control it allows you to achieve your vision. This approach provides the opportunity to create a new space that meets your exact patient and practice requirements, rather than working within the constraints of an existing tenancy or building that has the same structure underneath the aesthetic improvements.
And why you may decide against building a new dental practice…
The cost for acquiring and developing new sites can be a determining factor, as well as the requirement to achieve planning approval and regulatory approvals. If the decision is made to construct a new dental practice while also operating from an existing site, there will be an added challenge in this operation as you transition from the old to new. In this situation, it is also important to consider the proximity to your existing patient base, and the potential of losing patients due to location issues.
In planning for your new dental practice, it is essential to keep your long-term strategic plan in mind. As specialist equipment and the needs of patient care continue to evolve, the focus on emerging technologies will need to remain a key consideration.
Hamilton Dentists
In search of a solution for a run-down site, Optima managed and delivered a stunning dental practice environment for Hamilton Dentists.
So… Should I build or renovate my dental practice?
Deciding whether to renovate a current dental practice or to build a new facility altogether can be an exciting yet stressful prospect. While there’s no clear-cut answer to apply to each facility or location, getting the right advice from the outset is key to a seamless design and construction phase, as well as setting you up for future success.
Talk to us about your project and get expert advice, as the OPTIMA team will work with you to map out your practice transformation and manage it from concept design to project completion.
See below for some answers to some common questions we get asked about building or renovating a dental practice:
How can I expand my dental business?
- Referral programs
- Community engagement
- Word of mouth driven by excellence in service and a comfortable dental practice environment
- Keep on top of latest technology and trends to reach your desired target market – e.g. digital marketing.
How can I make my dental practice more efficient?
- Redesign
- Systems and processes audit
- Reduce pedestrianism
- Improve patient and staff ‘flow’
Whether you choose to renovate a current facility to fit the evolving needs of patient care, or to build a new facility altogether, the OPTIMA team will work with you to map out your practice transformation and manage it from concept design to project completion.
Take the first step to realising a tailor-made dental environment to work and thrive. Contact us today.
