Building your dream dental or medical office requires attention to every detail. This information will guide you through the design and construction process and help you make the important decisions necessary to ensure the success of your project. We are, as always, at your service.
Contract Options for Design and Construction
Design/Build
- Owner contracts with Contractor to complete the process from start to finish.
- Contractor puts together a team of architects, engineers and subcontractors to take the project from design to completion.
- Team works closely to satisfy Owner’s needs within a pre-determined budget and schedule.
Cost Plus
- Owner hires Architect and Contractor.
- Contractor provides an estimate of building costs and builds the project for actual cost plus a fee.
- Owner realizes any savings during construction, but is responsible for any increased cost. This is a friendly and fair contract. Owner only pays for what he receives and Contractor makes a profit.
Design/Bid/Build
- Owner hires Architect and engineers to design the project.
- Owner bids the project with different contractors.
- Owner contracts with lowest priced Contractor to build the project according to the drawings and specifications provided.
- This method of contracting has the most potential for change orders. The Contractor only bids what is on drawings and specifications. Anything not shown has to be added as a change order. This can cause adverse conditions with all parties involved.
Selecting Your Contractor and Architect
Selecting Your Contractor
- Ask your friends, peers and dental or medical equipment supplier.
- Get to know them.
- Are they financially secure?
- Do they have the time and experience?
- How do they manage their projects?
- Who will be handling my project?
- What is their contract method and how do they bill you?
- How do they handle changes in the work?
- What is their warranty policy?
Selecting Your Architect
- How much experience do they have in dental or medical office design?
- How much experience does the architect have working with your contractor?
- Are personalities compatible?
- Have you determined a design style and is it compatible with Architect’s ability and experience?
- Do they have adequate staff to keep your design on schedule?
- Who are their consultants: civil, landscape, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers?
- How will they guarantee the project will be designed within your budget?
Site Selection
Building Site for New Facility
- Contractor and Architect visit site with Owner to review the following items:
- Is the lot suitable for construction? Rock, cut or fill soils?
- Will the building size fit the lot?
- Is adequate parking available for your staff and customers?
- Is there adequate area for the detention pond?
- Contractor and Architect review property Covenants and building regulations for exterior building materials to be used, codes for occupancy and setback requirements.
Lease Space for New Facility
- Contractor and Architect visit the space with Owner to observe the following items:
- What are existing conditions including columns and chases?
- Will available utility locations work with your design intent?
- What is lessor supplying for your space?
- Is adequate parking available for your staff and customers?
- How much signage is available for your use?
Design Process
Schematic Design
- Architect reviews the comprehensive physical program requirements that are prepared with Owner and staff involving the building, site development and analysis of equipment, IT needs and furnishings for the project.
- Owner selects their equipment supplier and IT personnel to work with Architect on the physical program.
- Architect and Contractor analyze and recommend the type of construction for the building or tenant finish based on the requirements.
- Architect prepares preliminary drawings based on the physical program requirements.
- Contractor prepares preliminary cost estimates based on the physical program.
- Progress meetings held with Contractor, Architect and Owner to review and approve schematic design.
Design Development
- Architect provides detailed information to bring the drawings to 60% completion.
- Architect and Contractor provide samples of finishes for interior and exterior.
- Contractor updates the budget from pricing from selected vendors and subcontractors.
- Contractor reviews and refines the project schedule.
- Progress meetings held with Owner, Contractor and Architect to ensure the design intent, budget and schedule are being met.
Construction Documents
- Architect prepares 100% construction drawings and specifications.
- Contractor establishes final cost estimate and project schedule.
- Architect obtains approvals of building and fire department officials, both city and state as applicable.
- With authorization from Owner, Contractor places early orders for long lead items.
- Owner finalizes construction loan; Contractor and Architect assist by providing documents.
Construction
- Contractor completes contracts with subcontractors and purchase orders with vendors.
- Contractor provides on-site supervision to insure quality control.
- Progress meetings are held with Owner, Contractor and Architect to review project progress, schedule and budget.
- Contractor, Architect and Owner review mill work shop drawings.
- Contractor and Architect review all shop drawings and submittals from subs and vendors.
- When rough-in of electrical and plumbing are installed, Architect, Contractor and Owner verify locations before drywall is installed.
- Architect inspects project at different stages to ensure the design intent is being met.
- Owner, Contractor and Architect prepare a punch list for finish or repair when the project is 98% complete.
- Contractor secures final inspection and certificate of occupancy.
- Contractor provides Owner with operations manuals, warranty information and training on equipment and materials used.
Completed Dental Offices
Dr. James W. Curtiss
Dr. Carroll Shanks
Dr. William F. Proffitt, Jr.
Drs. Doug and Cathy Smith
Dr. Walter Fain
Dr. Jeffrey Eberting
Dr. Drew Osborne
Dr. Darrell Cates
Dr. Ralph Copenhaver
Dr. Mark Crumpton
Dr. Kimberly C. Norman
Drs. Kevin Gross and Dwayne Gross
Dr. Eric Fugate
Dr. Joseph Hicks
Dr. Tim McConnell
Dr. Hope Watson
Drs. Micah and Christel Westmorland
Dr. James Madigan
Dr. D. Wayne Hughart
Dr. Darryl Phillips
Dr. Michael Bowman