We will continue to work on your floor plan together until it is exactly what you want. Once we have the plan right where you want it we will hand it off to the contractor so they can start working on their bid. If you are working with a dental contractor we will want to involve them in the design as well. They have built so many dental offices that they will probably have some great ideas.

Once we have your floor plan designed we will be selecting your equipment. At this point we have already had a number of conversations around how you want your equipment set up. We will have designed your operatories around your needs. We need to start finalizing those choices. Different types and brands of equipment have different requirements. For us to start the construction documents we supply to your contractor or architect we will need to finalize all of those choices.

You probably already have to a pretty good idea of who you will be selecting to be on your Dream Team. Now is the time to formalize agreements with everyone if you haven’t already. You will have everyone's bids and proposals and now it is time to sign on the dotted line so the real work can begin.

It can take 2 weeks to a month for your architect to incorporate the drawings we give them with all the other requirements they are designing for your new space. They may make some minor changes as well based on local codes.

To this point, your entire Dream Team and you have had a lot of contact. Now we are at the mercy of the local building department. I hate to say it, but your permits could take anywhere from a month to 5 months to come through. We will be able to continue to do some work on your project but will mainly be in a holding pattern until the permits arrive.

Your permits have finally come in and we are ready to get started. It’s time for the layout meeting. Your contractor, subcontractors, myself, and hopefully you will all be at this meeting. This is when we lay out every piece of equipment going into your new office. We will want your input on some of the smaller details as we go through this meeting so it is good for you to be there. When this meeting is over we will all be on the same page and moving the same direction so your project can get started.

It will usually take about 120 days to build your Dream Office from the time construction starts. It can take longer if we run into unexpected issues during construction. You will probably have a lot of conversations with your job’s superintendent during construction. I will be continuing to drop by the site and make sure everything is being put in the exact right spot.

I will always do an inspection before the trenches are back filled and before the walls are closed up. I pride myself in finding issues when they are small and easy to fix instead of big, expensive, and time consuming. Most issues that come up you will never even know about. Your Dream Team and I will work to solve problems together, whenever we can, to keep the stress off your plate.

A month before construction is complete we will schedule your equipment install. This needs to be scheduled at least a month early and can not easily be moved. It is very important that we stay on schedule once we schedule your installation. If construction runs over by a week, at this point, it is very possible your install may have to be pushed out another 2 weeks to a month. We work with your Dream Team to make sure nothing disrupts the schedule at this point.

Once the entire space is finished, you will have your final inspection. If all goes well you will be allowed to start moving in. Sometimes there are some minor issues that need to be addressed but they are usually small and pretty quick fixes.

Now that you have your certificate of occupancy, we are ready to train you on your new equipment before opening day. We will have our manufacturer’s reps schedule time with you and your team to go over operation and maintenance of all of your new gear.

On opening day, we schedule a technician at your office, free of charge, to make sure your first day goes smoothly. Your new equipment may need some small adjustments and a tech will be there to help you.

With new equipment and new construction there will be some small issues that need to be addressed within the first month or two. When you discover something that needs adjustment please write it on your pinch list. Once you have a few items that need to be taken care of, call us or your contractor and we will come out to take care of them for you. Usually after a month or two everything will be running perfectly smooth.

All your time, effort, and investment have finally paid off. Your patients are blown away and they can see how important their care is to you as evidenced by your Dream Dental Office. Enjoy your career of helping people and prosper!