Categories
Dental Office Renovation

10 Tips for Getting Started with Dental Office Construction

 

Revamping your dental office design can represent a big step forward for your organization. An enhanced dental office layout can lead to better patient experiences, improved employee morale, and increased overall productivity among staff members.  However, before you start making calls and scheduling your dental office construction project, there are a few things that business leaders need to address first. Luckily, Key Interiors is here to help!

Here are 10 things you should do before embarking on dental office construction:

#1 Clearly Establish Your Goals & Plan for the Future

Arguably, the most essential part of a dental office construction project is getting a clear outline of the dentist’s goals in their new practice. Is it simply updating an existing space, or are you taking on a larger space and doing a full build-out? Are you looking to be able to tend to more clients at once? Will you want to add new technology needing a particular room or extra space? Will another doctor be joining your practice anytime in the next 10 years? Think ahead. There are many scenarios for which you should consider, including space.

#2 Review Your Budget

There’s a big difference between knowing how much you’re prepared to spend on a dental office construction project and knowing the availability of your funds to complete the project as desired. You should always have a range or an idea of how much money you have available before taking too deep of a plunge into planning a renovation. If you don’t, you could get entirely through the design phase and realize your available funds won’t cover it. 

Once you know how much money is available to you and preferably also an idea of how much you want to spend, make sure that whoever you decide to partner with as your dental office construction contractor discusses your financial options. There are always ways to save money in a renovation without sacrificing the ‘wow’ factor of your space.

#3 Permits & Working with Your Land

Depending on whether you rent your space or need to perform extensive dental office construction, you may be required to speak with a landlord or government official to gain clearance for your redesign project. For the most part, Key Interiors can handle local permits and approvals, but you still may need to work with your landlord if you don’t own your space. Obviously, you won’t get very far if the authorities don’t give you the green light, so don’t skip this step – it will only take longer and be more expensive.

#4 Choosing the Right Partner

Before choosing a company to work with throughout your design/build process, ensure your contractor has experience working with dental/medical facilities and has done dental office construction projects in the past. You may not think this has a significant impact, and the non-specialized contractor may mean well (and may come in the cheapest), but they will hit unexpected delays and costs due to a lack of experience in the industry. So many requirements and layout specifications are dental-specific that an industry expert is ready for, and these could throw a wrench in the project for an inexperienced contractor.

#5 Set a Timeline

Dental office construction projects can run the gamut from a few weeks to many months –– take time early in the process to work with your contractor to create the timeline you’d like while considering the extent of work needed. Establishing a realistic and detailed timeline that encompasses each phase of the construction process is imperative. Begin with a pre-construction phase involving site preparation, permit acquisition, and necessary demolitions. Factor in installing essential infrastructure such as plumbing and electrical systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Allocate time for selecting and procuring specialized dental equipment and technology, considering potential lead times. Collaborate closely with the contractor to promptly address any unforeseen challenges and streamline the construction timeline. By meticulously planning the project schedule, you can minimize disruptions to your dental practice and ensure a seamless transition to the newly designed office space.

#6 Plan for Disruption

Some dental offices can schedule construction on their office around regular work hours. Regardless, business leaders must plan for construction to disrupt certain parts of their office or their workday. Have plans ready for accepting patients even during times of peak construction. Some dentists may consider looking for temporary office space while construction is ongoing. If dental office construction occurs at a different location than your current practice, disruption should be minimal besides your needed input into construction & design decisions.

#7 Establish Contingencies

What happens if construction is delayed for two weeks? Or if a project goes over budget? Or if one or more aspects of your strategy need to be changed? Answering these questions may not be easy, but it’s essential to have contingency plans ready in case of emergencies. Implementing a comprehensive risk management strategy is essential to navigate unforeseen challenges effectively. Devise backup plans for potential delays, considering alternative construction schedules or temporarily relocating critical services. Establish a financial contingency fund to address unexpected budget overruns, ensuring the project stays on track without compromising quality. Regularly review and update the contingency plans as the project progresses, fostering adaptability and preparedness for any unexpected twists in the construction journey.

#8 Talk to Your Team

One of the best ways to create an office space your team loves is to speak directly with them. It may sound obvious, but the truth is that your employees may have ideas, concerns, and preferences that could help you along in the redesign process.

#9 Talk to Your Neighbors

Let your neighbors know if you’re planning construction on your property is always a good policy. This is particularly important if you expect construction crews to make noise that could bother nearby businesses or construction workers may take up public parking spaces.

#10 Call a Professional

If all of this seems like a lot of boxes to tick –– before construction even begins –– then you’re right! The good news is that companies like Key Interiors can help your organization pull off a dental office renovation seamlessly. We have years of experience working with dentists and other medical professionals, have extensive contacts in the construction industry, and can help you handle any logistical challenges that may arise during the redesign process. Contact us here for more information or to get started today!

Categories
ceiling design

Pros and Cons of Open Ceiling Design

 

open ceiling design

In the business world, appearances matter. They mattered ten years ago, they matter today, and they will continue to matter in the future. For many business owners, their office isn’t just their work headquarters –– it’s also a physical representation of their brand image and values. As such, office design choices can affect a company’s ability to grow, to attract customers and employees, and its bottom line. Today, we’ll take a closer look at a popular recent office renovation trend: open ceiling design. We’ll weigh the pros and cons associated with this stylistic choice to help you determine if it’s right for your company.

What is Open Ceiling Design?

An open ceiling, or “exposed structure” ceiling, is a ceiling that is not covered by panels or tiles. This means that open ceilings leave mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations exposed. Open ceiling design became popular in modern offices over the past 5-10 years. 

Open ceilings are the opposite of suspended or “drop” ceilings. Drop ceilings were the de facto ceiling design for decades in offices and drop ceilings act to cover mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations with panels or tiles. 

So, which style is better for your business? 

Open Ceiling Design Pros

Here are some of the key benefits associated with open ceiling design: 

  • Aesthetic appearance. First and foremost, open ceiling designs can look very sleek, modern, and just plain cool. Many business leaders embrace the industrial or “modern” vibe that open ceilings provide, and they create office designs that complement exposed ceilings. 
  • More space. If you want your office to look bigger than it actually is, then an open ceiling can help you do just that. Additionally, some companies may be able to utilize the extra vertical space in their workplace for storage purposes. 
  • Better lighting. High, open ceilings can allow for better lighting distribution throughout an office or retail space. 

Open Ceiling Design Cons

While open ceilings can look very sharp and provide businesses with extra space, they also present a number of potential issues for companies as well. 

  • Lack of sound control. High, open ceilings amplify sound and, in the worst situations, can actually create annoying echoes or sound reverberations in a work environment. A spray acoustical treatment, acoustic ceiling baffles or clouds, may need to be added as a sound control solution. This can be a considerable additional cost to the project.
  • High heating/cooling costs. Exposed ceilings can contribute to higher utility bills because of the extra energy needed to cool/heat more space.
  • Need for immediate maintenance. Since open ceilings have no cover, business leaders will be forced to fix any maintenance issues on their ceilings immediately. 

Are Open Ceilings a Good Investment? 

Under the right circumstances, an open ceiling design can be a great way to complete a modern/industrial office renovation. Open ceilings can be eye-catching and may bolster the look-and-feel of a progressive workspace. An open ceiling may or may not cost more than a traditional drop ceiling since ceiling price depends on various factors (labor costs, installation fees, etc.).

Alternatively, business leaders who are concerned about high energy costs or the lack of sound control associated with an open ceiling may be better off with a drop ceiling. And, of course, some offices just look better with a covered ceiling. It really depends on the situation!

Contact Us

Not sure if an open ceiling would improve the appearance of your workspace? Then get in touch with the pros at Key Interiors for some expert advice. Our team has years of experience working with a wide range of companies, and we can help you design and build the perfect office for your business. Contact us here to learn more!

Categories
breakroom design Office Design

12 Considerations for Office Breakrooms

 

considerations for office breakrooms

Frequent readers of our blog will note that we’ve talked a lot about breakrooms recently. However, that’s simply because the breakroom is an integral aspect of quality office design. Breakrooms provide people with much-needed space to unwind, snack, chat with coworkers, and refocus during the work day. As such, today we’re going to take another look at this important office area. Here are 12 considerations for office breakrooms that business leaders should keep in mind at all times: 

Coffee Areas

If there’s one thing that employees across all industries value in their breakroom, it’s a quality coffee station. Make sure that your team has everything they need for a good cup of joe in the morning!

Clean Up

Cleanliness is key to a positive work environment. So it’s important for business leaders to prioritize tidiness in their breakroom. Encourage your staff to clean up after themselves and hire a cleaning crew to service your office if need be. Also, installing a sanitizing station in your breakroom might also be a good idea –– for both the short and long term. 

Capacity

Successful companies sometimes undergo rapid growth. Take time to ensure your breakroom is big enough to accommodate everyone on staff. (This concern is worth highlighting particularly while COVID restrictions still apply.)

Refrigeration Needs

Plain and simple, every good breakroom should have a fridge for employees to store lunch items and leftovers. Even a mini-fridge can make a world of difference for a small business. If you choose to provide a refrigerator of some sort, consider power needs and possible water lines if your appliance has a dispenser.

Mood

The design and decor of your breakroom can have a big influence on how your team members feel about it. Remember, the best breakrooms allow people to relax and decompress when they feel stressed. 

Millwork

There’s no substitute for quality craftsmanship when it comes to woodwork such as tabletops or counters in breakrooms. 

Waste Control

Want to guarantee your breakroom stays neat and tidy at all times? Then invest in waste control measures. This can include purchasing extra receptacles for your breakrooms or merely creating a policy of taking out the trash on a regular basis. 

Warming Stations/Microwaves

Having a stovetop, oven, and/or microwave will be hugely beneficial for employees who prefer to make their own meals while at work. Heating up some leftovers can lift an employee’s spirits when they need it most. 

Budget

Creating a breakroom that everyone in your office loves is a tall task. Managing to do that on a tight budget is even more difficult. Thankfully, a little creativity can go a long way toward resolving this issue. 

Seating/Eating Areas

As we touched on before, setting out your breakroom seating arrangement can be especially challenging now because of COVID restrictions. Nevertheless, breakrooms should have plenty of spaces for your team to eat alone or safely with their coworkers.  

Easy-Clean Flooring

Breakrooms can get messy. Do yourself a favor and invest in a floor surface that is easy to clean. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did. 

Custom Appliances

No two offices are the same! Be willing to purchase custom appliances if your team requests them. Investing in a dishwasher, an oven, a blender, a TV, a video game console, or any other sort of device for your breakroom could serve to seriously boost morale around the office. At the end of the day, it’s your breakroom, and you can do whatever you want with it. 

Contact Us

No matter the size of your breakroom, your budget, or your renovation goals, our team at Key Interiors can help you enhance all areas of your office space in a meaningful way. Contact us here to learn more or to get started with us today.

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