Fitting out a dental practice is a big investment, but exactly how much does it cost? Whether you have a new space to design or are renovating an existing building, you’ll have a range of factors to think about. These include the type of site it is, where the building is situated, the desired finish, and the type of equipment you need. This blog will give you all the information you need to understand what factors into the overall cost of a dental fitout.
How does the site of a dental practice affect the cost?
A major initial decision you’ll need to make for your new practice is the location. It’s important to be strategic about the site you choose as it will impact your visibility and accessibility as a business, as well as your ability to acquire and grow your patient base. But another consideration to factor into your location decision is that the site you choose will impact the upfront fitout costs you’ll need to pay.
When choosing between an empty commercial space, or a residential property, the fitout cost differences will be determined by the nature of the building itself and the extent of renovations and work needed to transform the place into a fully-functioning practice.
FItting out an existing house
A common misconception is that fitting out a house into a dental practice is more cost-effective than building new or fitting out a commercial space. However, when renovating a house there are many hidden costs and room for unexpected complications to arise once the project has begun. This type of fitout will require the building to be stripped back to the bones for rewiring and plumbing which requires large amounts of additional work and materials.
Fitting out a new site
On the flip side, fitting a newer space can often be a more efficient option. A relatively new building often means a blank canvas, enabling the space to be designed to suit the owner's vision perfectly. A newer space also eliminates the likelihood of unexpected pitfalls or expensive surprises to solve once the fitout begins.
Level of the building
If you’re looking at a multi-storey building to house your new practice, the floor level you choose will also impact fitout costs. For example, a groundfloor fitout is typically more expensive because it requires drilling into the concrete foundation to lay down service lines. If the foundation can’t be drilled into, a sub-floor will need to be built up to run the lines underneath which is an expensive process. On the other hand, first floors or above are often more affordable because lines can be laid into the ceiling cavity of the floor below instead.
It’s worth considering how the level you’re located on will impact the popularity of your practice with customers long term. For many businesses, being on the ground level means being more accessible, visible, and prominent which in turn means bringing in more patients. With this in mind, the initial higher costs might be worth it for the overall success of the practice.
How does interior design affect the price of a dental fitout?
Defining your budget will be significantly dependent on what kind of finish you want your dental fitout to have. Dental fitouts can range from a simple practice complete with the basic essentials needed to get up and running, to a high-end, architecturally designed practice with all the bells and whistles to impress.
A basic fitout, consisting of the most cost-effective options can start from around $2,500 per square metre. This option will meet the minimum requirements and tend to be more visually plain, but for some practices, this ticks all the boxes. You’ll need to consider what kind of patient demographic you are targeting, and whether or not the simplicity will suit them.
At the other end of the spectrum, a high-end fitout should expect a much higher premium to create a luxurious, welcoming, and appealing environment for your patients. But still pays off because patients are happier and more likely to be loyal to your practice and visit more regularly. At this end of the spectrum the sky’s the limit when it comes to cost.
How much does dental equipment cost?
Choosing your dental equipment is another integral part of the overall fitout cost that varies considerably depending on the model, quality, and specialised features of the equipment you choose.
For example, a dental chair can cost anywhere from $30k-$100k depending on its features and functions. A basic, entry-level chair can be as low as $30k, but won’t include any additional tools or functions. On the other end of the price spectrum, high-end chairs are optimised for functionality and specialised work, as well as having an appealing aesthetic design. The prices of these chairs range from $70k-$100k depending on their make and how many specialised features they have.
Another indispensable equipment asset is an X-Ray machine where again, the range of prices is broad. If you’re looking for a standard X-Ray you could be looking at spending around $30k, whereas a high-end CBCT X-Ray can cost over $100k. CBCT X-Rays are capable of creating 2D and 3D facial scans for in-depth analysis and treatment planning which might be worth the extra investment.
Dental equipment can vary in price depending on exactly how much value it offers your practice. You might find a basic setup is all you need, or you might find that investing more into your equipment will pay off long-term. Once you consider the prices for sterilisation tools, compressors, lighting, suction, and handheld tools, you could be spending anywhere from $150k to $500k on your equipment. The equipment you choose will depend on the needs and vision you have for your practice and will make all the difference to the success of the business.
Price range for a new dental practice fitout
Once you’ve considered all of the above factors for your dental fitout, you can gauge the rough pricing. As a baseline, you can get a basic fitout without equipment starting from $300-$350k. Alternatively, you can get an architectural fitout without equipment starting in the $500-$700k range and increase from there.
Of course, these prices are generalised and can’t be reliable indications for every dental fitout. With many variables that influence the price every fitout poses a different set of criteria and should be taken case by case. It's also important to note that with the cost of materials skyrocketing, and projected to continue to rise, prices will increase accordingly throughout the construction industries. That’s why it’s advised to get in touch with your fitout professionals early on to ensure you get everything you need within budget and access the best advice from industry experts.
The good news is, Dentec will work closely with you at the preliminary stages to help ensure the decision you make will optimise your fitout process and ensure the most cost-effective approach for your dental practice.
As part of your free site assessment and quotation from Dentec, you’ll receive:
- Extensive site evaluation.
- Budget estimates and cost breakdown.
- Risk assessment.
- Project timeline.
- Proposed plans, based on your priorities, often including visual renders.
Whether your budget is big or small, a Dentec fitout can be designed to meet your unique requirements. The team at Dentec is experienced at partnering with dental practices to design a fitout that suits all their needs, as well as stick to their budget.
To get a personalised quote for fitting out your practice, get a free assessment from Dentec. You’ll be guided through the process from concept to result and ensure it all goes according to plan. Alternatively, why not get some design ideas for your practice by downloading our free inspiration guide below.
