WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN VETERINARY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS?

by | Aug 6, 2021 | Working With Norwest Contractors | 0 comments

Constructing a vet office is unlike any other type of construction project. It involves a combination of creative thinking, advanced engineering, and evidence-based design to ensure maximum comfort for our furry friends and your employees. 

Whether you are opening a new vet office or expanding your current location, narrowing down the best veterinary construction contractors is key to your success. The right contractor can take a complicated expansion or new build-out and make it seamless by following the latest design principles and a detailed, step-by-step design process.

In this blog, we’ll share a few qualities to look for in the best veterinary construction contractors. As always, if you already know that Norwest Contractors are the people for the job, get in touch now so that we can talk about your project in greater detail. 

QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR IN THE BEST VETERINARY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Is this your first time working with veterinary construction contractors? Not a problem. Here are some qualities to keep an eye out for as you narrow down your search:

#1: AN UNDERSTANDING OF VETERINARY HOSPITAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS 

Whether your floor plan is small or large, a good vet office construction team knows how to maximize space and leave ample room for growth. At Norwest Contractors, we are sure to allocate room for all the extras you desire and the essentials, including but not limited to a:

  • Reception Area: This typically involves a small or large desk, a phone system, a computer for each receptionist, and file cabinets. No matter the space you have to work with, we’ll ensure this area is comfortable for your employees and organized for their convenience. 
  • Waiting Room: The waiting area is typically side by side with the reception area. It should provide room for four to five animals plus their owners for every vet. That will ensure no one has to stand while waiting for their turn. This space is one of the most important in the vet office, as it houses our furry friends from the beginning of the appointment and serves as a major first impression. Therefore, there should be plenty of room for chairs, benches, tables, and the works, as well as room for future growth. 
  • Exam Room: In general, 90 to 120 square feet is sufficient for each exam room. This provides room for animals, their owners, and the veterinarian to walk around with ease. It also allows space for additional team members to enter if a patient needs assistance with sedation, nail clipping, or another high-anxiety procedure. Each exam room should include a table, washing area, cabinet, and one to two seats. It should also be equipped with thick, sound-blocking materials to keep your conversations private and make the exam easier.  
  • Surgical Area: Plan to have AC in the room for improved comfort. You will want to have a separate room or area nearby for the vet and other team members to wash up before and after each procedure, as well as an additional place where the animal can recover in peace. 
  • Office: Every vet needs an office somewhere in the building they can reach without walking through the waiting area. Seeing patients before the appointment can cause people to ask you questions well before the appointment time, which can add up quickly and get in the way of your daily schedule. This office should be away from the lobby but located in close proximity to the patient exam area for convenience purposes.  
  • And More: This includes a pharmacy, grooming area, boarding area, storage room, business record office, laundry area, prep room, and beyond. Whatever you’re looking to add to your vet office, let us know, and we’ll talk about how you can work it into your budget. 

#2: VETERINARY INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTISE

Interior design affects both your patients and your employees. That makes it crucial during the construction process. Not to be confused with interior decorating, which involves adorning your office with key pieces that reflect your mission, the interior design promotes functionality. 

Interior designers account for every square inch of your office. They work with other contractors, such as electrical and plumbing, to ensure your design needs are met in the safest, most effective way possible. 

Vet interior designers are informed on where to install and place everything in your space, including but not limited to lighting, equipment, washing stations, and desks. The best veterinary office construction contractors in Portland collaborate with interior designers, and luckily for you, we have one on staff.

#3: STREAMLINED AND TRANSPARENT DESIGN PROCESS

At Norwest Contractors, we pride ourselves on constructing vet offices and other commercial projects from “smart to finish.” That means that we don’t just hold your hand from step one and take care of every step of construction, including helping you procure the necessary medical equipment and materials. 

We are efficient every step, helping you get the results you need at a reasonable timeline–all within legal parameters and industry guidelines.

START YOUR PROJECT TODAY | PORTLAND, OR

While we know you have other options when it concerns veterinary construction contractors, we’re grateful that you are considering us. Norwest Contractors has worked with a variety of vet offices throughout the Portland Metro area, helping take design visions to the next level. Will your vet office be next? Contact us today.

Need some ideas for your vet office construction? Check out our Portfolio. 

Also, we’ve compiled a few of our top blogs for vet offices. We hope they help make your construction experience that much smoother: 

Begin your veterinary office construction today by clicking HERE!