Q. Why would I want to use you? Most of the optical display companies will do free floor plans. My builder will do all the other drawings from there.
A.That's an excellent question so let me take the time to give you a thoughtful answer.
You are right, anybody can give you a plan. It's like the old joke about doctors: "Do you know what they call the guy who graduates dead last in his class in medical school?... they call him doctor." Yes, anybody can draw you a plan.
My plans do two things better than anybody else's plans: 1) make the most money possible, every year, for the life of the office and, 2) give patients and staff a great feeling about being in the space that goes beyond the lighting, the colors, and the style.
Some people think so much of my designs that when they want to sell their practice they advertise it as a "Barbara Wright designed office." Once a practitioner has had me design a space for them they often have me do their second, third and all their succeeding offices. (My clients tend to be very successful people.)
My initial design helps them to outgrow the first office so they can step up with confidence to a bigger one. This is true especially if they value their time during the planning process, want to increase their profit per square foot and value the feel of their space no matter what the size.
These days managed care is forcing every practice to operate at peak efficiency or be left in the dust. Your level of efficiency is either built-in or botched in the floor plan design. If you make mistakes in your floor plan, you'll have to live with them for the next 10 years or more because they are too costly or downright impossible to correct later.
Some people, however, save a few dollars, get a free floor plan design and never realize what it cost them. They may have saved a few thousand dollars up front by not using me but passed up the typical 20% to 30% increase in profit possible from one of my designs vs. the free one done by a “no-name” designer.
Let's be conservative and say that the average additional profit from my design is just $200. per day. If a practice is open 20 days per month that's an extra $4,000. per month or a total of $48,000. possible profit increase in the first year alone. Over a 10-year office life span, that means $480,000. that never materializes, all because they tried to save a few bucks.
I recently spoke with a client whose office I designed four years ago. He reported that the practice experienced a 25% increase in the first year alone, but subsequently has grown another 25% in the second and third year, as well. It looks like the fourth year will be the same story. This phenomenal growth went way beyond his expectations.
Those “free” designs are offered by fixture manufacturers with the expectation that you will buy the company’s pricey products. Most practitioners realize that the plan is not really free and that it's liable to be worth little more than what you paid for it.
If you are in a moderate to low income area, have a very small space to work with, have no concerns about staff turnover, and have no intention of optimizing your profit per square foot of floor space... then you don't need me.
If optimizing your profit and the feel of your space is critical for you then I am the best deal going and we should talk further. This is especially true if your time is worth the $500+ per hour that I suspect it is and your specialty is not office design; it takes precious few mistakes to blow both your budget and your time.
If you still want to try doing it yourself, my book Ophthalmic Office Design Guide can help you. But if you want to be certain your new office will be a model of efficiency that pulls in maximum revenue for you, then give me a call toll-free: 888-422-0361
Let's discuss your project and your goals. Then you can make an informed decision on whether investing in top-notch office design makes sense for you.
November 11, 2006
November 10, 2006
Which Building Shape Is Best?
From Ask The Expert:
Q. My building started out 60 X 40. Told the builder I needed about 3200 sq ft. I would prefer the building be made longer, wider or both to make the size.The builder wants to make the building the size I need by adding a 25 by 30 extension on the back (he had his architect draw this in with a kitchen, Dr offices and Flex Future Lab). I faxed this plan to your office and want to get your help with my design.
My question is this, am I correct that a square or rectangular building will work better (better design potential and less heating/cooling problems because the addition has 3 exposed walls) than a building with an addition on the back. Next, if I can't have the exterior design changed, because of building position, set backs or what ever, how much of a problem do you see designing a well working building with the back addition.
A. Regarding the plan you sent, an L-shaped building footprint would not be my first choice. An "L" shaped plan cannot be as efficient as a rectangular or square shape. It will require more hallway space. That creates extra steps for you and your staff.
Heating and cooling an L-shaped building should not be a problem as long as your architect gets a good mechanical engineer to design the system properly. You might want to consider having a system with 2 or 3 zones that can be regulated separately.
If there is no other choice because of setbacks or other factors, I can certainly work with that shape and give you the most efficient patient flow possible within those confines. Putting staff rooms (lab, breakroom, private offices, storeroom, etc.) in the back leg of the "L" is usually the best solution. We'll keep all the patient traffic in the main part of the building so you'll still be super-efficient where it counts.
A rectangular or square shape is preferred because it enables me to make the best use of every square foot. It requires less hallway space which means more space devoted to patient care and less steps for you and the staff. The closer the shape of the building is to a perfect square, the easier it is to achieve the coveted one-way circular patient flow that is a big contributing factor to high productivity.
Sometimes the final shape of the building is dictated by factors that we cannot change, such as set-backs, irregular lot shape, easements, driveway requirements, etc. If that's the case I will wrestle the footprint of your building into the most advantageous size and shape possible despite the restrictions.
I'm delighted to be working with you and I'm very glad you brought me on board at the beginning of the project. Now I'll be able to coordinate my work with your architect to make your patient flow perfect and your dispensary a visual drawing card for your practice.
Q. My building started out 60 X 40. Told the builder I needed about 3200 sq ft. I would prefer the building be made longer, wider or both to make the size.The builder wants to make the building the size I need by adding a 25 by 30 extension on the back (he had his architect draw this in with a kitchen, Dr offices and Flex Future Lab). I faxed this plan to your office and want to get your help with my design.
My question is this, am I correct that a square or rectangular building will work better (better design potential and less heating/cooling problems because the addition has 3 exposed walls) than a building with an addition on the back. Next, if I can't have the exterior design changed, because of building position, set backs or what ever, how much of a problem do you see designing a well working building with the back addition.
A. Regarding the plan you sent, an L-shaped building footprint would not be my first choice. An "L" shaped plan cannot be as efficient as a rectangular or square shape. It will require more hallway space. That creates extra steps for you and your staff.
Heating and cooling an L-shaped building should not be a problem as long as your architect gets a good mechanical engineer to design the system properly. You might want to consider having a system with 2 or 3 zones that can be regulated separately.
If there is no other choice because of setbacks or other factors, I can certainly work with that shape and give you the most efficient patient flow possible within those confines. Putting staff rooms (lab, breakroom, private offices, storeroom, etc.) in the back leg of the "L" is usually the best solution. We'll keep all the patient traffic in the main part of the building so you'll still be super-efficient where it counts.
A rectangular or square shape is preferred because it enables me to make the best use of every square foot. It requires less hallway space which means more space devoted to patient care and less steps for you and the staff. The closer the shape of the building is to a perfect square, the easier it is to achieve the coveted one-way circular patient flow that is a big contributing factor to high productivity.
Sometimes the final shape of the building is dictated by factors that we cannot change, such as set-backs, irregular lot shape, easements, driveway requirements, etc. If that's the case I will wrestle the footprint of your building into the most advantageous size and shape possible despite the restrictions.
I'm delighted to be working with you and I'm very glad you brought me on board at the beginning of the project. Now I'll be able to coordinate my work with your architect to make your patient flow perfect and your dispensary a visual drawing card for your practice.
October 21, 2006
C.L. Training in a Small Office
Q. Just wondering, I am buying a 1002 sq. ft office and wondering if I should have a separate CL fitting room or incorporate it into my dispensary??? I will have two exam rooms with a pre-test room.
A. When you put two exam rooms into a 1002 sq. ft. office it is definitely a challenge to find space for a C.L. Fitting/Training Area.
From the patient's point of view, learning how to insert and remove contacts can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Doing this in the dispensary in view of other patients would only add to their discomfort. Therefore, I do not recommend it.
Here are several better possibilities for the location of your C.L. Training Area:
1. A nook or widened space in a hallway, away from the dispensary
2. A small table in one of the exam rooms
You don't need a separate room for C.L. Training, but you do need a place that is semi-private and away from the front office (Reception/Waiting/Dispensary) area.
A. When you put two exam rooms into a 1002 sq. ft. office it is definitely a challenge to find space for a C.L. Fitting/Training Area.
From the patient's point of view, learning how to insert and remove contacts can feel awkward and uncomfortable. Doing this in the dispensary in view of other patients would only add to their discomfort. Therefore, I do not recommend it.
Here are several better possibilities for the location of your C.L. Training Area:
1. A nook or widened space in a hallway, away from the dispensary
2. A small table in one of the exam rooms
You don't need a separate room for C.L. Training, but you do need a place that is semi-private and away from the front office (Reception/Waiting/Dispensary) area.
October 10, 2006
Color Scheme Struggle
From Ask The Expert:
Q. I am struggling with my selection of a color scheme and time is running out. I have purchased used mahogany frame boards and I like classic design features. Would a selection of earth tones be in my best interest? I am considering a sand neutral for the majority of the public areas and white for the exam rooms. I am also considering a brick red to compliment the sand on one wall in the dispensing area.
What do you think? I am also concerned because my contractor wants me to go ahead and paint before selecting counter tops and floor coverings and I think I should do it the opposite due to the fact that you can always match paint up to your other selections.
Your book has helped me immensely! Thanks! Chris
A. The professional way to create a color scheme is to start with the carpet. Choosing a multi-hued carpet with an overall pattern or texture is the easiest path to a good color scheme because the carpet designer has already chosen colors that look great togther. Once you have a carpet that you love, you can pick out colors from the carpet to match or blend your plastic laminates (Formica) , paint, wallcoverings and other floor coverings like tile or vinyl.
Selecting paint first and then trying to find a carpet later is a recipe for disaster. Your idea of a sand neutral and brick red accents with mahogany cabinets can work very nicely, but I strongly recommend that you find a carpet that has the sand and brick colors in it first. Then you can match up the paint to the colors in the carpet and it will all look good together.
White is a color that can be very tricky to work with. There is a wide range of shades of white with subtle differences that the untrained eye may not pick up from looking at a paint chip. There are warm whites, cool whites, creamy whites, greyed whites and more. With your sand and brick color scheme you will have to be careful to stay on the warm side of the spectrum with your sand tone. I'd recommend going with a cream or ivory shade of white.
The wrong shade of white could make your office look harsh and cold. You would benefit from getting some professional assistance in putting together your color scheme. Don't let the contractor bully you into putting paint colors on the walls before you have selected your carpet and other elements (plastic laminates, tile, vinyl, wall covering, etc.)
Paint colors are the LAST thing to select because you must be sure you get the exact shade that will blend with all your other choices.
Q. I am struggling with my selection of a color scheme and time is running out. I have purchased used mahogany frame boards and I like classic design features. Would a selection of earth tones be in my best interest? I am considering a sand neutral for the majority of the public areas and white for the exam rooms. I am also considering a brick red to compliment the sand on one wall in the dispensing area.
What do you think? I am also concerned because my contractor wants me to go ahead and paint before selecting counter tops and floor coverings and I think I should do it the opposite due to the fact that you can always match paint up to your other selections.
Your book has helped me immensely! Thanks! Chris
A. The professional way to create a color scheme is to start with the carpet. Choosing a multi-hued carpet with an overall pattern or texture is the easiest path to a good color scheme because the carpet designer has already chosen colors that look great togther. Once you have a carpet that you love, you can pick out colors from the carpet to match or blend your plastic laminates (Formica) , paint, wallcoverings and other floor coverings like tile or vinyl.
Selecting paint first and then trying to find a carpet later is a recipe for disaster. Your idea of a sand neutral and brick red accents with mahogany cabinets can work very nicely, but I strongly recommend that you find a carpet that has the sand and brick colors in it first. Then you can match up the paint to the colors in the carpet and it will all look good together.
White is a color that can be very tricky to work with. There is a wide range of shades of white with subtle differences that the untrained eye may not pick up from looking at a paint chip. There are warm whites, cool whites, creamy whites, greyed whites and more. With your sand and brick color scheme you will have to be careful to stay on the warm side of the spectrum with your sand tone. I'd recommend going with a cream or ivory shade of white.
The wrong shade of white could make your office look harsh and cold. You would benefit from getting some professional assistance in putting together your color scheme. Don't let the contractor bully you into putting paint colors on the walls before you have selected your carpet and other elements (plastic laminates, tile, vinyl, wall covering, etc.)
Paint colors are the LAST thing to select because you must be sure you get the exact shade that will blend with all your other choices.
September 10, 2006
I Want A New Office...Where Do I Begin?
From Ask The Expert:
Q. I am a solo ophthalmologist who has been in practice for 6 years and have rented space within a family practice office. I have now outgrown the rented space and would like to move on up to about 1600-2000 sf for me with room for a dispensary and another office or two to rent out. What is the best way to start looking and creating the office of my dreams? (or the one that I can afford). I know this is a vague question but I 'm at a loss for how to begin this journey.
A. You need to do some business and financial planning before you'll be able to really start down the road to your dream office. Knowing what you can realistically afford is the first step. Otherwise you have no way of evaluating whether a location is a real possibility for you.
I'd suggest speaking to a few different practice consultants about what you want to accomplish. Then select the one who seems best able to guide you in putting together a business plan for your practice.
You will most likely need a loan to build your new office and the bank will require a good business plan (and the track record of your current practice) in order to approve the loan. In the course of putting together the business plan you can do some preliminary scouting for office space and find out what the rental rates are in your desired area.
Good luck with your new office!
Q. I am a solo ophthalmologist who has been in practice for 6 years and have rented space within a family practice office. I have now outgrown the rented space and would like to move on up to about 1600-2000 sf for me with room for a dispensary and another office or two to rent out. What is the best way to start looking and creating the office of my dreams? (or the one that I can afford). I know this is a vague question but I 'm at a loss for how to begin this journey.
A. You need to do some business and financial planning before you'll be able to really start down the road to your dream office. Knowing what you can realistically afford is the first step. Otherwise you have no way of evaluating whether a location is a real possibility for you.
I'd suggest speaking to a few different practice consultants about what you want to accomplish. Then select the one who seems best able to guide you in putting together a business plan for your practice.
You will most likely need a loan to build your new office and the bank will require a good business plan (and the track record of your current practice) in order to approve the loan. In the course of putting together the business plan you can do some preliminary scouting for office space and find out what the rental rates are in your desired area.
Good luck with your new office!
August 2, 2006
New O.D. Wants to Start Practice
From Ask The Expert:
Q. I am a fairly new licensee ( 2 years ) from Boca Raton Florida. I am anxious to open up an exciting new practice. Only, I feel its so far away and overwhelming. I received some cards in the mail and ran into your info. I went to your website and see you offer design services. How would it work with you being located in Oregon?
Q. We work with OD’s like you all over the country. All we need is an accurate plan of your space to work from (often the landlord or building architect provides this for you). Photos of the space are helpful, too.
I really enjoy getting new OD’s off to a flying start with a creative design that will fit within the typical tight budget of a first practice. Opening your first practice can certainly seem like an overwhelming task. That’s why it’s important for you to select your designer carefully. A well-designed dispensary should practically sell the frames for you and you need someone who is experienced in optical design to do that.
You will find my Office Design Guide book very helpful. It gives you a great overview of all the factors you need to consider for your new office, plus 100 floor plans. You can order it here: http://www.barbarawrightdesign.com/book.html
Q. I am a fairly new licensee ( 2 years ) from Boca Raton Florida. I am anxious to open up an exciting new practice. Only, I feel its so far away and overwhelming. I received some cards in the mail and ran into your info. I went to your website and see you offer design services. How would it work with you being located in Oregon?
Q. We work with OD’s like you all over the country. All we need is an accurate plan of your space to work from (often the landlord or building architect provides this for you). Photos of the space are helpful, too.
I really enjoy getting new OD’s off to a flying start with a creative design that will fit within the typical tight budget of a first practice. Opening your first practice can certainly seem like an overwhelming task. That’s why it’s important for you to select your designer carefully. A well-designed dispensary should practically sell the frames for you and you need someone who is experienced in optical design to do that.
You will find my Office Design Guide book very helpful. It gives you a great overview of all the factors you need to consider for your new office, plus 100 floor plans. You can order it here: http://www.barbarawrightdesign.com/book.html
July 17, 2006
How Much Will My New Office Cost?
Q. How much will my new office cost?
REMODELING PROJECTS are the most difficult to "guess-timate" before you have actual plans in hand because the amount of work can vary so much. If you are remodeling a small dispensary you probably need to budget at least $20,000. to do enough to make a real difference. Medium to large dispensaries can cost $30,000. to $50,000. or more.
BUILDING OUT AN INTERIOR SPACE varies according to labor costs in your area. Generally it's more expensive to build on the East Coast or West Coast and less expensive in the Midwest and South. Figure on spending $75. to $100. per square foot on the average for a nice office with good quality materials, custom cabinets and state of the art dispensary lighting.
BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP starts at about $125. per square foot (not including the land) for a simple building in a medium or small size town with lower construction costs. You could easily spend $150. to $250. per square foot and more for a building in or around a busy metropolitan area.
You can ask contractors in your area what a typical commercial building costs in your area, but the numbers he quotes you will not include the specialized display fixtures and lighting you'll need in the optical area. Be sure to add on $25,000. to $50,000. more for your optical.
REMODELING PROJECTS are the most difficult to "guess-timate" before you have actual plans in hand because the amount of work can vary so much. If you are remodeling a small dispensary you probably need to budget at least $20,000. to do enough to make a real difference. Medium to large dispensaries can cost $30,000. to $50,000. or more.
BUILDING OUT AN INTERIOR SPACE varies according to labor costs in your area. Generally it's more expensive to build on the East Coast or West Coast and less expensive in the Midwest and South. Figure on spending $75. to $100. per square foot on the average for a nice office with good quality materials, custom cabinets and state of the art dispensary lighting.
BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP starts at about $125. per square foot (not including the land) for a simple building in a medium or small size town with lower construction costs. You could easily spend $150. to $250. per square foot and more for a building in or around a busy metropolitan area.
You can ask contractors in your area what a typical commercial building costs in your area, but the numbers he quotes you will not include the specialized display fixtures and lighting you'll need in the optical area. Be sure to add on $25,000. to $50,000. more for your optical.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
