Building Veterinary Hospitals too Big?

Invariably, at some point in the planning process of a new building design, we have to balance budget with size and volume. In other words, if your building is going to cost $200 per square foot and you want to spend one million dollars, you will be able to afford 5,000 square feet of building. Sounds simple, but that one million dollars does not cover everything. Land costs, land improvements, equipment, architect and engineering fees, furnishings, and start-up cash are not part of that first million. As you can see, the whole project will cost much more than $200 per square foot. In our experience, animal hospitals, laboratories, large food service facilities, and similar projects can cost over $300 per square foot when you factor in all the total development costs. It’s important to understand all the costs that will go into such a project.

Often times this stark reality results in some soul searching for how much do our clients really want to bite off for this project. One million dollars is a lot of money, but three million is a whole lot more! Although this should be a pragmatic exercise in comparing projected revenues and services against staffing, operational costs and likely profit margins, it is usually a very emotional experience. One that is driven by fear and anxiety more than mathematics and accounting.

What Experience Shows About Veterinary Facility Growth

We have completed hundreds of veterinary hospitals and other animal health projects. In 27 years, nearly every one of our clients has been successful, with only one exception. Many have not only prospered, but exceeded their original expectations. Even in the one case where a veterinarian ultimately closed a practice in a shopping center space, the contributing factors appeared to be tied more to management than to overbuilding. That perspective matters. When clients ask, “Am I building too big?” the more important question is whether the facility is being planned to support long-term success. With 27 years of experience across animal hospitals, medical, laboratory, brewing and distilling, and food service projects, HDA Architects has seen firsthand how the right facility can help turn vision into reality. If you have a project in your future, give us a call and let us help you create a space that supports your team, your clients, and your growth.