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By Tim Lapkovski
Most practicing doctors and other professionals take matters
of
renovating, rebuilding and redecorating their offices and
clinics into their own hands. They do not consult architects,
engineers and other building contractors while doing their
offices. They based their experiences in building to their
experiences in their respective practices and in the knowledge
of what they think they need in a clinic or office.
That is not at all bad. Of course, consulting experts in
building construction would not hurt as well. This will help
in
eliminating mistakes all together in designing a floor plan
for
a clinic or doctors office.
Examine the four floor plan mistakes committed while
constructing a clinic.
1.Designing a floor plan without identifying the actual
dimensions of the space they will be renting. An expert say
that it is impossible to design a floor plan without setting
up
or without knowing the existing set-up of the interior
dimensions, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing.
2.It is also important to determine size of the space to be
used. Without the size, everything that will be built will not
hold out effectively. Doctors usually ask for general
guidelines but with all the variables and elements to consider
in the construction, there can be no set of rules for this as
other elements may factor in like restrooms, entryways and
mechanical rooms may change the square footage necessary in
building a clinic.
3.Choosing a floor design that does not work for you and your
purpose. There are three designs of floor plans now being used
for chiropractic offices.
- Traditional design that allows individual rooms for x-ray,
treatment exam and private use. Additional therapy room or
central rehabilitation areas are being built as well.
- Combination rooms involve much bigger rooms since rooms are
shared by different areas like doctors office, exam room and
treatment room. Sometimes x-ray areas are also combined with
the other rooms mentioned.
- Open design provides a bigger space for all areas of
concern.
The only problem is the lack of privacy.
4.Door placement is a common mistake too including how it
swings. Sometimes, a simple opening would do just fine for an
adjacent room but doorways are still built in wrong places.
Door placement can be very costly, so it is very important to
determine if doors are needed or not. You can save more if you
identify your needs properly.
In building clinics, there are other factors to look into
aside
from the floor plan -
- Parking. This is major consideration in your new clinic
location since patients who are in wheelchairs drop by cars
will be very convenient if a parking space is offered to them.
Parking spaces for staff and for a health care facility are
welcome additions to the amenities.
- Visibility and accessibility are also important factors
because it can maximize your potential for clients, patients
and customers.
- Interior buildout. Look for clinics or spaces that already
include some interior amenities in its building and office
spaces. It will be unwise to do an interior finish of worth
$30,000 for only three years occupancy.
- Weather lock. Search for offices with double entryway for
proper ventilation or correct airflow within the building.
- Reception room visibility. The most effective reception area
is the one with clear visibility and shows the receptionist
upon entering the door thus giving a welcoming atmosphere and
not a clinic that hides something. This will add a personal
touch to your services.
- Hallway visibility. This allows the receptionist to route
effectively patients. It is very important for her to see the
entire reception room and the treatment areas main hallway.
- Windows and walls. There are certain rooms in a clinic that
needs a natural daylight to have a bright and warm appeal.
Darkrooms and other rooms that do not need the brightness of
light should be positioned in rooms without windows.
- Change orders. In construction, make sure that changes in
the
blueprint must be identified even before the construction
takes
pace in order to have lesser costs rather than having the
changes after that would cost higher.
- Wiring. All electrical wiring should be done before the
construction progresses so the wires can be arranged properly
without mistakes.
Before beginning to design your office or clinic, be sure to
have a work plan on hand and a working budget chart to work on
so that you can refer to them every now and then. Make this
investment work for you and not only to the builders of your
office. Building your office needs a lot of patience, keenness
to details, proper planning and consultation with the experts
to avoid the most common mistakes. Remember, your office or
clinic is an important part of your profession and career and
keep in mind, first impressions last.
About The Author: For more great floor plan related articles
and resources check out weknowfloorplans.info
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