I needed to bring WHAT?

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Prepping for a consultation with a veterinary architect, engineer or financial planner? Feeling overwhelmed by all the planning that goes into one of these projects and wish you had some guidance? These meetings are a valuable source of information-but they're best if you prepare a little.

Everything you need to know-all in one place

The HospitalDesign360 conference at Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City is a fantastic resource for planning, building and decorating your new veterinary hospital or remodel project. Plus included in your registration is a free one-on-one consultation with one of our architectural or engineering experts. See dvm360.com/hdconf for more.)

We asked our design experts-architects Heather Lewis, Dan Chapel and Wayne Usiak, engineer Scott Learned, and certified financial planner Gary Glassman-to explain what veterinary practice owners should think about before coming to these consultations. No. 1 item? A to-scale drawing of the site plan (and pre-existing building, if there is one). Here's what else to bring. Click here for a printable version of this list.

Meeting with an architect?

New construction projects

> Site survey with photos from different angles

> Site plan (if you have it)

> “Wish list” of desired hospital spaces

> Floor plan (if you have it), with rooms or functional areas drawn in

> Sketches of what the hospital will look like or photos of existing hospitals you plan to emulate

> Building cost estimate

> Bonus questions for start-ups: Is this first practice a stepping stone to a bigger dream, or is this a building you'll enjoy for a long time to come? What would make this veterinary hospital building successful?

Additions, renovations and leasehold projects

> Floor plan of existing building

> Interior and exterior photos from different angles

> Site plan (if you have it)

> “Wish list” of desired hospital spaces to be added to existing building

> Floor plan (if you have it), with rooms or additions drawn in

> Sketches of what the hospital will look like from the exterior after renovation or addition

> Building cost estimate

Meeting with an architectural engineer?

Answer these questions and bring this information to make the most of your valuable time together:

Details on:

> Conceptual drawings or schematics (if you have them)

> Timeline: What are your dates to begin design/renovation, construction and moving in?

> Desired building size (square foot)

> Land size and type: sloped/flat/mountainous terrain, open/wooded vegetation, etc.

> Road access

> Utilities: municipal water vs. private well; municipal sewer vs. private septic

> Permits: Are you cleared to build, renovate or add? Have you met with a planning officer or real estate attorney? Are there any objections (typically noise or odor)? Have you been heard at a city planning and zoning meeting yet?

> Ancillary services planned: daycare, grooming, physical therapy, fitness, dry treadmills, hydrotherapy, whirlpools, retail, etc.?

> Practice size: No. of veterinarians, exam rooms, surgical suites and animal housing units

> Competition: What other veterinary hospitals are in the area?

> Construction: Are you planning to bid the project competitively? Have you selected an architect, and what are your criteria? Have you selected a contractor, and what are your criteria?

> Business plan: Do you have financing in place? Do you have business partners?

> Equipment for reception, retail, exam rooms, pharmacy, treatment area, dental suite, surgical prep, ICU, diagnostic lab, radiography, surgery, grooming, special procedures and other (dishwasher, washer/dryer, pressure wash system, refrigerator)

Meeting with a CPA?

> Explanation of the project, including size and estimated cost for land and building, if known

> Tax return for previous year and financial statement

> The current building's fair market value and amount of existing debt on that building