Mark Hafen's Complete Guide to Building Your Veterinary Hospital

You're about to build a veterinary hospital-congratulations! Now strap in for one of the most stressful, challenging, emotional, rewarding experiences you'll ever endure.

As any veterinary practice owner will tell you, building a facility is tough. You'll make countless decisions, write gigantic checks, and field phone call after phone call. At times, you might feel like giving up.

But don't despair-Mark Hafen is here to help. Hafen, a Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member and principal at Animal Arts in Boulder, Colo., knows the ins and outs of constructing a veterinary practice, and he shares his expertise in The Complete Guide to Building Your Veterinary Hospital. Browse through the chapters below for a comprehensive look at the construction process. Then get building.

Chapter 1: Before you build

> The time frame

> Project costs

> Planning and zoning issues

> What planning boards worry about and how to respond

> Wetland and environmental issues

Chapter 2: Your building team

> How your team works together

> The dynamics between a veterinary practice owner and an architect

> Do you need an owner's representative or construction manager?

> Other players in the building process

Chapter 3: What to look for in a contractor

> How to choose a contractor

> Your choices in a contract

> Specifics of the contract

> Reviewing bids

> Two rules to live by

> What your architect can do for you

Chapter 4: Who's responsible for what?

> Ordering utilities

> Buying a survey

> Buying a soil report

> Confirming that you have planning and zoning

> Dealing with hazardous materials

> Dealing with mold

> Dealing with asbestos

Chapter 5: The design process

> What the buzzwords mean

> Submitting drawings to the building department

Chapter 6: Securing financing

> When the bank will commit

> What kind of loan to expect

> What the bank needs from you

> How much of a loan can you get?