Design Matters
A great dental practice begins long before the first wall is built or the first patient walks through the door. It starts with smart, compliant, and truly buildable design. Whether you’re refurbishing an existing surgery, planning an extension to accommodate growth, or launching a new‑build squat practice, in‑house design is the key to delivering a space that works beautifully from day one and stands the test of time.
At Excel Building Contractors, our integrated design and build approach means designers and the construction team collaborate from the outset.
The result? Fewer surprises, faster delivery, superior outcomes and better value.
Good Design Is the Foundation of a Good Build
A high‑quality design does more than make your practice look impressive.
It:
- Optimises workflow: Smooth patient journeys, ergonomic surgeries, and efficient staff circulation reduce wasted movement and increase productivity.
- Ensures compliance: From decontamination layouts and HTM guidance to local planning constraints and CQC considerations, design sets the stage for a compliant build.
- Coordinates technical systems early: Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, suction, compressed air, medical gases (if required), and IT are coordinated in the design phase—minimising clashes on site.
- Controls cost and time: Buildable details, correct specifications, and early risk identification keep programmes tight and budgets realistic.
When design is developed in‑house, your build team is engaged from day one, flagging structural, services, and phasing constraints early so we can refine solutions before they become costly problems.
The Power of In‑House Design: Integrated from Day One
In‑house design means your project benefits from continuous dialogue:
- Seamless communication: Designers and site managers sit together (literally and figuratively), ensuring every decision is informed by practical construction insights.
- Early clash detection: We identify potential obstacles (like limited ceiling voids for ductwork, drainage gradients, structural load paths, acoustic requirements) and design around them before mobilising on site.
- Value engineering, done right: We proactively propose material and specification alternatives that preserve clinical quality while improving durability and cost efficiency.
- Fewer redesigns, fewer delays: With buildability baked in, there’s no need to ‘re‑draw’ for site realities. That saves you time, money, and stress.
- One accountable team: A unified design and build partner takes responsibility for both the drawings and the delivery, streamlining decision making and accountability.
Practice Refurbishment: Modernise Without Disruption
Refurbishing an operating practice requires careful planning to minimise downtime and maintain patient confidence. In‑house design helps you achieve a seamless upgrade.
Key refurbishment benefits:
- Phased works planning: We develop a programme that keeps your practice functioning, sequencing rooms, grouping dusty works after hours, and creating temporary treatment zones if needed.
- Smart compliance upgrades: Reconfigure decontamination rooms, improve zoning and flows, optimise finishes for infection control, and update cabinetry to ergonomic, compliant standards.
- Services integration: Replace or relocate plant, re‑run suction lines, refresh lighting and power, and introduce modern HVAC for air quality, all coordinated with minimal disruption.
- Patient experience uplift: Thoughtful reception re‑design, improved wayfinding, acoustics for privacy, and lighting schemes that reduce anxiety, all while maintaining your brand identity.
Outcome: A practice that feels brand new, functions better, meets current standards, and continues trading through the transformation.
Practice Extension: Expand Capacity, Preserve Efficiency
When growth demands extra surgeries, imaging, decon capacity, or staff spaces, extensions often provide the best ROI. In‑house design ensures your new space connects logically with the existing building.
Key extension benefits:
- Masterplanning for flow: New operatories and treatment zones are planned to optimise adjacency—placing decon rooms, storage, sterilisation, and imaging where they serve both new and existing spaces.
- Structural and services continuity: We design extensions with load paths, foundation solutions, and services routes that interface cleanly with your current infrastructure.
- Planning and approvals strategy: We coordinate with planning, building control, and specialist consultants (like acoustics, fire, and accessibility) to de‑risk approvals.
- Future‑proofing: Provisions for additional chair capacity, digital imaging upgrades, IT redundancy, and plant expansion are built into the design now to avoid costly retrofits later.
Outcome: Extra capacity that integrates seamlessly—enhancing productivity, patient experience, and team workflow.
New‑Build Squat Practice: Set Yourself Up for Success
For squat practices, the design stage determines the viability of your vision, from site selection through to brand experience and operational readiness. In‑house design makes all the difference.
Key squat practice benefits:
- Feasibility first: We assess shell and core constraints (floor-to-ceiling heights, services risers, fire strategy, acoustic performance, access/egress) before committing to a concept.
- Clinical zoning and adjacencies: Reception, waiting, surgeries, imaging, decon, plant, WCs, and staff facilities are planned to create an efficient, compliant patient journey.
- Technical design excellence: Early coordination of HVAC, suction, compressed air, dental cabinets, medical gases (if required), and IT ensures smooth installation and inspection.
- Brand‑led interiors: Materials, lighting, and colour palettes reflect your identity while supporting infection control and durability.
- Rapid mobilisation: With the build team involved from day one, procurement schedules and subcontracts align with an agreed delivery programme, enabling faster opening.
Outcome: A beautifully crafted, compliant practice designed for long‑term growth—from day one.
Clinical Compliance and Practicality, Built In
Dental projects are technically demanding. Our in‑house design approach embeds clinical and regulatory requirements within every drawing and specification:
- Decontamination & infection control: Clear dirty-to-clean flows, dedicated handwashing, appropriate surfaces and finishes, and correctly sized decon rooms.
- Radiology considerations: Shielding requirements, controlled areas, and equipment coordination integrated early to avoid late-stage rework.
- Accessibility & patient comfort: Step‑free access, DDA compliance, acoustic privacy, glare‑free lighting, and intuitive wayfinding to enhance patient experience.
- Utilities coordination: Electrical, data, HVAC, suction, and water lines all laid out for serviceability and resilience, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
With designers and builders aligned, compliance isn’t just ‘checked’—it’s designed in and built right.
Cost Effectiveness: How In‑House Design Saves You Money
In‑house design reduces costs across the project lifecycle:
- Accurate budgeting: Early build input leads to realistic cost plans and fewer surprises.
- Reduced redesign fees: Avoid iterative revisions when drawings meet site realities from the start.
- Optimised specifications: We propose materials and details with the best lifecycle value, durable, compliant, and appropriate for clinical environments.
- Efficient programmes: Fewer clashes and delays mean less time on site and earlier patient revenue.
- Maintenance foresight: Plant access, service routes, and spare capacity are designed for long‑term upkeep, reducing operational costs.
The result is a project that’s more predictable, more efficient, and more profitable.
Sustainability and Durability: Built for the Long Term
Great design also champions sustainability and resilience:
- Energy‑efficient HVAC and lighting reduce operating costs and improve comfort.
- Durable finishes withstand clinical cleaning regimes without sacrificing aesthetics.
- Smart water and waste management protects infrastructure and the environment.
- Flexible layouts allow easy reconfiguration as your practice evolves.
With in‑house design, we embed durability and sustainability choices into the build plan, so you benefit immediately and for years to come.
Why Excel Building Contractors?
Excel Building Contractors brings UK dental sector expertise with in‑house design and specialist build capabilities. We’ve delivered refurbishments, extensions, and squat practices that are compliant, efficient, and beautifully finished, because our designers and builders collaborate from day one.
What you get with Excel:
- A single, accountable partner from concept to handover
- Dental‑specific design expertise and build experience
- Early risk identification and proactive value engineering
- Phased delivery strategies tailored to live clinical environments
- Quality craftsmanship, transparent communication, and on‑time delivery
Ready to Start Your Transformation?
Whether you’re refreshing an existing surgery, expanding your footprint, or launching a new‑build squat, a great build starts with great design. And great design starts in‑house.
Talk to Excel Building Contractors today:
- Call: 020 8820 0853
- Email: sales@excel-ltd.co.uk
- Web: http://www.excel-ltd.co.uk
Let’s design and build a practice you’ll be proud to open the doors to. Now and for the future.