During this episode of the Practice Accelerator Podcast, we speak with Mike Mackay, principal and partner in Ripple Projects. Mike Mackay discusses what is involved in building a practice, factors that impact the cost of your construction budget, and the key team members that are needed to build your dental office. 

Episode Highlights: 

• What is the background of Ripple Projects? 
• What are his thoughts on dentists going for a free-standing building versus being located in a plaza? 
• How do you choose a contractor when you are building? 
• What is the difference between a general contractor versus a project manager?  
• What is a dentist actually paying for with project managers? 
• What other team members are needed for construction projects?  
• What are the factors that impact cost? 
• Mike Mackay discusses the timing of a project. 
• You ideally want construction happening during your free-rent period. 
• Ripple Projects has been able to build out dental practices lately in 8-10 weeks in the construction phase.
• Have your team in place early on. 
• Mike talks about what construction contracts typically look like. 
• Give the bad news first because bad news requires action. Good news does not.  
• How does a dentist pay for the creation of their practice?  
• What advice does Mike Mackay have for those building during COVID-19?  
• Let the professionals do their job.  

3 Key Points:

1. General contractors may self-perform a lot of their own work with their own class. Project managers mostly coordinate the project and put teams together for the required work. 
2. You are going to need a mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and a design done that meets code.  
3. The drivers that effect consultant cost: architecture fees, engineering fees, builder, project manager, general contractors, square footage, and the existing building condition. 

Tweetable Quotes: 

• “We are a small boutique firm that specializes in commercial and residential work. Our passion is driven by design and is influenced by a lot of great architecture throughout the world, and a lot of the work we do, whether it is on the commercial side or the residential side is driven by space and use of space.” -Mike Mackay
• “The name (Ripple) starts with an idea and then ripples out from there, and I think that is like anything. That is how things start and they move, and things are fluid.” -Mike Mackay
• “A free-standing building may give you more exposure for marketing purposes and it may have more presence to the public. You’re typically going to have more overhead costs involved.” -Mike Mackay
• “Getting a critical path early on, right from the beginning of your project is key, from zoning, planning, design, and having all the consultants planning timeframes that they have to work to.” -Mike Mackay

Resources Mentioned: 

• Ripple Projects
• Ripple Projects Linkedin
• Ripple Projects Facebook
• Ripple Projects Instagram