Dental Office Construction in a Multi-Tenant, Multi-Story Office Building

In our previous article, “Before You Commit to Leasing Space for Your Dental Practice,” we outlined two critical first steps:

1. Choose the right general location to reach your ideal patient base, with help from an experienced commercial real estate agent.
2. Evaluate potential spaces to ensure they can actually support a dental practice.

We also shared key considerations for strip-center locations. Here, we’ll focus on what to investigate when your preferred space is in a multi-tenant, multi-story office building, and where surprises often hide.

We’ll start with the big three: plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.

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Plumbing: What’s Above (and Below) Matters

Before you commit to a space, make sure you understand how plumbing will work vertically, and not just within your suite.

Key questions to ask:

• Is there an occupied tenant below you?
  If so, plumbing drains and vacuum lines often need to be installed above their ceiling; typically at night.
• Are existing drain lines nearby and adequately sized?
• Can PVC be used for drain and vacuum lines?
  This will depend on the building’s HVAC system (more on that below).
• Where can compressor and vacuum intakes and exhausts be located?
  And what’s the path to get there; does it pass through multiple floors?

HVAC: Capacity, Compatibility, and Exhaust

Dental offices place unique demands on HVAC systems, especially in shared buildings.

Important considerations:

• Does the building have ducted cold-air returns?
  If so, PVC piping may be allowed and is a more cost-effective option than cast iron or copper.
• Where can exhaust from the equipment and IT rooms discharge?
  Will it need to run through multiple floors, or can it tie into an existing building exhaust system?
• Can the HVAC system handle added exhaust air and still keep the office comfortable?
  If not, what upgrades or expansions are possible?

Electrical: Powering Your Practice 

Dental equipment requires significant and reliable electrical capacity.

Start by asking:

• Is there an existing electrical panel in the space?
  
  • Can it stay where it is, or will it need to be relocated?
  • Does it have enough capacity for dental equipment?
  • Is it on a dedicated meter?
• If there is no panel in the space:
  
  • How far away is the building’s electrical room?
  • Is there sufficient available capacity to support your equipment load?

Additional Factors That Impact Cost and Comfort

Multi-tenant, multi-story buildings come with logistical realities that should be planned for early:

• Elevator access:
  Is there an elevator that’s convenient and large enough for patients, dental equipment, and construction materials?
• Noise restrictions:
  Are there limits on when certain types of work can be performed?
• After-hours work:
  If the space below you is occupied, plumbing, electrical, and data work may need to happen nights or weekends.
  This often increases costs, especially if security is required.
• Equipment room placement:
  Equipment should be away from patient areas but also away from sound-sensitive neighboring offices.
  Solutions may include:
  
  • Quiet compressors and vacuums
  • Sound attenuation added to walls and ceilings of the equipment room during construction
  • Anti-vibration pads to isolate equipment from the structure

Plan Ahead. Build with Confidence.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it can help you identify a strong location or avoid costly surprises during construction.

Bring these questions with you when touring potential spaces. Better yet, bring along a trusted contractor with deep experience in dental construction, someone who knows where problems typically surface and how to solve them before they impact your timeline or budget.

That’s how you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a space that truly supports your practice.