Veterinary practices depend on accurate construction budgeting, which becomes nearly impossible when the landlord’s work letter doesn’t match the reality of the space. In this episode, Art and Hailee review a case where a tenant discovered—after signing—that the space lacked HVAC, electrical, drywall, and even a concrete slab.

Those missing items pushed contractor budgets well beyond the tenant’s expectations.

You’ll learn:
• How incomplete landlord delivery impacts veterinary construction budgets
• Why bidding from design drawings without MEPs leads to unreliable numbers
• The true cost of missing concrete, HVAC systems, and demising wall drywall
• What veterinarians should confirm before signing a retail lease
• How proper negotiation can secure TI funds to offset major omissions

A valuable episode for veterinarians looking to avoid expensive surprises in the build-out process.

Veterinary renovations are complex — and without complete drawings and a thorough contract, costs escalate quickly. This episode examines a real medical renovation in which the owner relied on a drawing set missing engineering detail, manufacturer specs, contractor phasing, and key contractual protections. The result was a bidding spread of nearly a million dollars and a project likely to climb far above budget.
Art and Hailee outline the critical red flags veterinary owners should recognize and the planning steps that prevent costly change orders, unclear scope, and construction delays.

Topics include:
• How vague drawings cause inconsistent contractor pricing
• The importance of exact specifications for lighting, flooring, cabinetry, and equipment
• Why shutdown plans, phasing, and site-visit language must be defined upfront
• What every veterinary contract should include to protect the practice
• How investing in full drawings saves time, money, and frustration during construction

In this installment of “Whoops, It Can Happen to You,” Art and Antonis unpack a scenario that applies directly to veterinarians in leased medical spaces. A provider attempted to finalize a small expansion—only to miss major implications tied to lease term extensions, renovation opportunities, and long-term assignment rights that affect eventual practice exit or sale.
This episode highlights why expanding your practice is never just about square footage. It impacts leverage, build-out funding, contract structure, and the financial health of your practice for years to come. The conversation underscores the importance of involving a real-estate professional early and approaching any facility change as a full-picture negotiation.