In this installment of the series on starting your own ABA clinic we will dive into the considerations needed to select the best possible location for your business. Regardless if you want to run the clinic out of suite in your home, provide on-site services or various sizes of fixed commercial operations you can benefit from the contents of this article.
Type of Space Needed
In order to determine what type of space(s) you need start by figuring out the following:
Location, Location, Location
In real estate the 3 biggest items are location, location and location. While your choice is unlikely to make you rich in real estate, the place you choose can have an impact on the success of your clinic.
Earlier on in this series we discussed a couple of key elements when selecting a location.
Security and Safety
The design of your clinic should incorporate measures that will provide security and safety.
Accessibility
At a minimum make sure that your clinic meets the base accessibility requirements under the prevailing laws in your location and guidelines offered by your industry. Also consider the level of accommodation that your specific target market may need.
You will need to include accessible washrooms, wheelchair access, signage and other devices to aid your patients during treatment. While these are typically covered in the statutes, what many of them miss is the items that may be difficult for some to handle. This would include sensory sensitivities (smells, lighting and colours) as well as by incorporating calming elements and designated respite areas.
Therapy Rooms
Depending on the types of therapies you will be providing, ensure that there is ample space and resources available to do them well such as toys, cleaning products, snacks, and equipment. Grouping the therapy rooms together may help the flow of the clinic and separate from other functions.
Reception Area
Everyone needs a reception area, even for the single practitioner. This is a waiting area for the parents during treatment or a place to sit if folks from the next session arrive early. In larger operations there may need to be a receptionist or greeter to be there during business hours.
Staff Rooms
Depending on the size of your clinic you may need to allocate different types of areas for staff to use. This includes a small kitchen, meeting room, administrative areas, storage and washrooms. These rooms should be stocked with the appropriate resources that the staff need to do their jobs including workstations, computers, printers and other office items.
Lease Negotiation
Now that you have determined what you need in a space, and you have located a suitable space, now it is time to consider the terms of leasing it. Read the terms of the lease, have it reviewed by a lawyer and make sure it contains the things you need to be successful.
Renovation Considerations
You will need to incorporate a few items into your renovation plans above and beyond getting approval from the lessor.
Build Budget
Establish a budget for your build that you can afford. Do not max out on the initial plan as there are bound to be unforeseen expenses that will push the limits of your budget. Once you have a plan together you may be able to use those costs to help negotiate your lease.
We hope you found this installment of our guide helpful in determining your clinic location. Up next will be our post on marketing your clinic and getting the word out that will attract your ideal clients.
