3 Warning Signs The Company You Hired To Do Your Fitout Isn’t Getting It Right
Choosing the right company to design and construct your medical or dental practice is a high-stakes decision. It’s about more than just finishes and fixtures—it’s about ensuring that your practice is compliant, functional, and designed to enhance both patient experience and staff efficiency.
While a well-executed fitout should feel seamless and straightforward, things can quickly go off track when the company you’ve engaged lacks healthcare experience, proper planning, or an understanding of your vision. If you’re midway through a fitout and something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth paying attention. Here are three warning signs that your fitout partner may not be delivering as promised.
1. They don’t understand the specific needs of healthcare spaces
Medical and dental practices are not standard commercial spaces—they are highly regulated environments with unique spatial, functional, and technical requirements. If your fitout team doesn’t have experience in the healthcare sector, they may overlook crucial design and compliance elements, putting your entire project at risk.
Common red flags include:
Poor infection control design – Inadequate separation between clean and contaminated areas in sterilisation rooms, lack of zoning, or improper ventilation systems can result in compliance breaches.
Non-compliant accessibility – Healthcare facilities must meet strict standards under the Disability Discrimination Act and the National Construction Code. If your practice lacks proper entry access, compliant bathrooms, or appropriate circulation space, you could face costly rectifications—or worse, legal consequences.
Insufficient planning for services – Medical and dental equipment demands specific plumbing, electrical load capacities, and data connections. If your fitout company isn’t familiar with these requirements, it could lead to last-minute changes or expensive rework.
A fitout company with true healthcare experience should proactively guide you through these requirements, not rely on you to raise_
2. The project keeps running over budget and behind schedule
Every construction project has its share of unpredictability. However, consistent delays, vague cost increases, or ongoing design changes often point to poor project management and a lack of preparedness from your fitout partner.
Watch out for signs such as:
Lack of transparency – Are you getting unclear or inconsistent updates on timelines and variations? A reputable team should offer clear communication and cost breakdowns throughout the process.
Unexplained delays—If your project constantly stalls due to “supplier delays” or unexpected issues on site, it may be because the team failed to anticipate known constraints or didn’t carry out proper due diligence.
Frequent mid-project changes – If your fitout team is asking you to re-approve layouts or modify services halfway through the build, it’s often because they didn’t adequately plan for your specific needs upfront.
Healthcare fitouts require careful sequencing and foresight. When managed well, they stay on track and on budget and align with regulatory timeframes for approvals and inspections. If your project feels chaotic or uncoordinated, it’s worth asking whether your current team is up to the task.
3. The design feels impractical or generic
A well-designed practice should do more than meet minimum compliance standards—it should support your day-to-day workflow, reflect your brand, and make patients feel at ease. If your fitout feels cold, clunky, or uninspired, it may be because your design partner isn’t thinking beyond the basics.
Some warning signs include:
Poor spatial flow – Treatment rooms that are too far from sterilisation areas, cramped reception zones, or awkward traffic patterns can create operational inefficiencies.
Disregard for patient comfort – Harsh lighting, lack of acoustic treatment, or sterile, impersonal interiors can contribute to patient anxiety and discomfort.
Lack of brand integration – Your space should reflect who you are as a practice. If your fitout feels like it could belong to any business, your designers may have missed the opportunity to align the space with your values, tone, and target audience.
Great design doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of thoughtful collaboration, deep industry knowledge, and a clear understanding of how your practice operates. If your design feels like an afterthought or you’re constantly having to “fix” elements that don’t work, it may be time to seek a second opinion.
What should you do if you spot these red flags?
If any of the above signs sound familiar, it’s important to act sooner rather than later. Begin by having an honest conversation with your current fitout company. Ask direct questions about their planning, timelines, and understanding of healthcare compliance. Request clear deliverables, revised timelines, and transparent documentation.
If you continue to receive vague answers, experience ongoing issues, or feel that your concerns are being dismissed, it might be time to bring in a healthcare fitout specialist to assess the situation and help you course-correct.
Don’t leave your practice to chance. Work with a team that proves they can get it right
At Akord Projects, we specialise in designing and delivering compliant, functional, and beautifully executed medical and dental practices. Our team has in-depth knowledge of healthcare regulations, technical infrastructure, and patient-centred design, and we understand that your fitout is a long-term investment in the future of your practice.
Whether you’re midway through a problematic project or preparing for a new build, we’re here to help.
Want a second opinion? Need expert support to get your fitout back on track? Let’s talk. We’ll help you create a practice that works for your patients, your staff, and your future.
