Any construction project is challenging, whether you’re remodeling a kitchen, building a new corporate office or building out a medical imaging facility. While they all require lots of planning, have tons of moving parts and myriad deadlines, 
creating a medical imaging suite makes everything else look easy. It’s a much more involved construction project because your contractor will be dealing with strict guidelines for medical gasses, lead lining or R/F shielding and specialized windows and doors. That’s why it’s important to choose a contractor that is well versed and skilled in this kind of construction process.
There are many complexities to building out a medical imaging suite to house your CT, MRI or Cath Lab. By hiring a contractor who understands the intricacies involved in this kind of project, you’ll avoid headaches, delays and overages. Choose a rookie, and you’ll pay the price in missed deadlines, expenses and loss of revenue. Here are a few tips that can help you find the right contractor for your project.
- Get references and take the time to talk to them. Ask about other medical imagining facility projects they’ve done and ask for contact information for the Facilities Director they worked with. In an ideal world, meet with the Facilities Director onsite, so you can see the finished project yourself. Prepare a list of specific questions. Did the project have any glitches? Were deadlines met? Was there overages and, if so, what was the cause? Be sure to ask if the working relationship was a pleasant one and if they would work with the contractor again.
- Thoroughly vet the contractor. Are they licensed? Do they belong to any professional associations? Do they get high ratings from the Better Business Bureau? Do they have a corporate headquarters?
- Review your contractor’s insurance. Ask for a copy of the insurance declarations sheet and make sure the coverage amounts are appropriate for the project you’re discussing.
- Address and review all details up front. Make sure that you review equipment requirements before construction begins. Connect your equipment provider with your contractor so there’s an easy flow of information. Make sure to review items like standard power outlets and IT connections. In addition, you’ll want to compare the list of services provided by each source. The last thing you want to do is pay for the same work twice!
- Get it in writing. Once you’ve discussed the project, make sure the contract matches your discussions. The specific costs and fees should be listed and there should be no additional or hidden fees written into the document. Spell out the responsibilities of each party: who is providing water and power for construction use, who is providing the risk insurance. Be sure to include language that provides penalties for project delays, as well as contract incentives for completing the project early or on time. It will keep your contractor motivated and focused on your project and not others.
Talk to An Expert
If you have questions about installing your medical imaging equipment, the requirements for construction or even questions about construction contracts, feel free to talk to an expert at Atlantis Worldwide. We have been helping clients with their medical imaging needs for more than 27 years and would be happy to help you. Contact Us Today!
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Meet the author: Vikki Harmonay
