When you’ve decided to open your own veterinary practice, the first instinct is usually to start making calls—to a contractor for pricing, to a bank for financing, or maybe to a realtor to look at spaces. These calls feel productive. But if you’re calling them first, you might be setting yourself up for frustration, circular conversations, and even costly missteps.
That’s because at the beginning of your startup journey, the details these professionals need to give you accurate advice don’t exist yet. And without a roadmap, you’re essentially asking for directions without knowing your destination.
Let’s break down why these common first contacts often lead nowhere—and who you should be calling first instead.
Why These Seem Like Good First Steps (But Aren’t)
Contractors: Many call contractors early hoping to get a ballpark construction budget. But without design plans, layout decisions, or a finalized space, a contractor can only offer vague, high-level guesses based on general assumptions. These “guesstimates” might seem helpful, but they can be wildly inaccurate and give you a false sense of your financial needs.
Equipment Vendors: Calling an equipment provider too soon leads to a similar problem. If you don’t yet have a floor plan or a defined number of exam rooms, it’s impossible to know what equipment you truly need—or even what will physically fit in your future space. Vendors might provide a basic layout, but it won’t include the detailed planning needed for construction or permitting.
Banks: Approaching a lender without a clear project scope often results in a circular conversation. You want to know how much the bank can lend, but they’ll ask how much you need—which you can’t answer without a budget. It’s frustrating and fruitless, often leading to delays and uncertainty instead of clarity.
Realtors: Touring spaces without a plan can feel like progress, but without expert guidance, it’s easy to fall in love with a space that won’t actually suit your practice. Without knowing how many rooms you’ll need, what equipment you’ll use, or how the space supports your business model, you’re evaluating properties blind.
So, Who Should You Call First?
Call a project manager. Not a consultant. Not a vendor. A hands-on, experienced project manager who specializes in healthcare or veterinary startups.
A good project manager becomes your strategic partner—someone who understands the full process and guides you through it step-by-step. They save you time (on average, over 380 hours), stress, and money by helping you avoid missteps and making sure everything happens in the right order.
They’ll help you:
- Create a solid project scope and timeline
- Identify your equipment, staffing, and space needs
- Source and vet vendors (contractors, equipment reps, banks, etc.)
- Evaluate properties with your long-term growth in mind
- Coordinate all moving pieces, so nothing slips through the cracks
Most importantly, they make sure your project doesn’t stall—or spiral—because you started with the wrong call.
The Value of a Project Manager
Hiring a project manager isn’t just about making your life easier (though it absolutely does that). It’s about protecting your investment. Every day your practice isn’t open, you’re losing revenue. Every wrong decision made early on can cost thousands to undo later.
By guiding your startup from the very beginning, a project manager ensures you’re not just checking off tasks—you’re making smart, informed decisions that build momentum and lead to a smooth, successful opening.
What to Look for in the Right Partner
Not all project managers are created equal. Interview several. Look for someone you click with—who listens, who explains their process clearly, and who has experience in veterinary or medical startups. Make sure they don’t just consult—they need to take actual work off your plate, coordinate vendors, and educate you along the way.
Because here’s the truth: if you don’t hire a project manager, you become the project manager. And unless this is your full-time job (it’s not), the process can quickly become overwhelming.
Want to avoid delays, stress, and wasted money? Your very first step is simple: find the right project manager. They’ll help you make all the other calls—at the right time, with the right questions, and the right information in hand.
That’s how successful veterinary practices get built.
