Securing financing for your veterinary practice is only half the battle. The other half? Knowing how to spend those loan dollars wisely so you don’t run out of cash halfway through your project — or end up over budget before you even open your doors.
Smart budgeting is about balance. You want to cover everything from construction to equipment, while leaving room for marketing and working capital so your practice thrives from day one. Here’s how to think about allocating your loan funds.
A Sample Veterinary Practice Budget
Every practice is different, but a well-rounded budget typically looks something like this:
- Construction – 48%
- Equipment & Supplies – 18%
- Working Capital – 10%
- Cabinetry – 8%
- Project Management – 5%
- Design & Architectural – 4%
- Marketing – 4%
- IT – 3%
Why Project Management Deserves a Line in Your Budget
It’s tempting to overlook project management when you’re planning your budget. After all, it’s not as tangible as new exam tables or a digital X-ray system. But it might be the most important 5% you’ll ever spend.
Pro Tip: A typical practice takes an experienced project manager 350–400 hours for feasibility, planning, and implementation. If you try to act as your own project manager, that time easily doubles — even triples. That means higher costs, delays, and stress. Smart budgeting means budgeting for project management up front.
Stretching Your Loan Dollars Further
- Negotiate tenant improvement (TI) allowances – Landlords often cover part of your build-out.
- Value engineer your design – Small layout adjustments can save big on construction costs.
- Lease certain equipment – Free up cash flow for essentials like working capital.
- Don’t skimp on marketing – Getting patients in the door quickly is critical to cash flow.
The Bottom Line
Your financing isn’t just a loan — it’s your runway to success. A smart budget balances immediate needs (construction, equipment) with long-term growth (working capital, marketing, and project management).
When you plan wisely, you’re not just opening a practice — you’re building a sustainable future.
Ready to plan your practice budget the smart way?
At How to Open a Veterinary Practice, we guide you step-by-step through planning, financing, design, and build-out. Our project managers help you allocate resources wisely so your loan dollars go further.
Contact Us or explore our free resources to start planning today.
