Nickerson Design
The process

Calm, not chaos — from first sketch to first patient.

Building a space is a big, anxious project. Our job is to make it feel sequenced and manageable. Tell us where you are, and the journey maps itself — step by step, date by date.

Make it yours

Where is your project right now?

01 · Feasibility0%

  1. 01Feasibility

    1–2 weeks

    Before you sign a lease or commit a dollar, we confirm the space can hold your practice — and guide you to the right people for every step of the process.

    • Review the lease space or shell against your program
    • Guide you to the right people — our trusted real estate agents, equipment specialists, and vendor partners
    • Set a realistic budget range and timeline together
    Our time
    Your time~1–2 hours — a walkthrough and one honest conversation

    You'll receive

    A clear go / no-go read on the space, with a realistic budget range and timeline you can plan around.

    We'll need from you

    • · Access to the space (or the listing/plans)
    • · Your rough program — operatories, rooms, must-haves
    • · Your target opening window

    Owners ask

    Can we skip feasibility if I've already signed the lease?

    Yes — we simply fold the same checks into the concept phase. You lose the chance to walk away from a bad space, but not the diligence itself.

  2. 02Concept

    2–3 weeks

    An inspirational Zoom call to align on your design theme and a clear direction — then an on-site design meeting to bring it to life.

    • Inspirational Zoom call to discuss your design theme and set a clear direction
    • On-site design meeting to walk the space with the concept in hand
    • Ceiling concepts and decorative lighting placement, ready for your contractor to give to the architect for permits
    Our time
    Your time~2–3 hours/week — this is where your input shapes everything

    You'll receive

    A clear design direction your whole team understands, plus ceiling concepts and decorative lighting placement your contractor can hand to the architect for permits.

    We'll need from you

    • · Two working sessions with the decision-makers
    • · How your team actually moves through a day
    • · Brand materials, if you have them

    Owners ask

    What if I don't like the first concept?

    Then we've learned exactly what to change — reacting to something real is the fastest path to right. Revisions are part of the phase, not an extra.

  3. 03Design Development

    3–5 weeks

    Finishes, millwork, and lighting are resolved together so nothing surprises you later.

    • Finish, color, and material selections
    • Custom millwork and cabinetry design
    • Lighting selections and decorative fixture design
    Our time
    Your time~1–2 hours/week — selections and two decision meetings

    You'll receive

    A locked design: every finish, fixture, and material decided — with the budget still in view.

    We'll need from you

    • · Timely selection sign-offs
    • · Two decision meetings with the decision-makers

    Owners ask

    Can I change my mind after selections are locked?

    Before documents go out, small changes are easy. After permitting and ordering begin, changes cost real time and money — so we make sure you're certain first.

  4. 04Build

    Varies by scope

    We coordinate with your general contractor and vendors through construction so the build matches the design.

    • Contractor and equipment-vendor coordination
    • Construction administration and site check-ins
    • Selections support and issue resolution as they arise
    Our time
    Your time~1 hour/week — site check-ins as often as you like

    You'll receive

    A built space that matches the drawings — with issues caught on site visits, not after move-in.

    We'll need from you

    • · A chosen general contractor (we can refer trusted partners)
    • · Quick answers when a field question needs an owner decision

    Owners ask

    Do you supervise the contractor?

    We provide construction administration — regular site visits, drawing clarifications, and design-intent checks. The GC runs the job site; we make sure what's built is what you approved.

  5. 05Walkthrough & Open

    1 week

    A final walkthrough, a punch list, and a space that's ready for your first patient.

    • Final walkthrough and punch list
    • Styling and final touches
    • Hand-off so you can open with confidence
    Our time
    Your timeA final walkthrough together — the fun part

    You'll receive

    A punch-listed, styled, photo-ready practice — and the keys to opening day.

    We'll need from you

    • · An hour to walk the space together
    • · Your opening-day plans, so we time the handoff right

    Owners ask

    What if something isn't right at walkthrough?

    That's exactly what the punch list is for. We document every item, the contractor corrects them, and we verify before you open.

Plan backward from opening day

Put real dates on it.

Choose your target opening and we'll back-compute every phase into a working calendar — so you know exactly when to start.

Opening-Day Planner

When do you want to see your first patient?

Pick a target and we'll work the whole journey backward into real dates.

14 weeks
8 (light remodel)20 (full build-out)

To open by May 2027, feasibility should start by ~November 21.

  1. 01Feasibilitylate Nov 2026 → early Dec 2026
  2. 02Conceptearly Dec 2026 → mid Dec 2026
  3. 03Design Developmentmid Dec 2026 → mid Jan 2027
  4. 04Buildmid Jan 2027 → late Apr 2027
  5. 05Walkthrough & Openlate Apr 2027 → early May 2027

Directional planning schedule — permitting & scope can shift it

Make May 2027 real — book a consult
The promise underneath it all

You run your practice. We run the build — and keep you in the loop without burying you in it.

Ready to start your space?

Book a design consult — a calm, focused conversation about your project, budget, and timeline. No pressure, no jargon.

Book a Design ConsultEstimate your project cost