Q:

Dr. M

Once again  - thank you.  It's hard when I'm here by myself without 
conversation to bounce off someone.  

I have two practices available:
1. good building, the one I personality want (compared to a strip 
mall), but needs build out work.  Rent $1350 for 1350 sq.ft.  great 
parking, visibility. 

2.  DC changing careers (going to Med School)  wants to sell for 
$30 grand, only equip. is 2 tables, x-ray equip. but has separate 
rooms.  Very cut up.  I want an open adj. room, I could open with it 
but its not the office floor plan I want.  Price includes 50 files.  rent 
is $950

A:

Thanks for the reply and questions. Deciding where to open is huge 
decision as moving week by week is not practical. Your first option 
of 1300 sq. ft. sounds great but is large and will take extra funds to 
create the layout you want and to fill with equipment and general 
office stuff. Again .. this goes back to the fees .. if you think $1300 a 
month is all its going to take think again. You are going to be blown 
away with the monthly obligations for utilities .. insurance and all 
that stuff. By the way .. not even think about adjusting a person 
without malpractice insurance .. !!!!!

The second option may be more practical and the $30,000 he wants 
can be pared down 
a bit depending on how you negotiate. The open adjusting setting can 
be worked in at a later date .. just takes some wall breaking if this 
is possible. 

Purchasing a practice has its questions as well. Can you maintain 
the office lease or will the landlord be doubling the rent the next 
year .. how many active patients are there .. how is the shape of the 
equipment .. etc. Buying an active practice gets you off the ground 
quicker and you can build on it. Charging less to their patients will 
not endear you to them .. educating them will. The fact that he is 
leaving for medical school tells you he is not grounded himself and 
probably never shared chiropractic with his patients. 

Not being there and viewing the locations etc. I would suspect that 
you look further or choose the location above that will cost less to 
get started and maintain .. seems the second choice is in that 
category. Also .. you must check the demographics .. between the two 
locations .. which one has the best potential to meet new people and 
potential patients.

Have a Great Day

Dr. M