A Christie & Co report published earlier this year revealed that 2025 marked a year of recovery for the UK dental property market.
Confidence returned as funding terms became more accessible and one notable shift was the increasing presence of younger clinicians entering practice ownership earlier than originally planned.
And, with corporate owners also re-engaging with the market and dental groups expanding apace, 2026 looks to be similarly active.
This is good news for the contractors, who are being called upon to deliver new-build facilities and revamp and extend existing clinics.
K1 Builders, a London-based contractor operating across the UK, specialises in dental fit-outs and refurbishments and has delivered over 50 projects within the sector, including multi-surgery clinics, full refurbishments, and complex redevelopment schemes.
“K1 Builders brings a specialist understanding of both construction and clinical workflow, ensuring that each project is not only compliant, but also optimised for day-to-day clinical use,” said director, Kaloyan Mishev.
“We have got a lot of dental clients who are leasing or buying properties and calling on us to convert them into compliant clinical facilities.
From specialised lead lining for X-ray rooms, to complex medical gas piping and high-grade infection control surfaces, projects need to be properly considered and it’s important to choose contractors who are aware of all these challenges
“In some cases they are also looking to extend existing buildings or turn disused spaces, such as larger waiting areas, into additional clinical rooms.
“We have converted everything from large commercial spaces to gymnasiums.
“Almost any building can be converted, but when dealing with dental clinics, there are strict regulations to follow, for example ensuring projects meet rigorous CQC standards and HTM 01-05 decontamination requirements.
“From specialised lead lining for X-ray rooms, to complex medical gas piping and high-grade infection control surfaces, projects need to be properly considered and it’s important to choose contractors who are aware of all these challenges.”
He advises dental owners to involve contractors and architects as early as possible.
“This is particularly important if you are dealing with a complex building, for example listed buildings, as it can be really difficult to make the necessary changes, especially if internal elements are legally protected.
“You also need to carefully consider things like X-ray equipment and the placement of chairs, switches, and sockets as these all impact on the overall design and how the clinical spaces will work in practice.
“Things like airlines and water supplies may need to be placed in the walls or underground and as flooring and wall coverings often have to be made of antibacterial vinyl, these come as a single sheet and you can’t cut them up later on to put these utilities in. Everything needs to be meticulously planned.
While overall project durations can vary depending on complexity, approvals, and equipment lead times, our focus is always on efficient delivery and minimising disruption to clinical operations
“That’s why having a specialist contractor on board can really help to reduce problems and keep projects on track.”
Refurbishment projects can be delivered in just one week, with more-complicated projects taking up to six weeks.
Mishev said: “A single dental surgery treatment room can usually be completed within 7–10 working days while X-ray room installations, including lead lining, are also typically delivered within 7–10 working days, depending on specification.
“A full refurbishment of a small clinic, for example 4–5 surgeries including a reception, circulation areas, and staff facilities is generally completed within 4–6 weeks, subject to scope and planning constraints.
“While overall project durations can vary depending on complexity, approvals, and equipment lead times, our focus is always on efficient delivery and minimising disruption to clinical operations.
By focusing exclusively on the dental sector, we have developed long-term partnerships with our clients, with many practices returning to us for subsequent phases of expansion and refurbishment
“Often practice owners do not realise how specialist these projects are – it is not the same as building an extension on your house.
“Dental fit-out projects require a highly co-ordinated approach, where infrastructure such as medical gases, drainage, electrical systems, and infection control finishes must be carefully integrated from the earliest stages.”
The team works closely with leading suppliers such as Henry Schein, ensuring seamless co-ordination between construction, equipment installation, and commissioning.
“By focusing exclusively on the dental sector, we have developed long-term partnerships with our clients, with many practices returning to us for subsequent phases of expansion and refurbishment”, said Mishev.
“Our advice is to make sure you work with contractors who know what they are doing and that is why we find the same practices come back to us time and time again.”