Rising construction costs have made dental office design one of the biggest financial risk factors in a startup. In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast, Scott Leune sits down with Chris Raba, owner of Lean Dental Design, to explain how poor space planning, bloated layouts, and inefficient design decisions quietly drive up construction costs and leave dentists over budget before they ever open. They break down why usable square footage matters more than total size, how small design choices can create massive cost swings, and why detailed planning and value engineering are now essential in today’s construction climate. If you’re planning a startup, relocation, or expansion, this episode shows how smarter design can protect your budget and your long-term success