The staff of St. John Animal Clinic moved into two trailers during their remodeling project.

"I think it's a good way to do it if you want to stay on site," says Dr. Austin. "But I would do it differently a second time."

Dr. Austin purchased two old house trailers and refurbished them to continue his veterinary practice.

He says the $40,000-plus if cost him was twice what he had first expected.

If he were to do it again, Dr. Austin says he would purchase newer trailers.

He learned that it was not economical to rent trailers because of the cost of converting them to veterinary use and then back again when done.

He was not able to find another building located near his indiana Practice that was available for short-term rental.

"Consider it, but consider it very carefully, and expect it to cost more than you calculate," Austin advises.

How about staying in the building while it's being remodeled?

"The key thing is just being well organized," notes Monica Polchert, office manager at Munster Animal Hospital.

"I wish I had planned better, but I don't know how much of that could be controlled," says Ms. Polchert in retrospect.

Coordinating hospital operations with contractors' schedules was especially tricky because the Munster Animal Hospital operates on a non-appointment basis.

The demolition and construction occurred at their busiest time of year, late winter through summer.

Surgeries, boarding and grooming, all done by appointment, were worked in around the construction process.

But walk-in health care procedures cannot be planned.

Excessive noise was mentioned as a problem under both circumstances.

"Anytime you're doing anything like that it's never a walk in the park," says Ms. Polchert.

Still, it was worth it.

"I'm really proud of what we've done. We get compliments all the time," she says.

Dr. Austin says his clients admire the new and improved facility, too.

And he says he already has a prospective buyer for his trailers.