Start where costs are low
- Rent a room in an existing clinic, gym or medical centre by the session.
- Home visits only: a car, a portable plinth and a kit. See mobile physio caseloads.
- Part-time first: keep some employed work while your own caseload grows.
Spend on what matters
- Registration and insurance. Non-negotiable.
- A few quality pieces of equipment. Plinth, bands, weights.
- Software that does booking, notes, invoicing and reminders, priced per month with no big setup cost.
Skip the expensive fit-out, branded everything and big advertising until the caseload is steady.
Get your first patients
- Tell everyone you know: former colleagues, GPs you have worked with, local gyms and clubs.
- A Google Business Profile with accurate hours and a booking link.
- Online booking so new patients can book at any hour. See online booking.
Keep fixed costs low
Fixed costs are what hurt in a quiet month. Session-based room hire and monthly software keep them small.
Track from day one
Know your patients seen, income, costs and rebooking rate each month. See thinking like a business owner.
Grow when the numbers say so
A full diary, a waiting list and steady income are the signals for a bigger room or a second physio. See running a solo practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a physio practice?
It can be modest if you rent a room by the session or start with home visits, using monthly software and a few pieces of equipment.
Can I start a practice part-time?
Yes. Many physios build their own caseload alongside employed work.
What is the most important first expense?
Registration and insurance, then the equipment and software you need to treat and run the practice safely.