The core principle of design-build project delivery is that the same firm handles the entire project, from the design phase through the construction process.
Design-build is a departure from the design-bid-build approach, which involves two separate contracts: one with an interior designer to create the plan and another with a general contractor to do the construction in your home.
With the design-build process, one contract covers the whole remodel, providing a seamless experience without the extra step of shopping around for bids from contractors after you’ve already hired someone to design the remodel.
Many homeowners are unfamiliar with the design-build method, so in this post, I want to highlight four of the unsung reasons why it’s a better choice for many home remodels.
Reason #1: The Power of Collaboration
A design-build firm operates as a single entity from day one, allowing it to take advantage of the power of collaboration. A design builder can leverage every team member’s skills and experience throughout the project, from preliminary drawings to architectural design to the finishing touches in construction.
This has two key benefits. First, collaboration brings out the best ideas, and, just as importantly, it enables those ideas to emerge at the right time so that they can be implemented without backtracking. Second, collaboration reduces surprises and mismatched expectations, which are common when the designer and general contractor work independently.
Finally, the spirit of collaboration in design-build firms tends to also be reflected in client communication. In our firm, for example, our in-house design team works closely with homeowners to understand their needs, go over ideas, and modify the design plan, all while being able to bounce ideas off the construction team whenever necessary.
Reason #2: The Design-Build Process Offers a Single Point of Contact
Project management is simpler with a design-build firm. Design-build is a construction delivery method that provides owners with both a single contract and a single point of contact for both the design and construction phases of a project.
This may not sound like a big deal, but, especially for construction projects with a lot of moving parts, it’s a major convenience to know exactly who to call when you have questions. Playing phone tag with the interior designer and the general contractor about design modifications or status updates is the last thing that a busy homeowner needs while their home is under construction.
Reason #3: Cost Savings from the Design-Build Method
Design-build typically leads to reduced construction costs for owners because of its efficiency.
Collaboration plays a role in this since the project team in design-build firms can provide insight into costs and constructability early in the design process, reducing unexpected expenses. Working as a team from day one translates to efficient resource management in a design-build project, allowing for better allocation of resources like equipment, materials, and labor.
The nature of design-build contracts also helps provide cost savings by reducing homeowners’ exposure to unexpected costs. Most design-build contracts are fixed-price contracts, so with design builders, one entity holds single-source responsibility and contractual risk for every aspect of a project.
In short, you pay the fixed price even if there’s an unexpected need for more labor or materials. This is a sharp contrast with the typical time-and-materials contracts used by general contractors, which require the homeowner to foot the bill for change orders.
Reason #4: Design-Build Firms Offer Efficient Project Delivery Timelines
On average, design-build delivers projects faster than traditional methods such as design-bid-build. One key reason for this is that design-build allows for concurrent design and construction, eliminating the second bidding phase needed in other methods.
With the design-bid-build model, it can take time to get proposals and choose a general contractor, and then you have to get on that contractor’s schedule. The better the contractor, the longer you usually have to wait to get started. As a result, there’s often a significant delay between “bid” and “build.”
I already mentioned how design-build enables better communication and collaboration among team members, which enhances project success. Scheduling is part of that, allowing for a quicker transition to construction and fewer schedule delays.
Collaboration also avoids confusion and conflict about implementing the design plans. With design-bid-build, sometimes contractors want to make modifications to your pre-existing design (often for technical or cost reasons). This can lead to back-and-forth with the designer that can bog down the timeline of your home remodel.
Finding a Great Design Builder
Ensuring a successful design-build project starts with selecting the right partner. When procuring design-build services, look beyond just the bid. The ideal project team integrates designers and skilled construction professionals who collaborate seamlessly with you and each other to create your unique vision.
For any firm, review their portfolio of project examples to verify that they possess the expertise necessary for your specific renovation. Ask for references from past clients, and ask around in your network to see if anyone has experience working with the firm. You can cross-check this information with online reviews, although those should always be taken with a grain (or two) of salt.
By combining different sources of information, you can get the most complete picture of a firm’s ability to carry out a high-quality remodel and deliver it on time and on budget.
Planning Your Home Remodel
Upscale Remodeling is a design-build firm that has been in business for more than three decades. We proudly serve the Ithaca area, offering integrated design and construction services to help our clients reach their project goals.
We invite you to learn more about the full scope of our remodeling services and see examples of our work in our portfolio. If you’re planning a remodel, we encourage you to contact us today for a consultation to discuss what we can achieve together.
