Design Build

What is design-build?
Design-build is simply a term that recognizes your design and build teams are one in the same. The traditional process has the client hiring an architect, then an engineer, and then a contractor. This leaves three areas where information needs to be transferred from first the client, then to the architect, on to the engineer, and finally to the contractor via the plans. With design-build approach however, that team is all encompassing, it is one entity. This means from start to finish, we are fully accountable to all the client's needs. Our on staff architects are intimately involved with the actual construction of the project, making sure all the client's needs have been met in the field.

How does design-build generate trust?
From day one, the trust factor can start with the design-build approach. With the amount of time that is spent in this initial phase developing a partnership through the design process, that time/trust investment is not lost if the client has chosen the design-build route. The traditional method would have that relationship lost when they walk out of the architect's office, plans in hand, on search of a general contractor. Since trust is so important when making these improvements to your family's life, the design-build approach simply makes more sense. By keeping the design and construction in the same office, the trust factor developed during the design process becomes the established trust factor with the contractor before a hammer is ever swung.

Why does design-build save me money?
Yes, it makes more "cents"! Simply put, when taking the traditional route, an architect needs to ensure they have pulled together a very thorough set of plans. Then, these very detailed plans go out to several contractors for bids. If something is not detailed, the bidding contractors will automatically assume the cheapest route knowing that a big part of the client's selection is based upon the most competitive price. Then when it comes time for construction, something the client told the architect may not have been clearly stated in the plans, leaving it open for the awarded contractor to request a costly change order for the upgrade. However, with the design-build approach, we would have been held accountable for that item even if it wasn't in the plans, because we were involved from day one and knew what "quality of granite" you wanted. Therefore our initial contract price already had all those potential ambiguities factored, and no field requested change orders are needed. The only change orders in the design-build process are those that come due to the client providing brand new information.

Does design-build save me time?
Time is money, and anywhere we can find more time in our lives, we can find more ways to better our lives. Having said this, the design-build route can cut large percentages of time out of the project. Again, since we don't have to go to the level of detail needed in the drawings per the traditional route, we can save weeks during the design process. Also, once the pricing is completed and contracted upon, we can then start entering into subcontract agreements ensuring we will have subcontractors lined up to be on the jobsite at the needed times. We can also start doing numerous other tasks that typically slow down the traditional process. All in all, we can save anywhere from 25-50% of the time per the traditional route.

Where can I find more information on design-build?
As my 80yr old grandmother would say with a smile, "Google it"! Please, go on your own search to understand the benefits yourself. If you have found a trustworthy partner in the industry, licensed, insured, etc., it is almost guaranteed to be a much better experience.