Design/Build

Unified Approach

Over the last 25 years a concept has evolved which is known as the "design/build" approach to residential construction. It is an alternative to using a separate General Contractor, Architect, and Interior Designer where one company is responsible for providing all of the above services to the consumer.

The design/build approach provides a single source of responsibility and accountability for the entire process. You are never put in the position of being a mediator in disputes between the Architect, the interior designer and the builder.

The goal is to improve coordination and to minimize the hassle and stress of constructing a single family home by having a unified professional team in charge of all phases, from concept to final completion.

Reality Based Design

This approach saves money because your home is designed from the beginning with a specific budget in mind. Since the builder is also the designer/drafter, your home will be designed with the most cost effective methods and materials.

The design/build approach also saves money on design. Since the builder is accountable for the translation of ideas from concept to final product, the plan details and specifications provided by outside professionals are reduced, saving thousands of dollars due to reduced requirements for documentation and unnecessary drawings. Further, we provide the construction documents without charge to clients who hire us as a builder, thereby completely eliminating the design cost.

Committed Design – Unknown Cost

When dealing solely with the designer or an Architect, you have to commit to a design without knowing the cost of your new home. This often results in an unbuilt design or one that is much, much more expensive than your original expectations or intentions. In many cases you are forced to lower your specifications because you are tied to a set of plans that are too costly to redraw.

Real Time Savings

The design/build approach saves time and money. Estimating, design and price gathering from subcontractors and suppliers happens simultaneously and since the designer and builder are the same entity, your home can be fast tracked with a unified schedule.

Competitive Bidding?

The only negative consequence to this approach to the owner is the lack of competitive bidding. In our opinion and experience, competitive bidding doesn't work in any fashion and results usually in stress, confusion and disappointment to the owners. Decisions based on the competitive bidding approach to custom home construction are the riskiest decision anyone can make.

Trust Based Relationship

Establishing a comfortable working relationship between you and your builder is the single most important factor in determining how successful and pleasurable your home-building experience will be. Design/Build establishes a unified working relationship between the owners and those responsible for completing your home. In our opinion this is the most important reason for choosing the Design/Build approach.