Learn When It Makes More Sense To Use A Design-Build Remodeler

When you're investing in a home remodeling project, and have chosen to use professionals, you basically have two routes you can take to reach your goal. The traditional path is known as “Design, Bid, Build,” and involves hiring a designer or architect and a contractor separately.

The second path involves hiring a design-build firm. This arrangement gives you the benefit of working with a single entity for all stages of your project. A design-build firm offers homeowners both design and construction services under the same corporate umbrella. Designers lead some design-build firms, others by builders, but both include design and building services at their core.

In this post, we'll look at the advantages of working with a design-build-remodeler for your next home improvement project, and when it makes sense to hire a design-build remodeling professional.

A Design-Build Remodeler Defined

The short definition:

“Design-build is a simple approach to construction in which a single entity provides both the design and construction services for an entire project.”

This single-point-of-contact approach has several benefits for homeowners over the traditional multi-vendor approach. Traditionally with a design, bid, build approach, the person uses at least two different companies for their project. First, they will hire an architect or designer and then a builder to construct the designer's vision.

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While this can be a great way to go, you have several advantages when you work with a single-point-of-contact. First, because all phases are handled in a single office, it allows for a more efficient budgeting process. If the budget needs to be re-allocated, it happens within one company. This can give you more bang for your buck as you can better balance your budget with your design goals.

Dealing with one entity also simplifies the process. It means you'll be dealing with a single group of people. In fact, many design-build firms will assign a project manager to your remodeling who will be available to you at all times. Because he will work in the same office as the other team members on your job, communication is easier. Finally, another big benefit is the overall increasing efficiencies of working with a unified team.

Seven Scenarios Where Hiring A Design Build Remodeler is the Right Choice

Some projects naturally lend themselves to the design-bid-build method, while for other projects, it makes much more sense to work with a single firm from start to finish. If you're unsure if the design-build process makes sense for your project, here are seven situations where a design-build remodeler may be the right choice.

You Want To Take The Master Builder Approach

Back in the day, architects and builders were not as “separate” as they are today. It's true that even within a design-build firm, the designers are separate from the builders; however, in a design-build firm, there is a close collaboration between these two entities that results in a similar, old-school, “master builder” approach. With a design-build remodeler, you'll enjoy a close integration between the design side and the building side, resulting in better communication and more efficient use of your budget.

You Want A Specialist

The design-build model brings together your entire project team under one roof – including your designer, contractor, engineer, and any specialty contractors – early in the process. As a result, you can be sure that your project has been scheduled, and any tricky construction issues are dealt with from the beginning of the process.

You're on A Tight Schedule

When you're working with multiple vendors like a designer and a contractor, there can sometimes be disagreements on how things should be done, resulting in serious slowdowns. When you work with a design-build remodeler, everyone is on the same team. This results in better communication and faster timelines. Also, because your working with a unified team, construction can often begin while the final design details are still being ironed out.

You Want A Team That Works Well Together

While there's never a guarantee for a conflict-free experience, one positive of working with a design-build remodeler is that the key players know, respect, and work well together. Because the two halves of your team are already working as one unit, ironing out changes, making design adjustments, and reallocating budgets tend to be quicker and smoother. This is important because conflicts between your architect and contractor can not only slow down progress; it can inflate your costs, even bring your job to a grinding halt while the issues are resolved.

It's Time to Fix Up Your Fixer Upper!

Renovating your fixer-upper can be challenging even under the best conditions. Add the logistical, organization, and emotional elements of negotiating multiple contracts, dealing with multiple personalities, conflicting ideas, and multiplying the stress. A design-build remodeler handles everything under one roof (and one contract!), so you can eliminate many of the hassles if you're dealing with a designer and contractor separately.

Staying on Budget is Number One

In the traditional design-bid-build model, multiple contractors will bid on your project to potentially save money on construction. However, while you might get a great price, many other factors can escalate costs like poor communication between your team members, and excessive change orders can wreak havoc on your budget. In the design-build model, your team is under one roof and works together on a common goal. This helps to cut down on unnecessary changes and keeps everyone on the same page when it comes to your budget!

You Want A More Sustainable Green Home

You may already know that there are architects who specialize in green building, but did you know that today there are also many design-build remodelers that count this as a specialty? Hiring a “green” design-build remodeler is a good choice if you're looking for a complete remodel, an addition, or a new build that utilizes green building methods, principals, and materials like passive energy, high-energy efficiency, and low VOC materials.

While the traditional model of design-bid-build is tried and true, today, homeowners have a choice. Design-build, as a business model, makes plenty of sense in several different scenarios. Design-build offers homeowners a single point of contact, better communication, design and budget efficiency, and a simplified process.

With a design-build approach, better teamwork leads to higher quality and lower costs. If you're planning a home remodeling project, it's worth your while to explore working with a design-build remodeler.

If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area and are considering a remodeling project, give the award-winning design team at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We can help you make the right choices to meet your needs and fit your budget. Call today for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your project.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/2/2022.