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Question:
What is the difference between a Design / Build Remodeler and other Remodelers?
Answer:
Design / Build is pretty much just what the name states; one Company designs and builds the
project. Many design / build Remodelers like ourselves have designers on staff, but in-house design is not necessarily a requirement to be considered design / build. The builder should however oversee and control the scope of
the design to be considered design / build. Non-design / build contractors are set up differently. They perform the construction of the project only. If this is the case, the homeowner must start with a third party for design,
then shop the plans around for a builder.
Are there any advantages to design / build? In my opinion there are quite a few. The biggest advantage is that since the builder is preparing the design, the budget becomes a
factor in how the project is designed. I have seen time and time again where designers or architects have designed monumental remodeling projects that are out of the price range of their clients. Unfortunately, the owner
usually doesn't find this out until they start shopping the plans around. Time to reach for the industrial size aspirin bottle.
Design / build takes the old process and reverses it - budget first - then design. Whoever
thought of this should get the Nobel peace prize. Many a battle has been eliminated due to this small change. That's not to say that design is not given careful consideration, but simply that the budget is considered just as
important as design. After all, what good is a fancy design if you can't afford to build it? Also, most design / build contractors are set up to take the job from design through completion all under one roof. This eliminates
finger pointing if problems occur. Have you ever seen a builder and designer fight? Pencils and hammers all over the place.
With design / build, since the builder is also the designer, any design problems can be worked
out quickly, without the owner acting as the referee. It makes good sense to use one firm from start to finish. It's called design / build.
Answered by: Patrick Benkowski, CR
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