Design-Build Construction – Home Remodeling
Design-build construction is a method of home remodeling that can save project owners time and money. Having one entity, such as a general contractor, handle all the design and construction aspects of the work takes the hassle out of the building and remodeling process. This is an alternative to the design-bid-build process in which the work is divided among two or more companies with different areas of expertise.
Granting oversight to one company (headed by a contractor, architect, engineer or other design professional) streamlines the project. Because the design-build contractor is simultaneously estimating both design and construction costs, work can often begin while planning is still underway. This can avoid delays during which costs can rise and a host of other issues (weather, the economy, labor, etc.) can interfere with the timeline.
Bypassing the bidding process also improves the efficiency of the home remodeling project. Because soliciting the lowest bid often causes us to forget crucial details, their eventual discovery and addition to the work order increases the cost and timeline of the project.
Having a single point of contact who is intimately familiar with both construction and design and regularly prepares estimates ensures that the projections are on target. In contrast, an architect in charge of design who rarely gets involved in the nitty-gritty of construction may be unfamiliar with the latest costs for labor and materials, resulting in inaccurate estimates that will cause problems once work begins.
Also, in design-build, the company is paid for preparing the plan rather than doing it on speculation. This arrangement allows the home remodeling company to take the time and effort to do the work thoroughly and accurately.
Another advantage of design-build is that it’s clear where accountability lies. Disputes and “blame games” that happen when multiple contractors and subcontractors are involved are less likely to occur when the lines of authority are clear.
Design-Build has been favored among homeowners seeking reputation, high quality work, cost effectiveness and peace of mind.
