Why Consider Design/Build?
What is Design/Build?
The Design/Build firm combines high-quality, professional design services with high-quality, professional construction services. This marriage of operating style and service provides you the client with a seamless, cost-effective, functional project from one accountable source.
This concept is nothing new or radical. Early craftspeople were often designers. In medieval times, guildsmen were directed by the master mason who functioned in much the same role as today's builder/designer. He not only sketched the plans for the project but managed the construction as well.
Early in the twentieth century gentlemen architects separated themselves from the 'working class' of the trades resulting in a disconnect between architectural design intent and construction. Today, building a modern home is a complex process requiring the coordination of hundreds of people, from designers and engineers to suppliers and craftsmen. These complexities have led to a resurgence in the design/build delivery process. The coupling of design and construction has proven itself to be an efficient way to minimize costly building issues during the construction phase of a project.
What are the Advantages of Design/Build?
For those of you who are considering home renovations as well as new homes, design/build provides many advantages.
Cost-Effective
The single most important reason to consider design/build is that the design/builder has the expertise to design and construct to a realistic, specified budget. Guarding your budget requires diligent estimating, purchasing and assessing of actual job costs. Unless you have an unlimited budget, careful and knowledgeable adherence to budget is crucial.
Value Engineering
Unlike conventional "design-bid-build", where the architect's estimates are only verified by the marketplace when final bids come in, we assemble a team of potential trade contractors for the project to provide cost and design feedback throughout the design and bidding process. In this manner, we not only uncover cost problems before we're totally committed to them, but gain the benefit of dialog with others who might suggest more cost-effective alternatives.
Practical Construction
When the firm designing your project is a construction company, the design is likely to be more 'buildable'. The design/builder can quickly determine whether your proposed project is feasible in terms of budget before you invest time and money in the design. A design/build company knows what products work well, have reliable warranties and are locally available at competitive prices. They also know what construction methods and techniques are best suited for your situation and how that translates into overall cost.
One-Stop Shopping
Design/builders manage every aspect of a project from start to finish. They take your ideas from the outset, return with suggestions and selections and ultimately present you with a completed project that represents those original ideas. The concept of one accountable expert is attractive in that keeps your project free of 'interpretations' as it moves from the design to the construction phase.
Single-Point Responsibility
Should problems arise (and they will!), sole accountability prevents your project from becoming bogged down with finger pointing between individuals. Problems are resolved quickly and often without the client even knowing there was a problem.
Affordable Professional Design
Design/build firms have made customized, professional design affordable to a wider population. Using a design/build company to produce plans ensures that the design you love is one that can actually be constructed within your budget. The designs are geared toward production, saving you money through a more streamlined process. A professional, affordable design will add value to your home in terms of livability and scalability.
Saves Time
With design/build you are likely to save several months in completion of a project over conventionally separated design and construction services. Entering into the design phase, the design/builder already knows where your project fits into the schedule. You are not in the position of having to complete the design phase of the project before you begin to interview the builder. For some projects, specific planning and construction phases can be overlapped.
Strong Working Relationship
The tenor of your relationship with your builder is established during the design phase of your project. Your builder learns what is important to you, and your comfort level increases through getting to know the company before construction actually begins. During the design phase you establish a way of working with your builder that will carry over into the construction phase. You know your contact person within the company, the company's procedures and its attitude toward customer service.
Design/build is an operating style that fits the times. One-stop shopping, accountability, functional and cost-efficient design are highly valued by today's consumer. Northcape Design/Build is the design/build team that can provide expert design and quality construction for your project.