Why Design-Build is the Best Choice for Your Remodel or Custom Home
January 10, 2025
Are you planning to remodel your current home or build a custom home this year? If you are in the midst of researching your options, you may have come across the term “design-build.” What does design-build mean and should you consider it for your project?
Design-build is a project delivery method that is recognized as the “fastest growing and most commonly used” method in the United States today. In more traditional construction and remodeling methods, you as the homeowner might hire a designer or architect to create your project, and then a contractor to build it. Or you might verbally tell the contractor what you want, and leave it up to him to make it happen. With design-build, you hire one company to plan, design, and build your project from start to finish. Everything is done in-house, which–as you’ll see–is very beneficial to you.
Design-Bid-Build Vs. Design-Build
Design-bid-build, also known as the traditional method of product delivery, is when you as the homeowner hire someone to design your project. You might need an architect to draw up plans for a new custom home, or a designer to help you plan a large-scale remodel of your existing home. After you have these plans, you collect bids from contractors. Sometimes, if the planned remodel is smaller, you may just collect bids without having plans, relying on the contractors to come up with plans.
The problem with this method is that sometimes the details of the project are ironed out after the contract is signed. Things you wanted or expected to be included in the plan might be handled as change orders or allowances, which means more expense for you. And because your contractor is working from someone else’s plans, if problems or challenges come up, he may have trouble coming up with workable solutions.
With design-build, one company handles the designing, planning, and construction. This integrated approach means that your team is working with you to capture your vision for your home, proactively solving problems, and working together to keep your project on track. For BOLT, this means that either we design your project ourselves or we partner with our team of trusted architects and designers. We collaborate with you and each member of our team to give you the best experience and result possible.
Benefits of Design-Build
Design-build is more than just a method of project delivery. It’s also a way of thinking about the construction process. It emphasizes up-front planning, collaboration, creativity, and integration. There are many benefits of the design-build model.
#1. Collaboration and Teamwork
When all the planning, design, and construction take place within one company, everyone can collaborate more freely. Your team has the freedom to problem-solve together, coming up with creative solutions to problems and challenges they encounter. Because your designers know your project well and are in communication with your builders, they are able to give you ideas and advice as the project moves along, helping you make selections that fit in with your vision. Sometimes they can suggest things you hadn’t thought of initially (adding a skylight, putting outlets in an unconventional but helpful location, installing custom built-ins) that make your home even more perfect for you. All of this is possible because of the integrated approach a design-build team takes.
#2. Communication
One of the most frustrating parts of home remodeling for many people is the lack of communication they receive from their contractors. Homeowners don’t always know if and when someone will show up to work at their home, how long various parts of the project will take, or what to expect if challenges arise. Design-build companies are known for their excellent communication, between the team and the homeowner, and also within the team. There is generally a project manager in charge of the remodel or build, and that person is in contact with subcontractors, suppliers, designers, and the homeowner. You can expect regular updates and you also know who to contact if you have questions or concerns.
#3. An Accurate Budget
With a design-build approach, you can expect a very accurate budget before the project gets going. Because so much time is spent in design, talking about your wants and needs, making selections, and brainstorming solutions to potential problems, you can expect that the budget you’re handed before hammers start swinging will be very close to what you actually pay. While there are sometimes change orders and unforeseen issues, the fact is that they are much less common with design-build than other methods of work.
Design-build companies like BOLT Builders have a good understanding of what a realistic budget looks like. Unlike traditional contractors sometimes do, we won’t try to underbid other companies and then give allowances or expect large change orders to cover the difference. What you see is what you get.
#4. Reduced Stress
A home remodeling project or a custom build can be stressful for you, the homeowner. There are a lot of decisions to be made, there are people in and out of your space, and you often feel that you don’t have control over what’s going on in your home. In fact, there’s even a common visual representation of the emotions you can expect to feel during the process, called the Funk Chart. The good news is that, while you will likely still experience some highs and lows during your project, the process will be less stressful with a design-build company. You will know what to expect in terms of:
a timeline
teamwork
communication
the budget
the process
And just knowing those things will make it easier for you to deal with the stress that remodeling or home building brings.
#5. A Faster and Smoother Construction Phase
Because you’re working with one company, you can expect the construction process to be much smoother. The up-front planning means that materials are ordered on time, possible problems are ironed out before they occur, and subcontractors are lined up correctly. All this means that we stay much closer to our projected schedule than many construction companies. You will know what to expect and when, which makes life much easier for you.
Choosing A Great Design-Build Company
If you’re convinced that design-build is the right approach for you, how do you go about finding a great one? To start with, research local companies on sites like BBB, Houzz, and Google. Read reviews and see what kind of reputation they have in your community. When you have a list of a few that look promising, check out their websites. Do they offer helpful and knowledgeable information? Look at portfolios to see examples of their work.
Ask for references and talk to people who have used their services before. Would they use them again? What was the experience like? Were they satisfied with the work that was done? Then make sure you schedule a time to meet with companies you’re considering. You want to feel comfortable and reassured that you will enjoy working with them, that they listen to you, and that they have the expertise you need. For more on choosing the right builder for you, click here.
If you’re in the DC, Virginia, or Maryland area, we’d love to work with you. Contact BOLT Builders today and let’s get started planning and remodeling or building the home of your dreams.