Defining Design-Build
So, you want to
remodel your house. You know the overall design and floor plan
layout of your house as it now exists and you know the ideal house
that you would like to have. The question is, how do you get from
here to there? We've all seen remodeling jobs that look like
mistakes. Every remodeling job -- whether it's an updated kitchen, a
master suite or a major addition -- deserves the skilled eye of a
design professional to enhance your ideas and smoothly integrate the
new with the old.
There are
several options for obtaining design skills. You could engage an
architect or residential design professional, who are specially
trained to handle large, complex jobs. An independent architect or
designer, however, might lack a realistic grasp of construction
costs -- especially for remodeling -- and create something beyond
your budget. And, you still have to hire a contractor to build
it.
At the other end
of the spectrum, a remodeling contractor might offer himself as a
design expert, based on several years of experience and perhaps some
architectural background. While such a remodeler can do the
construction work and is more likely than an architect to have a
good handle on costs, he might lack the skills to help you clarify
your ideas, solve complicated design problems, match or complement
architectural styles, or add extra value beyond the
basics.
Between these
two extremes is the design-build firm. As the name implies, such
firms specialize in home remodeling, providing both architectural
and construction skills under the same roof as a more efficient and
effective way to create great design within a budget.
Although
design-build companies vary, most operate separate yet coordinated
design and construction divisions. Usually, each division is set up
as a stand-alone business center, able to operate independently for
clients interested in just one skill or the other. Ideally, they
work as a team, shepherding a remodeling project from initial design
work through completion of construction, all the while sharing
ideas, evaluating and considering realistic costs, and creating a
seamless process for the homeowner.
By working with
a design-build firm, you can hire two companies for the price of
one, benefiting from professional skills and experience in both
realms. Most often, a project manager will guide you through the
process and be your single or primary point of contact throughout
the job. Along the way, you'll meet with in-house design
professionals, product selection specialists, a construction
supervisor, and key members of the building team -- all of whom work
together to ensure that what's drawn in the plans can be built on
the ground without sacrificing design quality or outstripping the
budget.
One way that
design-build firms keep your project budget in check is by
"crediting" or applying your design fees (usually paid as an upfront
deposit) to your construction costs once you sign a contract to
build. Already more affordable than an independent architect,
design-build firms reward you for transitioning to the "build" side
of the company once you're satisfied with the design work. If you
decide not to build or hire another company for the construction
phase (which is always your option), the firm retains your design
deposit for the work performed to that point.
The integration
of work within a design-build firm makes it an attractive option for
remodeling projects of any size and scope. The design-build firm is
typically more affordable than hiring separate design and
construction companies. Beyond considerations of cost, the choice of
a design-build firm often results in a more satisfying experience by
offering a seamless, budget-conscious process while ensuring
professional, value-added design. Warm regards,
 
Dwight Sailer
& Bryan Soth
HighCraft Builders
429 S.
Howes Street
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970.472.8100 -
phone
info@highcraft.net
www.highcraft.net
c. 2006 All
rights reserved.
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