How Working with the Same Company for Design & Construction Saves You Time and Money with Design-Build Services

If you’re planning on doing major renovations to your current home, such as a bathroom or kitchen remodel, or addition, you might think you need to hire an architect, builder, and subcontractors to get the job done. While that is the traditional method of designing and completing a home remodel, it’s not the most efficient. Not only does conventional construction take a great deal of time, it’s also expensive. In contrast, working with a design-build construction company saves both time and money by simplifying the process and maintaining a single point of contact. It also means you’ll have more control over the process and the end results.

What Is Design-Build Construction?

In traditional remodeling and renovating projects, the homeowner becomes the project manager who hires an architect to design the space and then a construction company to complete the build. Typically, the project is put up for bid with builders and the one who offers the best price and completion time-frame is chosen. Design-build, on the other hand, is a completely different approach. Instead of hiring a designer and searching for construction companies and individuals that will work with them, one company handles everything from initial design to final construction.

Simplified One Contract Process

Rather than signing contracts with an architect or designer, contractor, and possibly subcontractors, design-build projects require a single contract. The homeowner is relieved of the responsibility of finding professionals that can, and will, work together to bring their vision to life. With one entity in control, workflows are streamlined since everyone collaborates and works together as a team. A single contract also means that there is only one check to write instead of multiple checks to different companies. All of these things work together to simplify the design and build process and produces better, faster results.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a single contract is that there is only one point of communication. That begins with a discussion about your budget and carries through to the design, construction, and completion phase. Companies like InSite Builders & Remodeling place a high value on communication and insist on transparency from the first meeting with a customer. This ensures that the project satisfies the customer’s needs and fits within their stated budget.

Design-Build Construction Saves Time

It takes time to build a house or to complete a remodeling project, that’s a given. How much time it takes depends upon the design and building process. Traditionally, you have to wait for bids to come in, make the decision on who to go with and then wait some more for the project to get started. There’s always a chance of schedule conflicts for subcontractors, material delivery delays and a myriad of other issues. In other words, the process can drag on for an extended period, causing stress, strain, and agitation.

When you’re just dealing with one company from start to finish, you don’t have to jump through as many hoops or wait nearly as long. In fact, design-build construction projects are completed 33% faster on average than traditional projects. Why? There are fewer steps in the process, more accurate scheduling, and an easier time obtaining materials when they’re needed.

Design-Build Construction Saves Money

As they say, time is money and when a project drags on it automatically adds to the total cost. This is often the case with traditional methods of designing and building a home. It can be difficult to get an accurate cost estimate when the estimates are coming from multiple sources. Your contractor might give one estimate, but a subcontractor may present a much higher estimate. What’s more, conflicts between the architect, builder, or subcontractors, wasted resources, and other incidental costs can wreak havoc on a budget.

When you choose a design-build company for your project you can expect to save up to 10% over traditional construction. You save on multiple fronts including not having to take time off work to meet with the designer, then the contractor, and any other companies that need your input. Materials and supplies are scheduled to arrive when they’re needed and only in the quantities that are necessary. That means less waste and fewer additional material and supply orders that need to be made.

Design-Build Construction Is Inclusive

Remodeling your home, whether it’s one room or the entire house, is both exciting and a bit daunting. You know what you want your home to look like when it’s complete, but you’re not completely sure on how to make those things happen. That’s where your designer or architect comes in. They take your ideas and turn them into solid plans that are then passed on to the builder who makes them a reality. The problem is, conventional designers and builders don’t always see eye-to-eye and that can create conflicts and delays that cost both time and money.

Design-build construction avoids these conflicts by including the homeowner, designer, architect, and builder at every stage of the process. From the very beginning, the homeowner’s wants and needs are taken into consideration by every member of the team. If a change order is necessary along the way, it’s faster and easier to implement since there are fewer players in the game. In other words, it’s a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages progress.

Choosing a Design-Build Construction Team

As you can see, a design-build remodel project is more efficient, less expensive, and faster than traditional remodeling. You’ll also be involved in every step of the process, but not completely responsible for everything. Finding a good design-build team starts with communication. You have to feel comfortable expressing your wants and needs and the company you’re working with has to have great listening skills.

If you’re a homeowner in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, or Upper Northwest DC and you’re considering an interior home remodel, look no further than InSite Builders & Remodeling. Our designers and builders are experts in their crafts, but more importantly, they’re great listeners. We are more than just talented builders and remodelers, we’re neighbors and that means we have a vested interest in your happiness. Whether you want a specially designed gourmet kitchen, spa-like primary bathroom, or your basement turned into a beautiful living space, we welcome the opportunity to work with you. Contact us to learn more about our design-build process, or to schedule a consultation with one of our experts today.