Why Design-Build is So Good

We’re often asked about the advantages of design-build over the conventional system of architect and general contractor. It’s a great question and with decades of design-build experience under our belts, we feel like it’s a good time to call out our top ten reasons why the design-build system is so good.

1. Everybody is on the same team: We’re all in this together and we all have the same goal –to arrive at a successful project that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations for their project. When challenges are encountered on a project (and there are always challenges), pointing fingers is not an option, everyone rolls up their sleeves and works on solutions.

2. Total accountability: One entity is accountable for everything –including how the end result looks, how much it costs and the timeline of completion. When the same group that designs the project also builds the project, there tends to be much more attention given to pricing and scheduling in the design phase. The cost of everything is taken into account early on in the process; all fees, construction costs, utilities, landscaping allowances –everything.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for us to hear from people that “their remodel cost twice as much as the architect said it would” –such a scenario is entirely unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build focuses on results, not excuses.

3. Continuity: A design-build firm is involved from start to finish, which adds an inherent efficiency. The chance for things to fall through the cracks is greatly diminished.

4. Expertise: Design-build firms are experts in both fields. The principals should be licensed architects with formal architectural training and experience in the architecture field. They should also have professional experience in construction and understand pricing, sequencing and how buildings go together. If they’re anything like us, they have professional structural engineering experience to boot.

In the new economy we’re noticing architects trying a bit too hard to look like design-build operations without having any field training. Likewise, we’ve raised our eyebrows at a few general contractors who claim to, all the sudden, be accomplished designers.

There is a tremendous advantage to working with architects that can think like builders and builders who can think like architects, but design-build is a commitment, something you dedicate yourself to for an entire career –not just when it’s convenient.

5. Professional guides: We’ve all heard the stories that design and construction can get out of hand and messy. Design and construction shouldn’t be chaotic or stressful. A design-build firm is a beacon to clients throughout the process, guiding the way to the best possible outcome. Design-build refines a system from beginning to end and manages the chaos into orderly steps.

6. Involvement: Design-build operates under the assumption that the client actually wants to be an active participant in the design and construction of their home. By taking an involvement they’re guaranteeing that they get the outcome and satisfaction of their goals – what they want is going to be achieved. We’ve found that such an involvement is inspiring and gives people a lasting sense of pride about their home.

7. Collaboration: Design-build cuts out the big egos so common in the design industry. In design-build the client retains total control over the project and the team is there to empower them.

8. The best kind of communication is open, honest and often: Design-build is transparent because we want clients to understand the process and to know what’s going on. The best partnerships work, not because people say what everyone wants to hear, but because they say what everyone needs to hear. Through clear communication the budget is defined early on and it becomes the agreement for the entire project.

9. Time is of the essence: Design and construction involves managing hundreds of timelines that need to coordinate in lockstep. Design-build creates opportunities for clients to sit with big decisions, ask questions, and consider their options. Anything the team can do to avoid taking steps backwards is going to lead to better, faster and more cost-effective results. The design-build system is highly adaptive and responsive in the field. Big decisions can be revisited during construction without change orders or additional fees. The conventional story is that if you make changes it will cost you money – not necessarily so in design-build.

10. Cost savings: Inherent to the design-build model is a savings of approximately 10% of the project costs. We’ll save the details for a future post but here’s the quick hit:

* Disclaimer: it’s possible to have nearly everything above with the traditional system of architect and builder; it’s just that we so rarely see it.  Typically it takes architects and builders decades of working together before they reach such efficiency with communication, mutual respect and trust.

Happy Weekend and cheers from Metamorphosis.