Design Build

Design Build is a project delivery method, where design and construction are handled by a single person or company. The person or company is given the task of completing design, obtaining building permits, and completing all construction. It can be the designer or the builder who is responsible for the design build project, although historically it has been the builder, sometimes referred to the Master Builder. Design Build differs from the Design-Bid-Build approach, where the client hires a designer, then sends the plans to various contractors and builders for pricing.

Advantages of Design Build Construction

Design build is an excellent method of construction, particularly for home renovations, house additions, and custom homes. Here are seven advantages of using the design-build method of construction vs. the design-bid-build method:

1. Single Point of Contact

With both design and construction in the hands of a single person or company, there is a single point of contact and responsibility.

2. Single Source of Accountability

The design build approach provides a single source of accountability for your entire project. The design builder is motivated to deliver a project that meets the functional and aesthetic needs of the homeowner, in a timely basis. Design Build eliminates the inherent disputes between the designer and the builder, which the homeowner must mediate.

3. Time Savings

There is significantly less time requirement for a homeowner in a design-build project. In the design-bid-build method, the homeowner selects an architect, approves the design, bids the project, selects a contractor, and then acts as an intermediary between the architect and the builder. With the design build method, the homeowner, after selecting a design builder, can focus on approving the design and selecting products, rather than the additional bidding and selection work, and ongoing coordination between the architect and the builder.

4. Faster Project Completion

Design build projects can be completed in a shorter amount of time because the costing and scheduling process is started and often completed during the design phase. Studies have shown that the amount of time from start of design to completion of construction is reduced by 10% to 30% with a design build project.

In addition to creating a new looks and repairing broken items, here are some items to consider in a bathroom renovation:

5. Budget Management

Discussing budget during the design phase helps keep the project within a realistic budget. When the builder is the lead in the design build process, the homeowner can be made aware of the cost implications of design decisions during the design process, and it ensures that the owner plays a key role in arriving at the final project price. While the final cost will not be determined until plans and complete and permits obtained, the final figure should not be significantly different than the ongoing budget discussions. The likelihood that a design build project is cancelled for budget reasons is minimal, whereas with a design-bid-build it is a more frequent occurrence.

6. Quality Control

With the design build project, the design builder is responsible for the overall quality of the project. The homeowner's requirements are set early in the process and it is the design builder’s sole responsibility to produce those results. In a design-bid-build arrangement, the homeowner assumes significant risk, if the drawings the builder is working from are found to have errors, or do not adequately convey the homeowner’s vision of the project to the builder.

7. Cost Savings

Because the design and construction team are working together throughout the design process, the construction side of the team can review the design and offer alternatives that may reduce the construction cost. With the design-bid-build method, the final drawings are sent for bid, and the builder must build according to the design, even if less costly alternatives may be available.

Inspire Homes designs and builds house additions and custom homes in the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, East York, Scarborough, Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Oakville, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Aurora, Newmarket, Markham, Halton Region, and Durham Region. Occasionally we venture outside of these areas, so give us a call even if you’re outside of these areas and we will see if we can accommodate your house addition or custom home project.