Design-Build is all about simplifying and streamlining the home building process.
In the traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery method, you work with an architect to design your home. With the architects schematic drawings in hand, next you'd bid out the project and select a different home building firm to handle the construction. Splitting the project in that way, however, can lead to miscommunication and differences of professional opinion that undermine efficiency and lead to costly scope creep. Nobody wants that.
With a Design-Build contract, you sign one contract with one firm – meaning the builder is involved from the beginning, and helps guide the design process. Through consistent collaboration, everyone stays on the same page from start to finish.
The Design-Build Process
Our 7-Step Design-Build Process covers all bases of your project, and ensures clear, concise, and active involvement of the entire team from initial consultation to final project walk-through.
With this method, we optimize collaboration and overall value of the full team's skills and knowledge all the way to the end. Here's what it will look like:
Initial Consultation
You meet with your Design-Build team so they can get a general idea of your vision including any specific materials, your goals, and ballpark budget for the project.
Preliminary Proposal
Your team presents a preliminary budget and design agreement, which outlines what you can expect in the process. After reviewing the preliminary scope and budget of the project, you sign the design agreement.
Design Development
With architectural drafters, you will explore design options and select features, products, and finishes. This process gives you the ability to refine the plans until they meet your expectations.
Final Proposal
You are presented with the final plans, specifications and a turnkey price for your project. Contract documents are executed so the real excitement – construction - can begin!
Pre-Construction
Your Design-Build team will ordermaterials, coordinate labor, obtain necessary permits, and develop a detailed schedule. You will also meet your Project Superintendent and Production Manager to discuss all details that contribute to developing clear expectations.
Construction
You can expect your project to begin on the scheduled start date and your on-site Project Superintendent to keep you informed as work progresses. Your Production Manager will make routine site visits to ensure the job stays on schedule withminimum disruptions.
Final Walk-Through
Once construction on your new home is finished and the work site is cleaned, you will be invited for a final walk-through with your Superintendent and a final checklist to ensure all systems and structures meet the pre-determined expectations for your project.
Benefits of Design-Build
There are several practical reasons Design-Build is the optimal delivery method when you’re building a new custom home in Gainesville, Florida, or the surrounding area.
By working with one firm for the entirety of the project, you have a single source of accountability as your project moves from planning to construction. Benefits of this process include:
Continuity
The Design-Build process is the seamless and streamlined marriage between what was traditionally executed through multiple contracts. Each aspect of your team – designers and builders – are joined as one expert team.
Streamlined Communication
With a Design-Build team, the chances for miscommunication throughout your project is greatly diminished. This one-team method ensures your needs, budget, and expectations are constantly communicated and adhered to.
Owner Involvement
Through the entirety of the 7-Step Design-Build process, your specific choices regarding plans, materials, and fixtures is easily communicated and effectively executed. Homeowner involvement in your project is welcomed!
Expertise
Design-Build teams are made up of all the necessary parts of a building project – designers and builders. This means there is no need to hire third-party for your architect, designer, or contractor. This gives you a centralized group of experts to tap into for ideas and inspiration!
Cost-Savings
Since you are not only signing a contract with one firm for all parts of your design-build project, you also have one singular outlet to voice your project expectations. This severely diminishes or negates altogether the possibility of costly changes to your design, materials, and more once the project is started.
Time-Savings
As your design-build team is truly one team, the time efficiency is increased due to the decrease of back-and-forth communication between designers and builders that is a possibility when working with a non-design-build firm. Your project is more likely to be completed on-time.
How to Get Started with a Design-Build Contractor
If you've made the decision to build a new home, research reputable design-build contractors in your area to schedule a consultation. Discuss your project goals, expectations, budget, and learn more about the contractor and their work experience. If it's the right fit, the process begins!
