What is Design Build?

"Return to the time-honored approach of the Master Builder, where a single source has absolute accountability for both design and construction. When the citizens of classical Greece envisioned their great temples, public buildings and civil works, master builders were engaged to both design and construct these monumental structures. Master builders accepted full responsibility for integrating conceptual design with functional performance."
                                                                    - The Design Build Institute of America

What does this mean to me?

There are numerous roads a customer might take from that first dream of remodeling to living in the final product. The most common looks something like this:

* Choose a design professional: Architect, Kitchen or Interior Designer
* Begin by exploring ideas
* Designer produces drawings
* Meet to discuss and revise drawings
* Start interviewing Building/Remodeling Professionals
* Plans complete/submit to selected Building/Remodeling Contractor
* Wait for bids
* Award contract to selected Contractor
* Wait for start date

You’ll likely experience a few variations – maybe your Design Professional will supervise the execution of the project or walk your plans through the permitting process; maybe you’ll have a second revision phase once the bids come back and they’re far beyond your budget. In any case, this road winds a bit, but will get you safely (and slowly) to your destination.

Design/Build is a bit more like a freeway and looks something like this:

* Interview Building/Remodeling Professionals
* Select your contractor
* Begin design and bidding process
* Revisions and permits
* Start date

This streamlined process puts the selection of your Building/Remodeling Professional at the top of the to-do list. Including your Contractor from the start of design allows him/her to contribute his expertise to the entire project, often at the most crucial budgetary time – the beginning.