Why Design Build?

Most people are unsure of what a design/build firm does, but the truth is, this is an advantageous way to go about any building or remodeling project because it keeps both services — the design and the construction — under one roof. Choosing a design/build firm is a wise choice because the company can devote the time and resources to address client concerns and questions in regards to any energy efficient project, ensuring they’re always in the loop in terms of important decisions. It’s important to educate contractors and clients on the design/build process so that this type of approach gains more momentum. There are several benefits to working with an experienced design/build firm.

Faced with a laundry list of items, would you prefer to go to one store to buy everything on your list or head to several different ones? Most people would prefer a one-stop-shop approach to getting what they need. It saves time, money, and above all, hassle. The same is true with a design build firm. Why go to several different sources and contractors when you can let one firm handle everything? The convenience and comfort of single source responsibility is clear. The client deals with one company that’s responsible for all phases of the project, from beginning to end, on time and within the stated budget. Because a team approach ensures a certain level of cooperation, there is no finger pointing or blame game when something doesn’t go according to plan. Translation: higher efficiency, no conflict, and a project that’s completed within the timeline with the money available. Throughout the duration of the project, all parties get to know one another, which makes for a more positive overall experience and progressive back-and-forth consultation.

The budget is a big part of any design/build project, and one that’s not taken lightly. This forms the backbone of the project, and the design/build firm works hard to stay within the parameters of those guidelines. The budget can quickly get out of control, though, when you have too many people from too many companies involved. Better planning through a single source can result in a trusting relationship between design/build firm and client. The owner, then, can keep a certain amount of control over the process as it progresses step by step. Sometimes, of course, it’s necessary to spend more to achieve what the client wants. But in keeping with this trustworthy relationship, the firm should always run any budgetary changes by the client first. When a design/build firm promises budget control, this takes a certain level of expertise in knowing what goes into the overall cost. As such, many fees, such as engineering or surveying fees, are generally known ahead of time and can be factored into the budget with no surprises.

Quality control is a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to a successful project end to end. This is made easier when there is only one point of contact working in tandem to meet client requests. Rather than protect their individual stakes in the project, all participants (contractors, designers, architects and engineers) can focus on what’s really important: the quality of the finished product. With one point of contact, you also get fewer chances for mistakes, misunderstandings and miscommunications. This presents a more significant value for the client because it cuts down on time and stress. Solutions can be implemented quickly when everyone’s on board and ready to go.

At the end of the day, getting a project completed on time is one of the most important considerations. This is made easier in a design/build firm because everyone’s in communication with everyone else, working in conjunction to get the end goal met. When you add in several independent designers and contractors, the chance increases that delays will happen due to miscommunication, mismanagement and the like. With the design/build approach, the time it takes to go through everything from bidding to redesign is reduced. And because an overlap occurs naturally between designing and building, the timeline does not drag on like it would with separate companies. For example, the contractor can order materials and schedule labor while the design phase is finishing up, or the foundation can be poured before the cold of winter hits before the energy efficient windows and doors are ordered. This speeds up the course of the project because the next phase can begin before the earlier phase is even finished, in many cases. This fast tracking is a desirable way to cut down on costs and get the project completed as early as possible.

As you can see, there are many advantages to the design build approach over a piecemeal approach. Trusting an energy efficient design/build firm like Sageland Design is a critical element to ensuring your project goes off without a hitch.