Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Thinking About Working With A Design-Build Contractor?

When you are remodeling your current home or designing a new home, there are many options when it comes to the design process. Whenever you undertake large projects such as these, there are many engineering issues, building codes and other design factors that need to be taken into consideration. Because of this, you will need to work with an architect of some sort. If the job is fairly simple, a designer can help plan your update. One of the most convenient options is to work with a design-build contractor. A design-build contractor has a team that can take care of both the design and construction of your home or new addition. There are many reasons why this makes sense.

Save Time and Money

For the most part, a design-build contractor is just like any other general contractor. They are qualified and licensed to do all of the various construction and maintenance jobs that are required at your home. A true design-build contractor will work directly with an architect who has gone through extensive training. By working with a design-build contractor, you can save the time of going back and forth between an architect and your general contractor. You can also save money by simplifying the process.

Ensure Quality

One of the greatest reasons to work with a design-build contractor is to guarantee the overall quality of both your design and the work itself. This type of contractor is very different from a general contractor who also has design skills. The architect working hand-in-hand with the contractor that you choose has been extensively trained to design structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing building plans that will fit with exactly what you have in mind.

Simplify The Process

If you choose to work with an architect or designer who is not affiliated with your contractor, you are adding another layer of work to an already cumbersome process. When you work with a design-build company, they will take care of the entire process. This includes all of the communication between parties, from the very first meeting to the last inspection. Furthermore, being responsible for the entire project will reduce any chances of overages, problems and etc. that could be blamed on the other parties. Because the architect and contractor work together on a day-to-day basis, your actual costs are more likely to be in line with the bid.

As with any other project, there are ups and downs to each decision that you make. If you choose an independent architect, for example, you may have an architect who is more in tune to your exact desires, with a little more experience in the actual design process. When you work with a design-build architect, however, you are working with someone who has extensive experience working on and overseeing actual construction projects. These architects have a very close relationship with the construction crew, meaning that change orders are pushed through faster, and adherence to design is highly maintained.

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