5 Reasons to Choose a Design + Build Strategy for Your New Home
Many home builders follow a similar process when starting their projects.
They design their dream home first, then source bids, and then – eventually – the project starts.
The problem we have with this process is that it can end up costing more, taking longer because it’s not overly streamlined, plus it generally has too many cooks in the kitchen.
We believe the better strategy is to use a design/build process instead.
What we mean is a builder who also has expertise, as well as professionals on their team, in design.
You see, there a number of advantages to a design/build strategies, with cost just one of them.
Let’s take a look at five of them shall we?
1. Single source of accountability
Building projects have a number of moving parts so if you can reduce the volume of touch points along the way that’s always going to be a good thing.
By utilising a design/build approach it means that you have a single source for your whole project.
The alternative – which is the classic design-bid-build method – involves a number of steps that can increase timeframes as well as your general stress levels.
The design/build method fosters teamwork and lends itself to cooperation.
That’s because the relationship built during the design phase helps to ensure that the stage is set for a successful construction project.
2. Budget management
Far too many home builders get their budgets wrong, because they don’t find out the cost of the build until the bids have come in.
However, discussing budgets during the design phase helps to keep your project within a realistic budget.
Plus, in a design/build scenario, communicating the cost implications of design decisions ensures you also play a key role in arriving at the final project price.
Once the scope of work has been finalised, the project costs are clearly defined and controlled by the design/build firm.
3. Enhanced communication
A successful building project relies on consistent communication.
Again, if you can reduce the different avenues that that communication is coming from, it lessens the chances of something being missed such as cost overruns.
Specific design and construction details are being developed throughout the entire process so the focus stays on the “value” to you as the owner.
The communication benefits of working with a design professional and a construction expert at the same time ensures that potential problems are discovered before the project even starts.
4. Smoother project completion
There is a common perception that building projects always go over time.
Now that can happen, especially if there is a run of inclement weather, but design/build projects are generally smoother and more streamlined.
Why is that?
Well, because your team are design/build experts, scheduling can happen sooner rather than later, plus potential construction problems are often discovered earlier, too, which can minimise delays as well as provide an accurate timeline.
5. Quality Control
The design/build method helps to remove any ambiguity that may arise in such things as material and construction specifications.
And that’s because the designer, engineer and builder are all from the same firm, which means that their focus remains on your project collectively.
Building projects don’t have to be stressful with a continual barrage of communication coming from a number of different companies – often about different things at different times.
That’s why it makes sense to work with design/build professionals because you’ll always know who is managing your project and what phase they are up to.
Plus, if you ever need to talk to anyone, they are literally just one single phone call away.
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