Why Design-Build is So Good
We’re often asked about the advantages of design-build over the conventional system of Architect(Designer) and Builder. It’s a great question and with over a decade of design-build experience under our belts, we feel like it’s a good time to call out reasons why the design-build system is so good.
Architects create beautiful designs. Design is fun. “We can do this! We can do that!”, but "Where’s the discussion on budget?". SunnyHouse is Design-build company, who creates immaculate designs and you can control costs and manage the construction budget during the design phase of a project. . Homeowners are typically shocked by the true cost of an architect’s drawings. Many homeowners who start with outside drawings employ us to redo the drawings for their projects.
Design-Build is an agreement between the owner and a Design Build firm to perform both design and construction under a single source of accountability. It allows the firm and homeowner to develop a cohesive project plan from the very beginning. Ideas are shared freely and evaluated in relation to the owner’s budget and timeline. Rather than the budget being derived from the project’s design, the design is derived as a result of the owner’s budget. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for us to hear from people that “their remodel cost twice as much as the architect said it would” –such a scenario is entirely unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build focuses on results, not excuses.
What is the financial advantage of Design-Build?
Money is a critical factor when it comes to most remodels. You want to make sure your dollar is going as far as it can, while still resulting in a high quality finished product. A design build firm can help you determine a clear, reasonable budget at the outset. Since we’re familiar not only with construction costs, but also design and finish pricing, we can recommend accurate figures for all aspects of your remodel. And we can better work with you to compile and stick to a budget that makes sense for you and your project.
Hiring the architect and builder as one unified Design-Build team is simply less expensive and more expedient. A Design-Build Institute of America study from 2018 revealed how much time and money Design-Build saves when compared other delivery methods. It’s clear that Design-Build projects are delivered faster, more cost-efficiently and with fewer change orders that lead to unforeseen costs and schedule delays. In other words, Design-Build helps jobs get done on-time and on-budget.
The Advantages of the Design-Build Method
1. Single Point of Contact
Sunny House's design build approach provides a single turn-key source for your entire project. In the classic design-bid-build method the owner must: select an architect / designer, finalize the design, bid the project, select a contractor, and then act as an intermediary. When you work with a design/build team, everyone already knows how to work well with one another and is equipped to take on projects with high efficiency and quality.
2. Complete Cost Control
A coordinated design-build means that you are not paying additional fees for an architect, designer and general contractor. The Sunny House team will work to select the most cost-effective materials and methods before design of your project is finalized. This allows us to provide more accurate costs and a better schedule for your project.
3. Quality
The singularized responsibility inherent in design-build serves as a motivation for quality and proper project performance. The owner’s requirements and expectations are documented in performance terms and it is design-build entity’s responsibility to produce results accordingly. The design-builder warrants to the owner that it will produce design documents that are complete and free from error. During the construction process this attention to quality does not end, as the designer becomes the master builder, and manages the construction of the project to completion.
4. Time Savings
Because design and construction are overlapped, and because bidding periods and redesign are eliminated, total design and construction time can be significantly reduced. With design-build, material and equipment procurement and construction work can begin before the construction documents are fully completed. In design-build firms, everyone is on the same page, and the design is completed with any potential construction issues in mind. The drawings get passed directly to the construction team to have the process streamlined with clear communication.
5. Design Options
We specialize in custom designs, so you know your Kitchen or Deck are unique from all others. We are able to design your kitchen or bathroom using the latest 3-d cad design technology. Our Unique 3D Visualization will help you to visualize you new Projects (Deck, Addition, Kitchen and etc.) so you know exactly how it will appear before physical construction begins. And we ensure new design fit within your budget. We are proud to be the only design-build company in the Fairfield County Area to offer this unsurpassed value to our clients. It is our goal that every restoration project becomes a very positive experience.
4. No Re-Design Fees
In most cases, when you want to make changes to the initial design you will be hit by hefty re-design fees. That won't happen with us.
6. Better Communication
A key benefit is that can reduce miscommunication before and during your project. Remodels are complex. They include a lot of moving pieces and components, from schedules and timelines to materials and finishes. If any one component goes awry, it can jeopardize the entire project.
With a design build company, you’re working with a single entity, so both the crews and the clients stay informed and up-to-date about project progress. That means you have the confidence to know that what was discussed, designed, and priced out is what’s going to be built.
When you’re working with a separate architect, designer, and builder, you may need to agree to contracts with each vendor, and those may not align with each other. An initial contract with a builder, for example, may need to be updated if changes are made to the design. Plus, your chances for miscommunication can go up, as each vendor is likely using their own systems to create and manage their part of the project.
Example of Our 3D Visualization (Remember! no extra cost for design and redesign)
Sunny House specialize in design-build home remodeling from start to flawless finish. Our team provides you with innovative design, exclusive materials, and high quality in-house construction. Our projects include kitchens, bathrooms, decks, addition projects, whole-house remodels, new construction, and more.
Our designers and construction crews work under one roof as a cohesive team, offering clients peace of mind. We assume responsibility for the project from initial design concepts right through construction, including budgeting, ordering products, obtaining permits, and scheduling the entire project. We're a one-stop shop for remodeling