Thinking of remodeling your home, adding a bath, renovating the kitchen, or adding a nursery? Over the years, our experience has shown that potential clients don’t always understand the difference between hiring a design/build company vs. the old tradition of hiring an architect.
An architect designs and draws a project. They usually aren’t builders or contractors, but possibly work for them. An architect can cost thousands of dollars and in the end, you have nothing more than a detailed design on paper which you may not be able to afford to build. If you hire an architect you’ll also need to hire a contractor separately, who may or may not have a relationship with the architect you are working with.
A design/build company gives you a single point of contact. A contractor who designs your project and builds it. They usually employ a designer and/or an architect. Using a design/build company is a great way to remodel or renovate your kitchen, bathrooms, or home. You’ll be dealing with a team that has relationships with all the necessary players, and they’ll manage the entire team including the design team, the plumber, electrician, painter, carpenter, flooring people, etc. The benefit of a seamless project is invaluable.
Most home remodeling projects don’t need a licensed architect; the basic “bones” of a home already exist, and the features are just being replaced. But if you’re building a new home you may want to get the plans drawn up or looked over by an architect.
No matter whether you choose an architect or a design and build, always ask friends for a referral to a company that has completed projects similar to yours. Ask the company you’re interviewing about their experience and look at other jobs they have underway and projects they’ve completed in the past to get a clear understanding of who they are and how they operate.
Achieving Your Goals
The concept of design/build remodeling fosters the attainment of goals, which must be present in any relationship. These goals include:
- The understanding of remodeling vs. new construction
- Trust between the client and the design/build remodeling team
- Total accountability for all phases of the project
- Clear & consistent communication between client and contractor
- Appropriate designs
- Quality construction
By using JM Construction’s design/build service, we can furnish you with a realistic cost analysis during the design phase. This time enables us, as a team, to form a good working relationship before the construction begins.
With J.M. Construction as part of your design/build team, the transition from design to construction is seamless. You’re rewarded with a beautiful finished project you love and a process that you have been involved in every step of the way.
To hear more about design/build and how it could work to your benefit, request a Project Consultation.