When a renovation is being contemplated, many will thing “We need a builder” or “Designer”
Your most important decision as it relates to cost, time and overall value should be “How” and not what will it look like. “HOW”, will we program, design, procure, build and manage this project? Before a builder or architect is contacted and before you pick your tiles or Hampton's style kitchen.
To complete the renovation successfully, the process has to be selected successfully.
The design/build/manage method offers homeowners many advantages for renovation projects.
Before design/build, homeowners typically used the design/bid process.
If you wanted to renovate your home, you had to find and hire an architect to design your project and then find and hire a builder to quote and construct it.
This can be a time consuming and frustrating process and if things go wrong you can find yourself uncomfortably in the middle between your architect and builder.
The design/bid/build process is broken.
Why?
Because it doesn't actually benefit anyone.
This is still the main and preferred method used for custom build new homes and commercial buildings. But in today’s world, the design/bid/build method is the absolute worst process available for any renovation work. It costs more, takes longer, and statistically creates more complaints, disappointment and litigation.
A huge percentage of plans are never build because the work is often too expensive.
Architects design projects without knowing the real costs involved in renovations. This creates a problem for the architect, the builder, and you the homeowner.
There is however, a better way:
Hire a builder like Renew Renovations that provides design/build/manage services that will handle all and every aspects of your project.
- Simplicity - You only have to find, select and deal with one company who is at the center of the process where they do what they do best, project manage the entire project.
- Accountability – If something goes wrong, you won’t find yourself caught between your architect and builder because you will have a single point of contact.
- Communication – When working with a design/build/manage company, you don’t have to worry about the builder not knowing what you are looking for (because most of your discussions have been with your architect and not the builder).
- Cost – Builders know more about building and renovating costs than architects, a reputable design/build/manage company will work closely with you in regards to design and budget.
In the outdated design/bid/build method, you the client must: Select an architect/designer, finalize the design, quote the project, select a contractor, and then act as an intermediary. The design/build/manage method fosters teamwork and lends itself to cooperation. The relationship built during the design phase helps to ensure that the stage is set for a successful renovation project that will be exactly as promised.
Discussing budget during the design phase (not waiting until the quotes come in) helps to keep the projects within a realistic budget. Communicating the cost implications of design decisions ensures that you and the builder play a key role in arriving at the final project price. Once the scope of work has been finalized, the project costs are clearly defined and controlled by the design/build/manage process.
High quality design and construction is the desire of every client. Design/build/manage projects can be completed in a shorter amount of time without the stress and budget blowouts. Renovations involve managing hundreds of timelines, trades and suppliers that all need to be scheduled, coordinated and project managed.
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