April 26, 2016 Planning, Design
Working with Homeworks for your residential construction project is a smart move that provides you with a real opportunity to experience the Design-Build Advantage. However, because many companies sell themselves as design and build but often fall short of that description, we would like to outline the characteristics of a “true” Design-Build Firm.
First, there should be a licensed architect on staff with the abilities to engineer, modify and stamp construction plans to have them ready to receive a permit. Others may have draftsmen with the capabilities of drawing and printing the plans but will have you go to an outside source for the licensed approval of an architect. Next, there should be a design team to help with the cabinet layout in the kitchen and bathrooms as well as with the selections of materials such as flooring, paint colors, counter-tops and fixtures. Lastly, there should be a project manager assigned to each job to manage the sub-contractors, organize the timeliness of the build and maintain solid communications with the client throughout the project to ensure the quality of the work is held to the highest standards.
Now that we’ve explained what to look for within, here are 5 advantages that you should take out of your experience with a design-build construction firm such as Homeworks Construction.
Single source of accountability
Homeworks prides itself on providing all design and construction services under one roof by acting as the single resource for all clients and their projects. The design-build firm takes on the highest degree of accountability for the project as a whole, with both the plans and the construction coming from one entity, Homeworks Construction. Because of this, greater priority is placed on quality and performance during the build, not just meeting the design and engineering requirements set forth by an outside Architect. In the classic design-bid-build method, the owner is responsible for selecting and architect/designer, finalizing the design, sending the plans out for bids, selecting their contractor and acting as the intermediary between all parties. The design-build method fosters teamwork and lends itself to cooperation.
Budget Focused
During Homeworks’ Free Consultation and Proposal Estimate stage our goal is to ensure that the scope of the work to be done and the price we provide meet your ultimate vision for the project as a whole. We have the ability to complete construction drawings, provide materials & finishes, and manage the building of the project and therefore our proposal price is one that is all inclusive. Because of this method of providing estimates, it is common to have a few different proposals before signing an agreement and putting down a deposit. Our teams’ main goals are design and what is known as value engineering, a methodology that seeks to maximize function and minimize cost. The owner, architect and builder work together to create the best-valued solutions for a project without sacrificing quality or compromising the vision of the owner. Client approval is needed every step of the way to ensure that the project stays within budget throughout its entirety without any surprise change orders or up charges.
Quick and Easy Communication
Specific design and construction details are being developed throughout the entire process and the focus should stay on the “Value” for the owner. The benefits of working with a licensed architect, design professionals and a construction expert all under one roof ensures that any potential problems of the project are being discussed and communicated through all areas. With all parties working cohesively from early stages through the finishing touches, decisions related to design, construction and budget can be made quickly and resolved early on.
Faster Completion Time
First, like we mentioned before, in the classic design-bid-build process the client is the intermediary between the architect, the designer and the builder and this takes time and extreme management. Having everything under one roof leaves you with only one phone call to make for issues concerning your project. Bidding periods and redesign time is cut down considerably and the overall time it takes to design and build the project is substantially reduced because design and construction activities overlap. The contractor can proceed with procurement of critical materials and scheduling of labor and subcontractors for the greatest possible effectiveness.
Quality Control
The design build method helps to remove ambiguity that may arise in material and construction specifications. Since the designer, architect and builder are from the same firm, the focus remains on protecting the clients interest rather than protecting each one’s individual interests. The lines of communication are simplified and the chances for misunderstandings are reduced. Additionally, quality is maintained by the discovery of most problems before starting and the implementation of real solutions.