You know you want to remodel your home. Where do you begin? The first and most important decision you will make is who to partner with on your home remodeling project. You may have to choose between a design build firm and a general contractor. Knowing the difference between the two will help you make the right decision for your home.
What is a design build firm?
A design build firm, like ON Design & Remodeling, partners with you from start to finish for the full scope of your project. Like ON Design & Remodeling, a design build firm has all of the design and build capabilities under one roof. The benefit to the homeowner is that you don’t have to hire a designer, an architect, and a builder because everything can be managed by one company, one point of contact.
What is a General Contractor?
A general contractor focuses primarily on the construction part of the project. They will use the site plans and renderings you provide to complete the construction of your project. The general contractor will also hire and oversee subcontractors that perform each individual aspect of the work.
Three Advantages of a Design Build Firm
- Clear, upfront budget. With a designer involved from the start, a design-build firm, like ON Design & Remodeling, can provide you with a very accurate scope of work. While changes are always a possibility, you have less of a chance of surprise costs when you think through all aspects of the renovation and design with an experienced team member from day one. The design team is also a part of your journey throughout the project and can pop in at any time to make sure the project is on track with your vision. Additionally, they have worked with the build team many times before and can anticipate many costs that might arise during your renovation.
- Design is intricately weaved into all aspects of the project. Instead of simply having an independent architect render a drawing and then step away from the renovation, your design team at a design build firm is with you every step of the way. They have an incentive to do their job well and communicate with the build team throughout the remodel.
- One project manager oversees the whole project so you don’t have to be as hands-on. Dealing with contractors and subcontractors can be extremely time consuming, particularly if you don’t have experience in the industry. Having one point of contact can be such a blessing for many homeowners. If you’re looking for a home renovation company that is experienced in all aspects of a remodel and can take some of the planning burden off your shoulders, then a design build firm is right for you.