Design & Build or a Separate Contractor: Which Is Right for Your Home?
The two most common routes to building or renovating a home, with their strengths, challenges and tips for choosing.
When planning a renovation or a new home, there are two common routes: hiring an architect and a contractor separately, or working with one design & build company that handles both. Both are valid, and each has its strengths.
The separate route: different architect and contractor
Here you engage an architect or designer to produce the design and working drawings, then choose a contractor to build it.
- Strength: you can compare several contractors' quotes against the same drawings.
- Challenge: when problems arise on site, designer and contractor may point at each other, and you often end up as the mediator.
Design & build: one team from start to finish
Here a single company is responsible for both design and construction.
- Strength: one line of communication, a design developed with cost and build method in mind from the start, and faster decisions on site.
- Challenge: you need a company that is transparent about its budget and material specifications, because comparing prices is less direct than with the separate route.
Which suits you?
The separate route suits you if you have time to manage two parties and want free choice of contractor. Design & build suits you if you want a streamlined process, one fully accountable party and simple coordination, especially if you have a busy working life.
Tips for choosing a design & build company
- Ask for sample budgets and working drawings from previous projects.
- Make sure material specifications are written clearly in the contract.
- Ask about the payment schedule and how progress is reported.
- Review the portfolio and, if possible, speak with past clients.