Design-Build vs. Traditional Remodeling: Which is Best for Your Tacoma Home?
You’ve been considering a remodel of your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or whole house for a while–and you’re finally ready to pull the trigger. But now you’re faced with a choice: do you go with a design-build remodeling company or a traditional one? Which type is better for your home? We’re here to help you figure out the answer.
A Word on Design
Before we discuss these two popular methods of project delivery, let’s talk about why design–in any remodeling project–is important. Every project, even a small one, needs a great plan in order to make sure you, as the homeowner, and your contractor are on the same page. You both need to know what the goal of the project is and what the final result should be.
In large projects, design becomes even more important. When there are multiple systems involved in a remodel (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc), and structural changes are being made, a great design keeps everything on track. Design, in a home renovation, is the plan for the structural, mechanical, and cosmetic parts of the project. It’s the blueprint to get you from your current home to the end goal: the home of your dreams.
What is Traditional Remodeling?
When you’re using the traditional remodeling method, you hire someone to design your project. That could be
an independent designer
an independent architect
your contractor (usually only if it’s a smaller project)
Then you’ll collect bids from contractors, giving them that design to work from. The bids will generally have allowances for parts of the remodel. For example, instead of charging you the exact amount for the backsplash you chose, they will give a “backsplash allowance.” When you decide on your backsplash, you may end up paying more than the bid allowed for.
Potential Issues
Because the contractor you hire is working with someone else’s plans, problems that come up or unexpected issues might be harder to solve. And because general allowances are given to you in your estimate, not all expenses are included, meaning you might pay more than you planned.
Since your designer and contractor aren’t working together, you will need to handle communicating with multiple teams. This can get tricky and slow your project down.
What is Design-Build Remodeling?
Design-build remodeling is “the fastest growing and most commonly used method of project delivery in the United States,” according to the Design-Build Institute of America. And there are good reasons for that. Design-build remodeling leads to higher customer satisfaction and better projects.
When you’re working with a design-build company, you, as the homeowner, hire one trusted company to handle the entire remodel from design to demo to construction to clean-up. Because every part of the work is handled in-house, you only need to deal with one point of contact, making your life much easier.
Your estimate will be much more accurate because the design team will help you make specific selections, and those will be reflected in the final costs. You’ll know what to expect. You will see your project come to life before any work starts, through the 3D models and floor plans that you and your design team will create together.
And once construction starts, you will notice that there’s a collaborative approach to your project as everyone involved is part of the same team. Problems that come up can be creatively solved with input from the designers and contractors alike.
Potential Issues
Your estimate–because it will be more detailed and complete–will likely come back higher with a design-build company than a traditional remodel. But we believe it’s a more accurate estimate and that it’s better to know the final cost up front than to have unexpected changes and expenses.
Benefits of the Design-Build Method
We firmly believe that the design-build method of remodeling is the best option for most homeowners. Here are some reasons why:
Teamwork
When everything is handled in-house, from design to construction, everyone is on the same page. If an issue arises, your team is primed to collaborate, to think outside the box and solve problems creatively. Because the contractor has direct access to the designer, and vice versa, they can ask and answer questions of each other and discuss ideas with ease.
Sometimes the team will even come up with great ideas you hadn’t thought of–putting built-ins in your mudroom or enlarging a window in the kitchen. The integrated approach of the design-build team makes teamwork and collaboration possible, and your project benefits.
Project Management
Every remodeling project needs a project manager–a point person who keeps everything on track. Construction projects have a lot of moving parts, from various subcontractors and their timelines, to material orders, to permits, to design. A project manager acts as the hub, ensuring that everything is properly scheduled, everyone has what they need, and nothing is overlooked. In a design-build company, this includes every part of the remodel. The process is streamlined and organized, and you know who to contact if you have issues.
Communication
Speaking of knowing who to contact, the design-build process allows for the best possible communication between you and the team. You will receive clear and regular updates on how the work is progressing and what to expect through a project website that is updated in real time. And since there’s one point of contact, you always know who to call with questions or concerns.
And the members of the team enjoy the best possible communication with each other, which makes the process move more smoothly and quickly for everyone.
More Accurate Estimates
At the heart of the design-build process is design. The time you spend with the designer before the hammers start swinging will make the difference in your project–and in your estimate. Together, you will choose specific finishes (flooring, paint, faucets, lighting, and more). Instead of your estimate showing a line item for “appliance allowance,” for example, which may or may not be the actual cost of the appliance you want, it will show an accurate price for the exact appliance you and your designer chose.
This fixed-price contract will be much more accurate because so many of the choices are made beforehand. This means you know how to budget and how to plan.
Less Stress and a Smoother Process
Remodeling a home is stressful, no matter how you slice it. But remodeling with a design-build company will give you the best experience possible. You will know what to expect and when. You’ll know if there are issues that arise and what’s being done to handle them. Knowing what’s going on with your home remodel will automatically reduce your stress levels.
You can expect the construction process itself to be as smooth as possible. The in-house collaboration means materials are ordered ahead of time and are ready and waiting when they’re needed. Subcontractors are scheduled in the right order and at the right time. Potential problems are caught early and solved ahead of time. Your team is ready to go, and they know what they’re doing. You can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
Massey Remodel + Design
At Massey Remodel + Design, we take pride in our streamlined design-build process. We spend time during the preconstruction period learning about you and your wants and needs. Then we collaborate with you to design the perfect home for you and your loved ones. You can expect a commitment to craftsmanship and excellence–a home you and your loved ones will be proud of for years to come.
We serve a wide range of communities around the South King and Pierce County areas, and we’d be honored to serve you. Contact us today and let’s talk about your dreams. You’ll see that the design-build model is a great choice for your Tacoma, Washington home.