The Design/Build firm combines high-quality, professional design services with high-quality, professional construction services. This combination of operating style and service provides clients with a seamless, cost-effective, functional project from one accountable source. The coupling of design and construction is also proven to be an efficient way to minimize costly building issues during production.
What are the Advantages of Design/Build?
Cost-Effective
The most important reason to use a design/build company is that the design/builder has the expertise to design and construct on a realistic, specified budget. Guarding your budget requires diligent estimating, purchasing and assessing of actual job costs. Unless you have an unlimited budget, careful and knowledgeable adherence to budget is crucial. Studies show that almost 70% of traditional contracts end up over budget, compared to design/build which is only around 25-30% over budget.
Practical Construction
When the firm designing your project is a construction company, the design is likely to be more ‘buildable’. The design/builder can quickly determine whether your proposed project is feasible in terms of budget before you invest time and money in the design. A design/build company knows what products work well and are locally available at competitive prices. They also know what construction methods and techniques are best suited for your situation and how that translates into overall cost.
One-Stop Shopping
Design/builders manage every aspect of a project from start to finish. They take your ideas from the outset, return with suggestions and selections and ultimately present you with a completed project that represents those original ideas. The practice of one accountable expert is attractive in that it keeps your project free of interpretive alterations as it moves from the design to the construction phase.
Single-Point Responsibility
Should problems arise (and they will!), sole accountability prevents your project from becoming stalled by finger pointing between individuals. Problems are resolved quickly and often without the client even knowing there was a problem.
Affordable Professional Design
Design/build firms, like Outdoor Dream Creations, have made customized, professional design affordable to a wider population. A design/build firm makes its money off the construction of the project, saving you the $1,000 (or more!) dollars it costs to higher an independent designer. Using a design/build company to produce plans also ensures that the design you love is one that can actually be constructed within your budget. Independent designers sometimes create lavish landscapes that look amazing on paper, but are not practical for installation. Because design/build contractors are focused on installation, their designs are both creative AND practical for production.
Saves Time
With design/build you are likely to save several months in completion of a project over separated design and construction services. Entering into the design phase, the design/builder already knows where your project fits into the schedule. You are not in the position of having to complete the design phase of the project before you begin to interview the builder.
Strong Working Relationship
During the design of your project, your landscaper learns what is important to you, and your comfort level increases through getting to know the company before construction actually begins. During the design phase you establish a way of working with your design/build landscaper that will continue throughout the construction phase. You personally know your designer, the company’s procedures and its attitude toward customer service.
Design/build is an operating style that fits today’s need for convenience and efficiency. One-stop shopping, accountability, functional and cost-efficient design are highly valued by today’s homeowners. Outdoor Dream Creations is the design/build team that can provide expert design and quality construction of your outdoor living space.
