An Alternative to Design-Bid-Build

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Enjoy this “Guest” Blog Post by Gerety Building & Restoration!

When it comes to building, restoring, or remodeling a home, the efficiency of the process is just as essential as the quality. As a homeowner, you have a very specific vision, budget, and timeline in mind, and you deserve a building professional who can move your project along as promised.

Unfortunately, the typical building process, known as the design-bid-build process, divides your home improvement efforts into three distinct steps that can sometimes become a bit disjointed.

During the first phase, you work with an architect/design expert, creating plans for the spaces you need changed or improved. During the second phase, contractors have the opportunity to bid on the design and your professional is selected. In the final phase, construction will begin.

There are a few potential issues with this system:

  • More steps mean more time until completion
  • Construction professionals have a different set of eyes, and often point out structural considerations that may impact the design’s feasibility
  • The cost of construction isn’t calculated during the design process
  • There can be poor communication between your designer and your builder

This begs the question: do you have a different, better option?

START BY FINDING BOTH YOUR BUILDER AND ARCHITECT

Rather than work with your designer or builder exclusively as a first step, find both and make sure they will work together.

Here at Gerety Building and Restoration, for example, our clients often are already collaborating with a professional. We welcome that! Your architect provides the expert design insight and helps you develop the plans, and we can work closely alongside, offering input from a construction perspective.

The key is to proactively pursue both professionals, or ask either your builder or your architect if there is a local firm that they prefer to work with and might recommend. Either way, the goal is to begin building a team that will communicate freely, presenting feasible ideas, designs, and solutions based on their combined expertise.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING AS A COMPLETE TEAM?

The benefits of this more unified approach are numerous:

  • Streamlined communication
  • You work with the same team from initial concept to final walk-through
  • Swifter, more efficient process overall
  • Lower cost
  • Better quality work – everyone is accountable for their role

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BUILDER WORK WITH YOUR ARCHITECT?

At Gerety Building and Restoration, we have a long history of collaboration with other professionals. We appreciate the skill they bring to the table, and enjoy actively engaging in a conversation that draws our clients’ goals that much closer to becoming a reality.

Here’s a snapshot of what this process can look like:

  • Developing the Plan: This is what you could call the “what if we…” stage. You, your architect/designer, and builder come together to discuss all of your goals, actively listening to what you need from the project.
  • Finalizing the Plan: The specific details and design are drawn up, materials are planned, and the construction schedule is put together.
  • Construction: The really fun part! You can watch your changes be made, whether you’re restoring, building, remodeling, or adding to your home.
  • Wrapping Up: The finishing touches are in place, we have a final walk-through to make sure everything is exactly as it should be, and the work is done.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO COLLABORATION AND A SHARED GOAL

If we had to choose two key attributes that your contractor and architect should both possess, they would be an ability to listen well and a willingness to collaborate.

Your goals will always drive the conversation, and the details are worked out to fit within the framework of your vision.

 

Author Bio

Gerety Building & Restoration is a full-service general contractor. For over 35 years, Keith Gerety and team has provided clients with a hands-on approach while maintaining a personal commitment to customer satisfaction and delivering the best quality construction in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.