Homeowners eager to embark on a rewarding home remodeling journey may be ready to dive right in. However, before hiring a team, it's essential to understand the key differences between the two most common renovation approaches: Design Build and traditional remodeling, often referred to as design-bid-build.
As you research your options, these two methods will likely stand out as primary pathways to achieving your ideal home renovation. We're here to break down how each process works, highlight their respective advantages and challenges, and explain why Design Build has become the preferred choice for many homeowners today.
A Look at the Traditional Remodeling Process or Design-Bid-Build
One of the most common and traditional remodeling methods is design-bid-build. In simple terms, this approach requires working with at least two separate companies: one for the design phase and another for the construction and implementation.
With this project delivery method, you’ll review bids from multiple contractors and select one for each stage of the process. This gives you direct control over who designs your remodel and, separately, who builds it.
Costs can vary, often increasing if multiple design revisions are needed. In some cases, you may secure a lower overall price by focusing on competitive bids and selecting the lowest offer. However, this approach prioritizes upfront cost savings over ensuring a high-quality execution of the design.
A Look at the Design Build Remodeling Process
The Design Build process eliminates the need to source multiple contractors for different project phases, instead keeping both design and construction under one company’s umbrella. In fact, some of the most iconic structures—like the Parthenon and the Pentagon—were built using a Design Build approach.
This method has grown in popularity for several reasons, starting with its streamlined structure. With fewer steps, teams, and contracts to manage, Design Build fosters communication and provides homeowners with greater transparency, insight, and control over the project’s execution. Since one cohesive team handles both design and construction, there’s no risk of misalignment between designers and builders, avoiding conflicts that can arise in traditional design-bid-build projects.
While the disadvantages of this approach are relatively minimal, there are a couple of factors to consider. Without multiple bids or separate contracts, Design Build doesn’t emphasize cost-cutting in the same way as design-bid-build. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more expensive. The key is choosing a firm you trust, as they will be solely responsible for every aspect of your project.
Comparing Traditional vs. Design Build Remodels
The most obvious difference between design-bid-build and Design Build is the project structure. Design-bid-build relies on a bidding model and multiple contractors who may not have prior relationships with your design team, while Design Build keeps the entire project in-house from start to finish. However, beyond this key distinction, there are also more nuanced differences when you break down each process.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
The table below gives you a quick summary of the perks and downsides of both design build and design-bid-build processes when it comes to specific parts of your remodel.
| Comparison | Design Build | Traditional (Design-Bid-Build) |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | With a unified team, everyone remains informed throughout the entire process—aware of setbacks, costs, designs, and materials, regardless of their specialty. This transparency enhances efficiency and minimizes obstacles. Additionally, projects benefit from greater flexibility since a single team manages the entire operation, eliminating the need to coordinate between multiple groups. |
Traditional models can be efficient when all parties collaborate effectively and adhere to the same timeline. As the homeowner, you play a crucial role in maintaining efficiency, acting as the primary liaison between contractors. While this can be rewarding if you thrive on responsibility and decision-making, it can also be overwhelming and stressful. |
| Cost | Design Build can be cost-effective because the design and construction teams work together to ensure the vision is both practical and achievable, reducing costly revisions and delays. | Design Build can be cost-effective and more competitive, as collaboration between design and construction helps streamline the process. However, it can also carry risks, such as unexpected change orders that may impact the budget and timeline. |
| Communication | Communication tends to be more seamless with Design Build, as a single team oversees both design and construction. While there may be specialized sub-teams involved, the entire project remains under the responsibility of one company, ensuring greater cohesion and efficiency. | Communication can be more challenging with design-bid-build, as separate contractors handle different phases of the project. This can lead to disagreements, misalignment, and even situations where parties shift responsibility or costs onto one another. |
| Timeline | As a unified team, Design Build remodelers work seamlessly within a single timeline. While delays can still occur, everyone remains aligned throughout the project, ensuring smoother coordination and accountability from start to finish. | With design-bid-build, you and your selected contractors must coordinate timelines, and delays can be more disruptive compared to the streamlined approach of Design Build. |
| Risks | With Design Build, homeowners carry significantly less risk. The firm handles all responsibilities, including budget allocation and problem-solving if issues arise. While you'll stay informed, you won’t have to manage multiple contractors or navigate complex decisions on your own. | With design-bid-build, homeowners take on more risk due to the need to manage separate contracts. You'll be responsible for overseeing budgets, timelines, and any issues that arise throughout the project. However, this also provides a bit more control over contractor selection and decision-making at each stage. |
What to Consider When Hiring a Team
Choosing the right firm for your home project is a decision that shouldn’t be rushed, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, there are a few key factors to consider.
Start by reviewing each firm’s portfolio. Look for alignment with your desired design style and a proven ability to complete projects of a similar scale and complexity. For example, HDR Remodeling specializes in custom designs for historic homes throughout the Bay Area, preserving each home’s unique character.
Equally important is understanding how the team communicates and what level of involvement they expect from you. Are they transparent about timelines, contracts, costs, and project plans? Do you feel comfortable engaging with them and asking questions? It’s also helpful to learn about the systems they use and their overall process to ensure a smooth and collaborative experience.
FAQs
If you have any lingering questions, these answers should provide clarity before you begin working with a professional team.
What is the difference between Design Build and design-bid-build?
Design Build is a remodeling process where both design and construction are managed by a single firm, offering a more streamlined approach. In contrast, design-bid-build involves two separate contracts, typically with different companies—one responsible for design and the other for construction.
Does Design Build or design-bid-build take longer?
The timeline for a project depends on its scope and requirements. In general, when comparing the same project through both Design Build and design-bid-build approaches, Design Build typically has a shorter timeframe. This is because the entire project is planned under a single timeline and collaborative contract, whereas design-bid-build involves managing multiple contractors’ availability and timelines, which can introduce delays.
Does Design Build or design-bid-build cost more?
Design Build contracts are often less expensive because a single team is responsible for the entire project, streamlining costs and minimizing unexpected price increases. In contrast, with traditional design-bid-build, multiple teams are involved, which can lead to fluctuating costs and unanticipated rises in the overall price. While you might secure a lower-cost design-bid-build project by obtaining multiple competitive bids, this is not always guaranteed.
If you’re looking to make your design dreams materialize this year, contact our team to get more information on how we can help bring your vision to life.