Your custom home building experience in Illinois should be comfortable, not stretch you beyond your budget, and leave you with a custom home that meets your goals and needs. Understanding where to start when embarking on the journey to find the best home builder option can be a bit daunting. To get you rolling on your path we wanted to break down the two methods you can choose from: design-bid-build and design-build. Many looking to build a custom home aren’t quite sure what the differences are. Read further to learn the differences and which might be the best fit for you.
Design Build – it’s a buzzword in the custom home building world, but what does it really mean, and how does it compare to the more traditional design-bid-build approach? If you’re considering building a custom home in Chicagoland, understanding the difference between these two methods could significantly affect your experience and the success of your project. In this blog post, we’ll break down both options and help you determine which approach might be best for your dream home.
What is Design-Build?
The Design-Build approach is a unified process where the design and construction are handled by the same firm. Instead of hiring a separate architect and contractor, a design-build firm like SG Home Builders takes on both roles. This method streamlines the process, creating a seamless experience for homeowners from concept to completion.
The beauty of design-build lies in the collaborative process where the designer and builder work hand-in-hand from the very start. This ensures that both the design vision and construction feasibility align perfectly, reducing surprises and creating a smoother path forward.
Curious about what the design-build process looks like? Check out details on our New Custom Homes: Design-Build Process Page.
What is Design-Bid-Build?
On the other hand, Design-Bid-Build is the traditional approach to building a custom home. This method involves hiring an architect to design the home first, then putting the project out for bid to various contractors. The lowest bidder typically wins the job, and construction begins after that.
This approach can seem like a natural way to build, and for many, it’s the standard. However, it’s not without its challenges.
Why People Choose Design-Bid-Build
Many people still believe that starting with an architect and then bidding the job out to contractors is the best way to go. It’s often assumed that architects are best equipped to handle the design and know how to estimate construction pricing accurately. Additionally, many clients believe that selecting the lowest bid will save money.
While these may be reasonable assumptions, they don’t always hold up when it comes to execution. The truth is that the design-bid-build approach can lead to misalignments between the design and construction costs, often causing budget overruns or construction delays.
Advantages of Design-Build
1. Streamlined and Aligned Process
With design-build, the project is handled by a single team from start to finish. This integrated approach eliminates the need for you to juggle different parties and helps ensure that everyone is on the same page. There’s no handoff between designers and contractors, and everyone works together toward a common goal: delivering your dream home on time and within budget.
2. Better Communication
Because both the design and build teams are working together from day one, communication is more effective. Problems are identified and solved early in the process, which helps keep the project on track. Any changes made to the design can be immediately communicated to the construction team, which reduces the chances of costly reworks.
3. Better Budget Control
With design-build, your budget is managed from the beginning, with realistic construction costs factored into the design process. This prevents those “unexpected” price hikes and ensures that the project stays within your financial parameters. Plus, when you’re working with a single team, there’s a greater level of accountability, and cost overruns are less likely.
4. Single Point of Accountability
One of the biggest advantages of design-build is that there is only one company responsible for everything. If there’s an issue with the design or construction, you don’t need to deal with finger-pointing between the architect and the contractor. Everyone involved is working under one roof, meaning one team takes full responsibility for delivering your custom home.
Want to know how long it could take to build a custom home? Check out this blog on How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home?.
Conclusion: Why Design-Build Makes Sense for Your Custom Home
While the traditional design-bid-build approach may have been the norm for many years, it’s becoming clear that the design-build method offers significant advantages. From streamlined processes to better budget control and clear accountability, design-build is increasingly becoming the method of choice for those looking to build a custom home.
So, why should you care about this? The reality is that the approach you choose can impact the quality of your project, how long it takes to complete, and how much it ends up costing. Making the right decision on who to build your custom home with is critical to setting the proper foundation for success.
So What?
You’ve read the comparison, but why does it matter to you? If you want to avoid delays, budget overruns, and constant miscommunication, design-build may be the better path for you. By choosing a single, reliable firm like SG Home Builders, you’re ensuring a more efficient and enjoyable process for building your dream home.
Why Now?
The urgency to choose a method isn’t just about picking a design or contractor—it’s about getting started on your dream project. Waiting to make a decision could delay your plans even more, and with so many custom home projects in the Chicagoland area, the sooner you make a choice, the sooner you can start seeing your vision come to life.
OK, What’s Next?
Feeling ready to dive into your custom home journey? If you’re looking for a streamlined, seamless process that puts your vision first, SG Home Builders is the team to trust. Whether you’re looking to build in Naperville, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, or Glen Ellyn, we’re here to make your dream home a reality.
To learn more about our design-build process and our experience creating high-end custom homes, contact us today for a consultation!
