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What
is Design/Build and Is It Right For Me?
When a homeowner
is interested in remodeling, renovating or adding on to their home,
there are usually two different avenues to choose from in order to find
a design
that works and a contractor that can build the job to specifications
and budget.
Traditional
Approach
The first
avenue is the traditional way, which is to contact several
contractors to come over to give an “estimate” based on verbal
explanations of what is trying to get accomplished.
One problem with
this approach is that each contractor may interpret the homeowners’
wants and needs in a different way.
Another problem is a lot of
contractors do not look at the details such as how the new addition
will blend with the existing style of the home and how the roofline
will tie in or how the floor levels will meet exactly.
And of course, the biggest
problem is, what is the homeowner actually getting for the price the
contractor is quoting?
How many windows and what
style?
What type
of interior
floors?
What type
of paint (if
any)? What are
the actual room sizes
of the room addition?
Where are
the closets and
storage areas?
What is the
layout of the new
kitchen cabinets?
The list
can go on and on...
Architect-Design-Contract Approach
The
second
avenue is to hire an Architect to design the proposed home remodel,
renovation or room addition. This way all contractors will have the same
plans and the price should be the price, right?
Not exactly.
There are
still a lot variables in the finished product unless the homeowner pays
the additional fees for interior design.
Also, the homeowner will
typically have a budget for their investment and Architects are not
builders and typically do not know what it costs to build, the cost of
building materials, permits, etc. Thus, a lot of times the actual
estimates from contractors are a lot higher than what was expected and
the project will have to be redesigned after the first design was
already paid for!
The Tamer Construction
Design-Build Approach
Tamer
Construction combines the best of both avenues. We are a Design/Build
company,
which means we work with our clients from the very start by
trying to achieve their goals and needs while trying to stay within
their target budget during the design stage.
We have our own in-house
designers using 3-D computer generated plans so our clients can not
only see a 2-dimensional view on paper, but a realistic 3-D view of
what their project will look like from any angle!
We also have Drafting
professionals and Architects we work closely with and an Accredited
Interior Designer to help our clients with space planning and
selections.
If and when
we enter into a Design/Build
agreement, there is an initial investment
for the time it takes us to do all of the design work. This design fee
will be paid one way or another whether an Architect is hired, or a
contractor is awarded the job because drawings are always needed to
obtain plans from city governments.
What our clients can enjoy is
the
fact that once the design is completed a formal proposal will be
written. At this point, if we enter into a full build contract, the
design fee will deducted from the price of the proposal!
Our clients will also enjoy the
ability to have input into the design every step of the way. Our
computer software allows our clients to use a web based application to
view their plans in progress, make notes and arrows, and view in 3-D in
the convenience of their own home!
Please contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our
Project and Design Consultants!
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