How to choose a design+build firm?
Y K
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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JAN MOYER
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
unhappy with our design/build firm
Comments (7)We have gone through a similar nightmare here. Planned an extensive remodel/addition of our small cape in MA and originally went with a very reputable and expensive DB firm. We started the never ending journey almost 2 years ago and our house should have been done last year this time. The design phase was dragged out so long (meetings w/"project manager", meetings w/kd etc)that by the time it was complete and we had our contract it was 2 weeks before the "break ground" date! I know now that they thought they had us over a barrell and that we would have paid whatever it took to get the job done because they also knew that we had tried for a year prior to get the work done. LONG STORY...anyway. The contract did not include alot of what we had discussed at our many meetings and the proposed budget was so far away from the agreed upon amount that we ended up firing the firm and essentially starting over. One of the many problems with a DB firm is that they could have more than one architect employeed and in our case we got the guy right out of school(of course we didn't know that when we hired them)Unfortunately, aspects of the design never worked for us but we were told it was the only solution. Your know being an older house and all... They also tried,unsuccessfully I might add, to prevent us from using the plan that we paid thousands for but unfortunately in the end we had to pay another architect to get the plan right. If you are happy with your plans and there is a clause that states that you are the owner of the plans then there should be no problem. As I said, our DB firm tried to prevent us from using ours but they were not successful. Remember too it is expensive for them to follow through with a suit and a court of law would have a difficult time finding in the firms favor especially since you paid for the documents and it sounds like the contract clearly states that you own them. Also,When we had other builders look at our plans the DB Firm had created a MONSTER that was difficult for any GC to read. It seemed there was alot of unnecessary and expensive work detailed in the original plan that was easily drilled down by the new architect. HAPPY ENDING...almost. We are in the middle of our renovation with a great builder and a plan that meets our needs. It is still over budget but that goes with the territory. We hope to be back in our new digs by the end of the summer. We'll see. :)...See Moredesign/build firm, contractor or carpenter?
Comments (4)Or a kitchen dealership. It depends on the kitchen dealers that are in your area and how they are set up. Also depends on the amount of service you want or need. You could hire kitchen dealer for design, cabinets, countertops, hardware...misc materials. Then hire them to install (if they offer installation) or, hire your own general contractor. Or skip that and hire a Design/build firm. DB is usually the most expensive route, but you get what you pay for. DB will have more hand holding and service along the way....See MoreAnyone use a design/build firm for their remodel? Pros & cons?
Comments (4)...is it worth it for the convenience of having someone coordinate and handle the whole project for you? Although we DIY the majority of projects around the house, cabinets and counters were something we felt best left to 'the experts'. We didn't want to risk making any costly mistakes on our own. ...are you limited in materials selections? I don't know how unique this is, but we were told we would not be allowed to visit the stone yard and pick our slabs (among the granite 'swatches' available to us). The owner told us if we insisted on viewing and selecting the slabs (who wouldn't?!), he would have to "put a KD" on our project. Really strange, and in hindsight, this should have been a red flag to us. While they had an array of drawer hardware and appliances displayed, we weren't required to purchase through the shop. Just from the few replies you've received, it's clear every firm operates a little differently. Ask lots of questions and take notes. Above all, be sure to get references, and don't think a firm's competent based only on Houzz awards and 5-star online ratings. Good luck!...See MoreGood bath design-build firm in Northern VA?
Comments (4)I'm not sure whether she also does bathroom design, but we used Savena Doychinov (https://www.houzz.com/pro/designstudiointl/design-studio-international) for our kitchen design/build. The final project went well beyond kitchen design, since we had to remove a load bearing wall and replace it with an LVL beam to get the layout we wanted. Our project ran over schedule (like many) and we ended up choosing and buying more expensive appliances than we first estimated, but the final product was great. On her web page, the kitchen shown on the top right of the project list (it has red stools, white cabinets, etc.) is our kitchen. The bottom five pictures are the "before" pictures of the kitchen, so you can see what we started with. Bruce...See MoreUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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JAN MOYER