The Design/Build Concept
The design/build concept is one where the artist and the artisan join as one entity, with your project foremost in their minds. All too often, one hires an architect/designer to draw the dream and someone else to make that dream a reality. This type of disjointed effort can lead to many a misunderstanding, causing the project to be delayed, cost more, and not resemble your original version of the completed result.
The design/build concept incorporates all phases of your construction project into one:
The Design The Budget The Construction
Many times the designer draws the plans for what you expect: however, then these plans are put out for bids and, usually, the lowest bid is accepted. This can be a serious problem. The low bidder may have to cut construction costs by lowering the quality of the work and using inferior materials. This may even result in your project being unfinished because the contractor "low balls" the prices to get a foot in the door, then raises the prices during construction, not allowing for realistic financial planning. The ideas the artist has drawn may be incorrectly interpreted by the artisan because you are dealing with two separate entities, who, most times, have not even met each other. This gap between the designing and the building can result in higher costs due to difficulty in determining the budget and the time delays. The end result might be your worst nightmare instead of your best dream! With everyone on the same page, the project can be completed in a timely manner, with a lower cost basis, and your dreams can be fulfilled.
At Your Money's Worth we feel that, next to selecting a doctor, selecting a contractor is the most important decision you can make. Look for honesty, integrity, craftmanship, and business ability, not just price. You will, basically, be living with your contractor for several months and with the end result for many years. After all, this is your home and it should be everything you want.