Considering a Remodel?
Why Design-Build May Be the Smartest First Step
You’ve probably been considering it for years. Maybe it’s a kitchen or bathroom remodel, an unfinished basement that could become a rec room or home office, or a screened porch addition that finally creates the indoor-outdoor space you’ve always wanted.
For many homeowners, the ideas are clear, but the next step feels overwhelming. Calling contractors, choosing who to hire, and committing to a process can stop a project before it ever begins.
What many people don’t realize is that one of the most important decisions isn’t just who to hire - but what type of company to hire.
That’s where the design-build model comes in.
What Does “Design-Build” Actually Mean?
Design-build is a project delivery method where design and construction are handled by one integrated team, under one company. Instead of hiring a designer first and a contractor later, homeowners work with a single team that collaborates from the very beginning.
Design, budgeting, scheduling, and construction planning all happen together. At firms like Slate Creek Builders, this approach is not a marketing add-on - it’s the foundation of how projects are delivered.
Why “All Under One Roof” Matters
Not every company advertising design-build actually operates this way.
In some cases, a general contractor partners with an outside designer and presents the relationship as design-build. While that collaboration can work, it lacks the full integration that defines a true design-build firm.
When design and construction live in separate companies, homeowners can lose a level of oversight and ease of communication. Decisions take longer, coordination becomes more complex, and accountability can feel fragmented.
A true design-build company keeps designers, project managers, and construction professionals on the same internal team, using shared systems and shared responsibility. That structure allows issues to be identified earlier and projects to move forward more smoothly.
Understanding How Design-Build Is Billed
Another critical- but often overlooked - difference between design-build firms is how they structure fees and contracts.
Design-build does not automatically mean fixed pricing. Some companies bill design on an open-ended or hourly basis and then execute construction under a cost-plus contract, where the final price continues to evolve as the project progresses and expenses are incurred..
Which model is right often depends on the nature of the project. If the scope of work is clearly defined and the budget needs to be controlled, a fixed-price design-build model is especially attractive because it helps ensure the final project - and final spend - align with expectations. Cost-plus models tend to be better suited for projects where the scope will unfold over time and the budget is intentionally flexible.
While most design-build companies will bill for the up front design work, it is important to know what to expect for those fees and how the billing structure works. Having initial conversations about potential design options and budget ranges should help to create a predictable expense for the design portion of the project. At Slate Creek Builders, homeowners will pay an initial design fee based on an anticipated scope of the design and then after some budget reviews and discussions, receive a fixed-price construction contract based on a mutually agreed-upon design and scope of work. The contract reflects a completed plan - not an estimate that continues to shift during construction.
A true design-build experience prioritizes clarity, predictability, and trust.
Why Homeowners Are Choosing True Design-Build
When design and construction are fully integrated, and pricing is clearly defined, homeowners benefit from:
One point of contact throughout the project
Budget alignment during design, not after
Construction expertise involved from day one
Consistent quality control
Greater flexibility when changes are needed
Most importantly, homeowners gain confidence that the project they agree to is the project that will be delivered.
A Clearer Way to Begin Your Remodel
Remodeling is a major investment, and the process shouldn’t feel uncertain before construction even begins. Understanding how a design-build company is structured - and how it handles pricing - can make all the difference.
For homeowners ready to move from ideas to action, a true design-build approach offers a clearer, more collaborative, and more predictable path forward.
