Browse Their Portfolio of Work
This is a must. Looking through the portfolio of each design and build company you are considering hiring is hands down the best way to get a feel of the quality and style of their work and level of craftsmanship. Be sure to look through several companies so that you can compare and get an idea of what feels right for you.
A design and build company that has a portfolio of different styles shows versatility in skillsets, which means that they may be capable of different design methodologies. However, if you have a very specific taste, then you may want to go for a design and build company that specializes in what you are looking for.
Do You Like Their Style?
A design and build company’s portfolio may be diverse with many styles, but do you think they can capture your style and what you are looking for? The right design and build company will be one that can understand your style needs and match your needs and wants within your budget. Pick a couple of projects that you resonate with and talk to them about what you need. Be sure to tell the design and build company what you do and do not like about each project. From this, you will be able to gauge if you are on the same wavelength when it comes to design.
Find Someone You Can Trust, Read Their Customer Reviews
Reputation is everything. You want to hire a design and build company that you can trust with your time and money. Customer reviews and recommendations are valuable when considering which company to use, as these are honest reviews of their previous work. You can also request references from previous clients for both the design and build phase of their projects.
How Experienced is the Design and Build Company?
The more experience a company has the more likely they are to understand your needs and foresee any issues that they can advise you of in advance. This can save you time and money in the long run. They may also be able to advise you on better design suggestions you may not have thought of, which all comes with the experience of doing similar projects.
Ask Lots of Questions
It’s always good to have a general discussion on their previous design and build projects, to find out if they had encountered any setbacks, if so, what did they do about them, did this extend the projected timelines, how did this affect the cost, etc. As well ask asking design-related questions, make sure you also ask about the build stage — what types of jobs have they previously done, using which skillsets, how much were costs per square foot? The design and build company should be able to provide creative and thoughtful solutions for any speedbumps or roadblocks that you encounter during your construction phase. And trust me, with a million and one details for you to discuss, review and select, there will be at least one hiccup. What you’re looking for is how the design-build company handles crises and if you’re comfortable with (and trust) their position.
How Does it Feel to Communicate with Them?
One huge advantage of using a design and build company for your project is having one point of contact for your whole project. That’s why you need to feel confident that the company you select is open to new ideas and easily available should you have any concerns that need to be addressed and taken seriously in a non-confrontational manner. You want to ensure that you can build a good working relationship with your design and build company, they must be approachable and able to answer any questions that you have in a timely manner. It’s also important that they keep you updated as the project progresses and inform you of any changes to timelines or designs. It’s good to speak to the design team first and find out how they work with clients during this phase.
Are They Within Your Budget?
Using a design and build company can save you money, but every company is priced differently. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits when it comes to cost is that you won’t be incurring additional costs as the design team and build team work together to create your future home. Get quotes from the companies you are considering to help determine which companies work within your budget.
Do Your Due Diligence
Hopefully, these points will help you on what to look for in a design and build company that is right for you, which will not only save you time and money but allow you to still maintain the right level of design control and creative freedom. Do your due diligence on what to look for in a design and build company before you decide which firm to select, and make sure it feels right so that you have peace of mind that your project will be in good hands. Once you find the right design and build company you can relax knowing that your design ideas are in good hands and you can start focusing on the more important questions like putting together your invitation list for your forthcoming housewarming party.
Joy Luxe Club
