Jauregui

As a residential architect and head of an established design/build firm, it has been challenging for me to approach this column, “Jauregui On Design”, from a design perspective only.  It’s like designing with one arm tied behind my back.  With the indulgence of the magazine’s readership, I’m going to direct this article to my fellow design/build companies.          

One of the queries we often get from prospective clients is what advantages do we offer over the traditional method of working with an architect and builder independently.  I will approach this from a perspective based on my own company’s organization and services. 

The first thing we communicate is how advantageous it is to have both the architect and builder at the design table. There are many upsides to this collaboration for the client, and it becomes an easy “sell” when comparing the process to the standard method of contracting the services separately. 

Firstly, the client benefits from having the architect’s design expertise and the builder’s knowledge of cost together at the design table.  It results in a financially feasible and well articulated project when the d/b team inherently has a fiduciary responsibility to provide a competitive cost based on their expertise.  Clients will be assured that the architect/builder team will direct the project toward reasonable budget parameters based on their experience and expertise with cost.  Clients will be provided a realistic cost estimate upfront and kept informed via periodic cost updates as design develops.  Ultimately, Clients benefit by becoming empowered with information that allows them to direct their investment where it makes sense for them. 

A second primary advantage to design/build is the elimination of finger pointing among professionals because the project is wholly managed by one entity.  “The buck stops here” has never been truer.  The project’s success in all areas, including design, construction and financial, becomes the full responsibility (and liability) of the architect/build firm.  For the client, this results in a smoother process and ultimately less stress when conflicts remain transparent and internal within the company. 

This segues to a primary topic which I consider fundamental to not only a successful project but to the long term health of a design/build company.  High quality documents, in my experience, are critical and should be emphasized as the basis of the agreement among parties. The perception is that d/b companies have the ability to design as they go, and therefore may not require well developed drawings.  This opinion is probably more prevalent in builder-lead companies rather than architect-lead firms.  Builders may be happy with “builder sets” that allow for interpretation in the implementation and dismiss a well executed detailed design as unnecessary.  I think this is dangerous in a contractual context for a d/b company because the buck does indeed stop with us. 

All details of construction including design, dimensions, finishes, specifications and cost should be documented and integrated into the construction contract prior to construction start.  It is the complete set of drawings and specifications that will define the architect/builder’s responsibilities to the project and to the client, and very importantly, serve to determine what a change order is or is not.

Other benefits of a truly integrated design/build company include 1) the builder is very familiar with plans and specs prior to construction start, having been with the project since inception; 2) the architect is effectively “on call” for the project, providing project management as part of the overall service; 3) the ever present Change Order can be expeditiously implemented without disrupting the flow because all the team is at hand; 4) the client/builder relationship has evolved to a level of confidence and respect.  All in all, Design/Build inherently results in a very good checks and balances to the client’s best interests. 
 
Entering into a design/build contract requires significant good faith on the part of the client as they entrust us not only to build a high quality home but to provide a great design within a competitive cost.  At the end of the day, it is the level of integrity brought to the table by all parties that will ultimately determine a successful relationship and project.  As design/build professionals, it is our reputation, expertise and longevity that will set us apart from the competition.