5 Benefits of Hiring a Design Build Firm

By Erin Gilmer

For many of us, the start of a new year, even a new decade, is the spark that encourages us to make improvements in our life, both on a small and grand scale. Whether your resolutions for 2020 fall in the category of small daily life changes or the latter, one basic principle these resolutions share is that they begin with a plan. Most every improvement; personal, financial or lifestyle, necessitates a plan on how to begin, maintain and finally achieve a desired end result. As with life changes, the need for a plan holds true in all aspects of home building, interior design and the home improvement process.

The way in which one approaches a home improvement project or even how one determines whom to hire for the project is all part of the process and plan for change. Whether your home improvement project is large or small, the first step in beginning the project is to decide who will be the best fit for the job. Working with a Design Build firm for home improvements can create a seamless process from concept to inception.

UNITY: For homeowners, working with a Design Build firm eliminates the hassle often associated with coordinating multiple construction bids, design development and scheduling of various sub-trades. A Design Build firm incorporates all stages of a project; estimating, designing, bidding and build-out process under one entity. This single, unified entity allows for a cohesive design, smooth bidding process and timely construction.

COMMUNICATION: As one entity, a Design Build firm includes all the elements of the design-build process from the beginning stages of the project. The architect, engineer, general contractor and design team work together from day one. Communication between the project team members provides a unified and cohesive plan throughout the project process.

ACCOUNTABILITY: A unified team plus cohesive communication equals accountability. The dis-jointed process and potential for miscommunication between an independent designer, contractor and the sub-contractors is eliminated when a Design Build firm is hired for a project. The licensed contractor, interior designer and project team work together to develop a cohesive design, realistic budget and timely schedule for the homeowner.

COST SAVING: Design Build firms bring all elements of a project under one umbrella. This umbrella structure streamlines the individual aspects of the pre-planning, estimating, designing, scheduling and construction phases of an owner’s project. Design Build firms save homeowners time and money that would otherwise be spent trying to coordinate and manage the multiple trades involved in a project.

TIMELINESS: Working with a Design Build firm and the streamlined structure of a single entity allows for a timely completion of your project. Design and construction phases run concurrently on your project, cohesive communication exists through all phases, and homeowners manage a single contract with the Design Build firm. All of these aspects result in timely schedules throughout the course of the owner’s project.

For more information about the Design Build process or how to work with a Design Build Firm, please contact Erin Gilmer of Heritage Design & Build Southeast, LLC at erin@heritagedesignbuildllc.com.

Erin Gilmer is the co-owner of Heritage Design & Build Southeast with her husband, Gary Gilmer. Erin also works with design clients through her independent design firm of 15 years, Erin Gilmer Interiors, LLC. Erin Gilmer is a graduate of the University of Georgia Family and Consumer Sciences College with a B.S. in Furnishings & Interiors. The couple resides in Appling, GA and work on projects throughout the Southeast from Georgia to Virginia.