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Great question. ARK Studio truly provides the best of all options, combining architectural expertise, a residential experience and focus, and the most effective cost. ARK Studio has experience working within both Design-Build (DB) and Design-Bid-Build (DBB), and can fit effectively into either project delivery. Whether working with a builder or homeowner, our job is to make the project a better overall experience. By thoroughly documenting the client's design ideas into comprehensive construction drawings, the client benefits from accurate bidding, cost and construction. Meanwhile, the builder benefits from thorough documentation and a well-informed, satisfied client.
Your new or renovated home is a major investment, and we would like to help you see it done right. When you're planning to build or renovate your home, there are several options available for integrating the design phase into the project. To avoid either overpaying for the right level of quality or underpaying for not enough, below is a brief guide to some common residential project delivery options. Each has its pros and cons, which are only meant as a reference for typical project scenarios and may not be true for all cases. Depending on your specific project, ARK Studio may be a better fit as an alternative design phase option. Learn more and find out:
Just as its name indicates, this project delivery has three separate and complete phases. The client hires an architect for design and then receives bids from General Contractors (GCs) for construction. The architect and GC are each separately hired by the client, and although the architect can also assist the client in facilitating bids, the final selection of a qualified GC is ultimately the client’s choice.
PROS: Most clients are not experts in the design and construction process. For this reason and for the highest quality, architect-led DBB is the most logical choice. The client is led through a thorough design phase by the architect, and is provided a detailed set of construction drawings for their own use in bidding and construction.
CONS: Architects are rigorously educated and licensed professionals with a large amount of design, structural and legal knowledge. Because of this, their fees incorporate a high cost of overhead, liability and licensure. So while your project will be professionally designed and documented, you will pay a premium for it. In most states, an architects seal is not required for residential construction documents. In Michigan, it is only required for residences greater than 3500 sf.
Dahl, Jonathan. 1,001 Things They Won't Tell You: An Insiders Guide to Spending, Saving, and Living Wisely. New York, NY: Workman, 2009.
[Excerpt retrieved 10-19-2009 from realestate.msn.com]
Contrary to the indication of the title, this article is not intended by the author as a negative representation of builders and GCs as a whole. At ARK Studio we work with many very well-qualified GCs. This purpose of the article is as a reference guide for issues relevant to selection of qualified design and construction professionals.