Why Design/Build?     |     Design/Build Process

Why Design/Build?

     Known as “turnkey” or “single-source responsibility,” design / build is a system of contracting under which one entity performs both architectural / engineering design and construction. With both design and construction in the hands of a single entity, there is a single point of responsibility for quality, cost and schedule adherence. The designer / builder is motivated to deliver a successful project by fulfilling multiple parallel objectives, including aesthetic and functional quality, budget and schedule for timely completion.

What are the advantages of Design/Build?
      On November 6, 1997, at the Design / Build Institute of America’s annual conference, the Construction Industry Institute, in conjunction with Pennsylvania State University, presented findings from the National Project Delivery System Study. This study analyzed and evaluated three project delivery systems – design / build, construction management at risk, and design / bid / build – comparing total cost, schedule adherence and quality on 351 projects. The study provided quantitative evidence that the Design/Build System is the most economical, and efficient project delivery system today.

• Unit Cost Design / Build at least 4.5% less than Construction Management and 6% less than Design / Bid / Build
• Construction Speed Design / Build at least 7% faster than Construction Management and 12% faster than Design / Bid / Build
• Delivery Speed Design / Build at least 23% faster than Construction Management and 33% faster than Design / Bid / Build
• Quality Design / Build exceeded quality expectations at all levels

How does the client benefit from Design / Build?

• Single Source Responsibility
  Eliminates construction frustration because of “finger pointing” or “blame placing”, common in the construction industry. The designer / builder is responsible and accountable for every facet of the construction process.
• Establish Cost
  Project budgets and construction costs are determined before the start of detailed design. By allowing one entity total control over design, scope and budget, there is less opportunity for related change orders.
• Reduce Cost
  Decrease the overall project cost as compared to other procurement methods (construction management, design-bid-build, etc.).
  This cost reduction stems from two main components, the shortening of project duration and the introduction of the contractor’s knowledge early into the design.
• Establish Schedule
  Secure a project schedule before the start of detailed design. For the same reasons some owners choose design / build to Establish Cost, it can and may be chosen to establish a fixed schedule. A majority of the schedule growth in the traditional method stems from communication problems between the architect and contractor. By allocating responsibility to one entity, these issues are minimized.
• Reduce Construction Time
  Decrease the overall project completion time as compared to other procurement methods (construction management, design-bid-build, etc.). Design / Build promotes schedule reduction or shortening the duration of construction. Communication is greatly improved when design and construction are under one contract. This results in reduced design and construction cycle time and encourages “fast tracking”, a technique whereby construction begins before the plans and specifications are finished. The resulting time savings translates into lower costs and earlier occupancy of the completed facility.
• Constructability / Innovation
  Introduce construction knowledge into design early in the process. Inherent in the design / build process is early involvement of the contractor. Interjecting contractor knowledge early into design fosters creative design and construction solutions. Design / Build promotes constructability and innovation in the same manner as a value engineering plan.

Why choose Hal Maris?
     Hal Maris Design / Build Group offers a unique brand of design/build service. Unlike most “hybrid” design / build companies which are nothing more than joint ventures between individual architectural firms and construction companies, neither of which having any understanding or appreciation for the other, Hal Maris Design/Build Group blends both entities into one, working in harmony with the owner to produce a superior product while making the entire design/construction process an enjoyable experience for everyone.

     Hal Maris personally works with each client throughout the entire design/build process. From the initial meeting through planning, budgeting, scheduling, design, color and material selections, construction, all the way through until the client moves into their new home. Being both architect and contractor there is no reason to pass the client around from one person or department to another, increasing the chance of mistakes, misunderstanding and misinterpretations.

Benefits of working with Hal Maris

• Insures project will stay on or under budget
• Insures project will stay on or ahead of schedule
• Promotes shorter construction time / saving money / occupying house sooner
• Eliminates conflict between architect and contractor
• Eliminates misinterpretation of plans and specifications
• Promotes higher quality standards of workmanship
• Insures project will meet or exceed owner’s expectations
• Insures project will meet or exceed technical performance specifications
• Increases client confidence and enjoyment of the entire process
• Promotes creativity and uniqueness
• Guarantees lower construction costs from experience in both design and construction

Hal Maris has decades of experience in architecture, contracting and working with people. Let us put our experience to work for you and prove that dreaming, designing and building your unique home can be both a memorable and pleasurable experience.

Design/Build Process

1. Contact Hal Maris Design / Build Group
2. Initial Meeting
   a. This meeting is when you get to interview your Architect / Builder and we get to interview our prospective client. This is a long term project and both parties need to be able to form a partnership with a common goal. We will discuss your dreams and goals for your new home and talk about ways of achieving the desired outcome.
3. Pre-design Meeting
   a. This is the time where the specifics about your new home are discussed. This meeting sometimes takes place at the initial meeting. Some items discussed might include size, number of rooms, price, layout, location, site specifics, materials, exterior and interior appearance, etc. This is a good time to show us pictures and articles about features you want to incorporate into your new home.
   b. If you already have a plan you like, Hal Maris Design / Build Group can take that plan and modify it to suit your exact needs.
4. Preliminary Design
   a. This is the rough draft plan of you new home. This plan’s purpose is to start bringing together ideas and putting them into a graphical form that will represent you new home. This plan is intended to be reviewed, discussed, and modified to achieve a design that accomplishes all that has been discussed in previous meetings.
5. Cost Estimate
   a. The cost estimate is designed to focus in on a budget and allow for plan modifications if required. Your goals will be much more obtainable if open discussion is had about realistic budgets. Changes are much less costly at this point rather than during the construction.
6. Final Design
   a. This phase is where we finalize the construction documents to reflect your design and budget.
   b. Your loan process can also begin during this time and all of the required drawings and estimates can be provided for this process to begin.
7. Geotechnical Investigation
   a. A Geotechnical Engineer will bore holes into the soil under the prospective house site and will test the soil to determine exact characteristic of your site. This information will ensure that the engineer can properly design your foundation to resist any movement and that no unknown condition exist under you new home that would compromise the integrity of your new investment or cost you unexpected expenses. Your soil should be properly compacted and your foundation should be constructed as engineered before framing begins. No one should invest in a major purchase such as a new home unless they know that it will be built upon a firm foundation.
8. Start of Construction
   a. Surveyor - Once we are given the go-ahead to begin construction, we will hire a surveyor to lay the house out on the site. This will ensure that the house is exactly where it was designed to be located.
   b. Grading - The dirt contractor will provide excavation, fill, compaction, and testing to ensure your homes foundation has the best possible conditions for construction to begin. The dirt contractor will also provide rough grading if required to contour you site for proper site drainage.
   c. Concrete – You foundation is now ready to be installed. You foundation will be inspected by our office as well as any required city inspection before and during the pour to insure that the engineered design is followed as per design. Prior to the concrete pour you rough-ins for plumbing, electrical, and other items will be roughed in by the proper contractors.
   d. Framing - It now begins to take shape, changes occur every day and you begin to get a feel of what you new home will look like. Walls, ceilings, and the roof are framed. Roof decking and wall sheathing are applied and you house takes form. Exterior doors and windows are installed and exterior house wrap is installed to weather proof your house. Windows are a major component in your new home. You not only need to consider the visual appearance of the windows you select but also the energy efficiency. Windows are an item that seems to be a pay now or pay later especially in regard to energy loss in your home. Let us help you choose a window that will balance the cost factor and energy savings to best fit your needs.
   e. Top out - Major trades begin work on your house. Plumbers begin running pipes and the electrician runs your wiring. The mechanical contractor will install your air handler and run the duct work for your climate control system. There are many choices in modern homes for water heating, electrical wiring, climate control, and home automation. Please feel free to ask question during our pre-design meeting so that we may incorporate the items that fit your needs the best into your new home.
   f. Roofing – Your flashings and shingles are now installed and attic ventilation, if required, will be installed per plans.
   g. Insulation – This is one of the most important steps in insuring that your new home runs as cost efficient as it can. The insulation contractor is responsible for caulking and foaming all openings and penetrations in the building envelope keeping your hard earned dollars indoors where they should be. You also have a few options on insulation materials all of which have pros and cons but each filling a specific need. A couple of those materials are fiberglass insulation and spray applied urethane insulation. Please talk to us about these options when we begin our pre-design meeting.
9. Finish Out
   a. We are now ready to begin the finish out of your new home. We start with installation of your exterior finish such as brick, stone, or wood.
   b. We are also starting drywall in the interior of your home. As the drywall begins to cover up the working systems inside the walls of you home, you can rest assured that you have made the right choices by being informed about the types of choices, cost, and payback of each choice you have selected.
   c. Following drywall will be tape, bed, and texture that will give definition to and lay the foundation for the paint and decorations in each room.
   d. Cabinets are the next item to be installed in your home. Cabinets have so many choices of styles, woods, colors that you could spend weeks on just this item alone. The best way of making a good decision about your cabinets is to go directly to the source, the manufacturer. We will help you make decisions about your cabinets by meeting with you and the cabinet manufacturer and going thru your plans one room at a time.
   e. This is a busy time inside of your new home. Trim carpenters are hanging doors, and trim, painters are applying you favorite colors and cabinet tops are being installed.
   f. We are getting close and the final touches need to be done. Electricians and plumbers, and A/C contractors are finishing out your homes' systems.
   g. We are ready for the floors now. Floors bring a whole room together with a background for the texture and colors in your walls and decorations. So many choices to choose from. Carpet, wood, tile, stained concrete. Go wild and pick something that makes your home yours.
   h. It’s time to wrap this thing up. We are now ready for a final cleaning inside and out. We are also installing sidewalks, irrigation, and landscaping.
   i. Time for that final inspection by Hal Maris Design / Build Group and you the new owner.
10. Closing Time
    a. Sign those papers and call the movers.
    b. It has been a great project and we hope you have many happy years in your new home. I hope we have succeeded in helping you create reality from you dreams and ideas. If we have, tell a friend or two, we need another job and you can be our best advertiser by the referrals that you give.
11. Warranty
    a. Our company stands behind our work providing you the owner with a 10 year warranty on structural items, a 2 year warranty on mechanical & electrical systems and a one year warranty on workmanship for your new home.