Are you ready to renovate your house? That’s great! Your remodel can be life-changing if you work with the right people. Yes, the company you employ for home remodeling is so important, it can determine your project’s success. So you can’t be too cautious when choosing that company. Your options include a design-build firm and a general remodeling contractor. We’ve laid out their differences so you can make an informed decision.
Contents
- The Definitions of a Design-Build Firm and a Remodeling Contractor
- Differences Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Contractor
- The Similarities Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Remodeling Contractor
- Benefits of Choosing a Design-Build Firm
- The Biggest Reason to Prefer a Design-Build Firm Over a General Contractor
- Working with Capozzi Design Build
The Definitions of a Design-Build Firm and a Remodeling Contractor
Design-Build Firm
A design-build firm is a single-source solution for every stage of your home remodel. It offers various home remodeling services, such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling. A design-build firm also handles every step of the project, from design and material selections to project management and construction.
Full-Service Design-Build Remodeling
A design-build firm guides you through every phase of the design-build remodeling process. The design team begins by learning all about your wants and needs through phone calls and consultations. Then, they generate unique room designs full of custom solutions for your lifestyle. They even help you make all the selections and source the materials.
Next, the construction team safely and effectively demolishes the space before building it again according to the finalized design. They install every detail of the finalized design, from the cabinetry to the countertops and more. Throughout the process, they keep everything up to code and on budget and schedule. In the end, your space is entirely ready for you to live in.
So, a design-build firm covers every aspect of your remodel and leaves you with nothing to worry about. And the best design-build firms do it all while providing:
- Constant communication
- Efficient agendas
- Exceptional knowledge and skill
- The highest quality materials and installation methods
- Genuine care and consideration
- The utmost professionalism
Basically, a design-build firm is a one-stop shop for your home remodeling projects. And the right design-build firm for you will get everything about your remodel right.
Home Remodeling Contractors
The term “remodeling contractor” is unofficial. So, general remodeling contractors are general contractors, whether individuals or companies, that focus on remodels. General contractors are managers of building, renovating, and remodeling projects. They oversee a construction project and enter the main contract with the property owner.
This contract specifies what the general contractor will accomplish, usually executing the design they received. After doing so, they work on the areas of construction that they can handle according to their skill. For example, they may have a background in framing, carpentry, and other aptitudes.
Then, if necessary, they may hire subcontractors to complete different parts of the project. For example, they’ll find someone to do the plumbing or electricity. They may also enlist sub-subcontractors and suppliers to get the job done. So, they supervise all the work but don’t necessarily do it all.
Additionally, general contractors may offer design-build services. In that case, they oversee the project’s design and construction. General contractors offer design-build services that streamline communication and coordination to lower costs, minimize risks, and increase efficiency.
General contractors are project managers who deal with many different groups, including property owners. And because they have so much to deal with, working with a general contractor can get complicated.
Differences Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Contractor
The definitions of a design-build firm and a general remodeling contractor suggest working with one over the other results in a unique remodel experience. However, you can better gauge your experience by discovering the differences between a design-build firm and a general remodeling contractor. These differences include:
1. A design-build firm is a branded and recognizable company.
A design-build firm is not someone with a truck and a tool belt. Rather, it’s an established organization of talented, time-tested people. Such an organization has:
- A logo
- Branded materials
- A website
- An online presence
- Vendors
- A showroom
- Materials
- All necessary tools and equipment
- A warehouse
The best design-build firms have a long history of publications, awards, certifications, active industry group memberships, and community sponsorship.
Some general contractors are branded and recognizable as well. But others are simply someone with a truck. They might have a company name on the truck, but they build their reputations on word of mouth more than anything else.
These general contractors may work alone or with one other person. They may also have limited availability during the day for communication and appointments since they’ll be working on projects. So, you won’t get a lot of customer service from them. Nor will you be able to research their past work, reviews, product selections, or other aspects of their business very well.
And honestly, when you can’t learn much about a general contractor’s background, working with them is a gamble. However, working with a well-established design-build firm gives you the chance to guarantee that your remodel team has plenty of knowledge, experience, resources, relationships, and success inside and outside of the industry.
2. Full-service design-build firms comprise elite teams of highly trained professionals.
Like all good-sized businesses, a full-service design-build firm has a hierarchy of leadership that generally puts the most experienced, educated, and enduring team members at the top. For example, the principal of the firm may be a multi-generation remodeler who is intensely passionate and well-versed in a wide variety of relevant terms and techniques.
Their second in command is someone they know well and with whom they have a great working relationship due partly to the fact that the head believes in their second’s competence and capabilities. The skills of the supervisors are undoubtedly significant to the projects. Therefore, this foundation of management can make for a very successful company.
But equally important are the abilities of the individuals in the rest of the company. These people will be directly interacting with your remodel. They will literally be getting their hands dirty to get the job done. Therefore, the lower-level employees of a design-build firm must also be as skilled and qualified as possible.
The Best Design-Build Firms Have Decades of Training
At design-build firms like Capozzi, team members are cross-trained in all the different systems. Furthermore, they complete drug tests and background checks to prove their reliability. Finally, they are world-class professionals who eagerly serve clients at the highest level.
If you work with a general contractor, you’ll have access to a limited number of remodeling suggestions and solutions. Some general remodeling contractors have shallow skill sets that require them to hire subcontractors for jobs they can’t do. Those general contractors are tempted to choose someone with a lower price tag rather than a higher skill level to save money. Such a sacrifice of quality is risky. Thankfully, working with a design-build firm provides the proficiency you need at your price point.
3. Design-build firms possess industry expertise.
Full-service design-build firms employ industry experts who address their areas of each project with complete knowledge and skill. These individuals are the wizards of their trade. Understandably, having them around is extremely handy when a remodel gets complicated. Because they are already working on the project, these experts can finish their tasks faster and better while forecasting and fending off future issues.
What’s more, the staff at design-build firms like Capozzi have professional designations and accreditations. For example, several members of the Capozzi design team are Certified Kitchen Designers, Certified Aging in Place Specialists, and Certified Living In Place Professionals. With these credentials, the Capozzi design team has all the education and training required to diagnose, solve, predict, and prevent any issues.
Again, the capabilities of a general contractor are more general. Their experience is more spread out. So, if they ever need a real expert, they must find and subcontract that individual. Doing so takes more time and money.
4. Residential design-build firms are licensed, bonded, and insured to work in your home.
Because a design-build firm manages every part of your remodel, they have the proper licenses and sufficient insurance for all their work. Securing and retaining the right insurance policies for this work is not cheap. However, design-build firms maintain full coverage for all their trades.
Unfortunately, some general contractors only buy insurance that meets the minimum state law requirements, and many of these policies are full of exclusions. What’s more, some general contractors can produce an insurance policy certificate when asked, but the actual policy has lapsed.
The right company for your remodel will do whatever it takes to protect you and your home in case of an accident or accidental damage. And those people are design-build firms like Capozzi Design Build.
5. Full-service design-build firms focus on your remodel until they finish it.
Again, general contractors are project managers who often manage multiple projects simultaneously. Especially if the contractor is one person or a small group of people, they usually juggle a handful of distinct contracts to be profitable. These projects pull general contractors in different directions and occasionally away from your project. As a result, your project could take longer and cost more money.
Full-service design-build firms avoid this problem by assigning a team of people to your project and making it their sole responsibility. They dedicate all their attention to your remodel so they can finish as fast as possible.
Another advantage of this devotion is quick and easy communication. Some design-build firms hold long weekday hours and are also available on weekends. And they give you several ways to reach them. That way, you can check in on your project, get the latest updates, and know the status of the timeline on your schedule, not someone else’s.
The design-build firm for you provides solutions to keep your project on track. They also care so much about your needs and concerns that they’ll do whatever they can to satisfy you. As a result, your remodel will maximize the return on your investment and on your enjoyment.
6. A design-build firm provides excellent project management.
While general contractors aren’t necessarily authorities in all areas of construction, they are project managers. So, you might assume hiring a general contractor is the best way to ensure your project runs smoothly and efficiently. In reality, some general contractors are up to the task but aren’t the only masters of remodel project management.
Full-service design-build firms are as good if not better at project management. Design-build firms also handle numerous projects, so they have tried and proven systems in place for finishing work quickly while maintaining quality. They also have dedicated project managers who constantly inspect the work to keep the remodel on track while avoiding rework.
If anything goes wrong, a design-build firm immediately brings in backup personnel so the original team can continue moving forward. Whereas, a general contractor might have to fix the problem himself, convince the subcontractor to fix it, or find a new subcontractor to correct the work of the old subcontractor. Either way, waiting for a general contractor to get the crisis under control takes time. And the longer your remodel lasts, the more it costs you.
The Similarities Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Remodeling Contractor
With so many differences between them, design-build firms and general remodeling contractors are definitely distinct. However, they have a few things in common.
First, both design-build firms and general remodeling contractors can acquire the design of a project from several places, such as the clients themselves, in-house designers, interior designers, and architects. General contractors are more likely to outsource project designs since they don’t usually specialize in design. However, design-build firms are also completely open to these collaborations.
Secondly, both design-build firms and general remodeling contractors can remodel your home. You can get a finished product with each. And you may get a finished project you love with each. But getting that finished project may look a lot different. If you want to work with just one team of seasoned pros who complete every project phase with high speed and high standards, you should choose a design-build firm.
Benefits of Choosing a Design-Build Firm
Collaboration
One of the standout benefits of working with a design-build firm is seamless collaboration between you and the team. The professionals at Capozzi Design Build boast over 200 years of design and construction experience. That’s a lot of exposure to every aspect of the process. Our integrated approach spares you from juggling multiple contracts. Instead, you have a dedicated partner guiding you through every step, from the initial sketches to the final touches.
Customization
With home remodeling, one size doesn’t fit all. So, as a design-build firm, Capozzi prides itself on implementing a meticulous design process tailored to you. This level of detail ensures your space is beautiful and functional for your lifestyle. Whether we’re crafting a spacious kitchen or integrating aging-in-place features, we design with intention.
Value
A design-build firm that understands the latest technology integrates the right systems for today and tomorrow into your remodel. From helping you visualize the space with 3D renderings, to suggesting innovative materials that stand the test of time, Capozzi is always utilizing new conveniences to future-proof your remodel. Of course, we also safeguard your investment by considering your lifestyle, budget, and dreams and presenting solutions that address all of them.
Comprehensiveness
A good design-build firm looks beyond the walls of a house to create spaces that nourish the mind, body, and spirit. As health enthusiasts and cooking aficionados, the Capozzi team understands the significance of a home that supports personal well-being. Whether you need an ergonomic kitchen design for your culinary adventures or a tranquil bathroom retreat for relaxation, we consider every aspect of your health and happiness. We even use products and materials that protect your home and air quality during and after your remodel.
Expertise
The full-service approach of a design-build firm means they handle everything: design production, materials procurement, storage, project management, and installation. At Capozzi, we execute every part of your remodel with precision. We manage every detail, from the largest structural work to the smallest finish, with excellence so you can rest easy.
Integrity
Our core values of honesty, quality, accountability, and teamwork aren’t just words: they’re the foundation of our design-build operation. We understand the concerns of excessive charges and the fears of unreliable contractors. That’s why we provide transparent pricing and realistic timelines. We’re here to build trust, not just homes.
The Biggest Reason to Prefer a Design-Build Firm Over a General Contractor
One last reason to entrust your remodel to a design-build like Capozzi is that they prioritize client relationships.
A full-service design-build firm loves when you shower them with high praise and referrals. But they prize your happiness either way. And they create an extraordinary customer experience no matter what.
Capozzi doesn’t want you to deal with poor quality, project delays, bad communication, or any other mark of unprofessionalism during your remodel. And we want you to know that you can turn to us for anything now and in the future. So, we nurture a lasting connection with you that values your trust.
Working with Capozzi Design Build
Capozzi is a design-build firm that truly respects its clients. We check all of the boxes of a top-notch remodeling company, such as:
- Third-generation remodeling specialist with more than 25 years in the business
- Licensed, bonded, and insured
- Professional designations and accreditations
- Work published in national publications
- Rigorously trained team members who undergo drug tests and background checks
- Award-winning showroom
- Long weekday and weekend hours during which they are easily accessible
- Floor protection and HEP filtration used during demolition
- Active members of national associations and local communities
- A fully backed 2-year Workmanship Warranty
Based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Capozzi is unlike any other design-build firm. Our team can handle projects of any size, variety, and budget. And our clients consider us the best remodeling company in the area. We may be the best company for you as well. Contact Capozzi Design today to find out!
