If you are just starting your search for an architect in Long Beach, CA, you may not yet be familiar with the term “design-build firm,” but you probably should be! As the name implies, a design-build firm is one that has the internal capabilities to both design a building and construct it. On staff, the firm will have both an architect and a contractor. The architect (or design team) will draw up the plans for your project, and once they are approved, the contractor will take it from there. There are some definite benefits to using a design-build firm, but also a couple of big drawbacks that you should keep in mind.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an architect in Long Beach, CA who is not part of a design-build firm, so I might be biased. However, I think I can accurately portray the pros and cons of working with a design-build firm in Long Beach, as someone who has been in the industry for many years.
The Pros of Working with an Architect in Long Beach Who Is Part of a Design-Build Firm
The main advantage of a design-build firm is that you only have to deal with one company for your project. You work with one company from beginning to end—from the initial quote all the way through the completion of your project. You only sign one contract and pay one entity. The perceived simplicity of this is appealing to a lot of people who may already be overwhelmed by the entire process and want to streamline things a bit.
Presumably, the communication between an architect and a contractor who work out of the same office will be good, which could benefit the project as a whole. If the contractor has a question about the plans during the construction phase, he or she can go directly to the colleague who drew them up. Conversely, the architect can go to the general contractor during the design phase to discuss how a certain design element will play out in real life—or how it will affect the overall budget.
This type of communication and collaboration can be a definite advantage, but it should be pointed out that going with a design-build firm is not the only way to achieve this. My Long Beach architecture firm has great working relationships with many local contractors. We communicate freely with one another and are always available to each other to make sure a project crosses the finish line successfully.
The Cons
There are two drawbacks that I can think of when it comes to using a design-build firm. The first is that you have to find a firm at which you like both the architect and the contractor. You may really want to work with a certain architect, based on his or her reputation and portfolio, but you may then be forced to work with a certain contractor who is also employed by the firm—whether you want to or not.
The second downside to design-build firms is that you eliminate the competitive bidding process, which could potentially result in you spending more than what’s necessary on the construction phase of the project. When you go with an architect or architecture firm that is not connected to a specific general contractor, you are able to shop around the completed plans to multiple contractors. You can then compare the bids you receive. When contractors know a potential client is soliciting multiple bids, they are more motivated to provide their best pricing. Your preferred contractor may even be willing to negotiate on price when presented with bids from other contractors.
When there’s no competition, like at a design-build firm, the price they quote is typically the price you pay.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to go with a design-build firm is up to you, but it’s important that you make an informed decision. Talk to multiple firms—design-build and traditional architecture firms to decide which one will be best for your project.
