The Design/Build Process
For Remodeling Your Kitchen:
Understand Before You Build

The design/build process was developed in the late seventies, but just in the past ten years it has gained a foothold in the remodeling market, as consumers have taken a greater role in designing their homes. Design/build blends the traditional role of architectural drawings and a contractor's estimate into a complete remodeling package provided by one company. This is a service that is of great value to you, the customer, for a variety of reasons. First, your design is either drawn on a computer or by hand in a three-dimentional view, before the estimation process even begins.

Changes can be made on the computer or on paper before any remodeling occurs in your home. This is the best prevention of costly mistakes or misunderstandings. Secondly, a design/build firm starts the entire remodeling process by determining your goals for your project. Finally, a preliminary budget range is established, and then plans and specifications are finalized to arrive at a price. This documentation gives you the solid foundation on which to build your project. It also gives you a firm basis for price comparison and eliminates the guesswork about what is included in an estimate.

As remodeling contractors, we have the opportunity to work with architects, interior designers, and homeowners. It is the contractor's job to combine the architect's plans, the designer's ideas and most importantly, the homeowners requirements into the ideal kitchen, both functionally and aesthetically. The majority of the final design should come from talking with the homeowner and including him or her in the entire design/build process. Giving the homeowner more control over the remodeling process is essential. By listening to the needs and wants of the homeowner, and making the homeowner aware of the costs involved up front, makes for a better project for the contractor and a very happy homeowner.

Design/build projects often begin with homeowners bringing in photographs of kitchens they like. This is a great start. The next step is for the contractor or kitchen designer to ask the "right" questions. For example, we will likely ask:

Who will be using the kitchen the most?

How often will the kitchen be used?

Will it be used mostly just for your family living in the home or for entertaining?

Are there children or elderly living in the home?

Do you intend to stay in the home for a long time?

What style is the rest of your home?

How would you describe your personal style?

What is your budget?

The answers to these questions are then all translated into a set of construction drawings with clear specifications.

Three-dimentional construction drawings are really the only way to see exactly what your project will look like before it is complete. These drawings will show everything, from plumbing and outlets to placement and measurements of appliances, cabinets and countertops. Before investing money and time in such a project, you should know exactly what it will look like. Ask as many questions you need to understand the drawings and to understand how your kitchen will be remodeled. Clarifying details and concerns before any construction begins is the key to the design/build process.

While most firms will charge a nominal fee for the drawings used in the design/build process this is a small investment when it comes to knowing exactly what you will get for the rest of the money you will invest in your home.