56,218 Design and Construction Firms

What does a design and construction firm do?

Firms that can carry out both design and construction take on the combined responsibilities of an architect, draftsman, construction company and additional contractors, providing one point of contact for homeowners. Having one entity responsible for the entire design and build, from estimation to subcontracting and even post-construction, streamlines and often speeds up the project significantly. Having a unified project team can also help you avoid unforeseen costs and delays in construction. In addition, the homeowner only has to interpret one contract with the design and construction firm, and not with various architectural design and contracting professionals. However, depending on the firm, you may still want to contact an interior designer or architect to help create the exact look you want. Here are some related professionals and vendors to complement the work of design & construction firms: Interior Designers & Decorators, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Architects, Photographers.

Should I do my own project management?

Project management demands time, skills and an eye for both detail and efficiency. While many homeowners choose to manage their own projects, they can often regret their decision once the build or home improvement project is complete. Homeowners should carefully consider the time they have available to allocate to locating, hiring and eventually paying every contractor who enters the site. From certifiers to roofers, and even your draftsman, a firm that can undertake design and construction benefits from having all of these home professionals under one roof.

Questions to ask prospective design and construction firms:

How many projects like mine have you completed?

Who will be working on the project?

Are your employees licensed and insured?

How do you charge, and what does that include?

Can you give me a written estimate?

What do your services include?

When can this job get done?

What happens when cost exceeds the budget? What about changes to materials or labour pricing?

What will I need to provide?

Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?

Find a design-build firm on Houzz. Scroll through this page to find design-build firms in your area. You can browse recent projects, read reviews and message the firm directly.

Another way to find a firm that can carry out design and construction is to browse Photos on Houzz. If there’s a photo you like, find out who designed and constructed it and strike up a conversation with the professional responsible.