Short answer: design and build means one company designs and builds your project under a single contract. It gives you one point of contact, faster decisions and more cost certainty. The traditional route, appointing an architect and then tendering to builders, can suit very complex or unusual projects where you want an independent designer overseeing the contractor.
How the traditional route works
You appoint an architect to design the project and prepare drawings, then a structural engineer to design the structure. Once planning is approved, the drawings go out to tender and you choose a builder. The builder prices what has been drawn, and you hold separate contracts with each professional.
The weak point is the gap between design and construction. If the drawings are hard to build or the tender prices come back over budget, you may need to redesign and resubmit, which adds time and cost.
How design and build works
With design and build, one company takes responsibility from the first sketch to the final handover. At Surrey Build Group our architects, structural engineers and builders work together under one roof, so the people who design your home talk to the people who build it every day.
Comparing the two
- Cost certainty. Because the team that will build your project prices the design, there are fewer surprises. We lock in your agreed build cost when you appoint us.
- Speed. There is no separate tender stage, and engineering questions are answered in house rather than waiting for an outside consultant.
- Accountability. With one contract there is one company responsible. If something needs resolving, there is no debate between designer and builder about whose problem it is.
- Flexibility during the build. Clients can still refine layouts as the space takes shape, with the cost of any change agreed before it goes ahead.
Which is right for you?
For most loft conversions, extensions and whole house renovations, design and build is the simpler, faster and more predictable route. If you already have planning drawings from an independent architect, we can still help: our engineers and builders can price and deliver the design you have.
Book your Project Kick Start Meeting and we will talk you through how your project would run from concept to completion.
