So, you’ve decided to remodel your home, but now you need to figure out where to start and who to work with. There isn’t just one way to approach the home remodeling process. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, basement remodel, or another major home remodel project, choosing between a New Jersey design-build company and a general contractor can affect how your project is designed, planned, managed, and built.

Two common options are working with a design-build company or a general contractor. A design-build company handles both the design and construction of your remodel. A general contractor manages the construction portion of the project after the design and plans have been completed. If you are comparing design-build vs. a general contractor for your home remodel, understanding how each approach works can help you decide which option makes the most sense for your project, budget, and desired level of involvement.

What Is a Design-Build Remodeling Company?

A design-build company keeps the design and construction of your remodel under one roof. Instead of hiring separate professionals and coordinating them yourself, you work with one company throughout the entire project.

The designers and construction team work together from the beginning, allowing the design, budget, and construction plan to develop alongside one another. This can create a more organized process and eliminate communication gaps between the people designing your space and the people building it.

A design-build company typically coordinates:

• Design and space planning

• Architectural or engineering needs

• Material and finish selections

• Project pricing

• Permits

• Construction

• Trade partners

• Scheduling

• Project management

This does not mean the homeowner is left out of the process. The homeowner is involved from the very beginning, working closely with the designer to bring their vision to life, discussing their needs and priorities, choosing materials and finishes, and making important decisions throughout the entire remodeling process.

When working with a New Jersey design-build company, you are not responsible for coordinating all of the different professionals involved in your remodel. Instead, you have professional guidance throughout each stage of the process.

What Is the General Contractor Approach?

With a general contractor approach, the homeowner typically works with several professionals separately. A designer or architect creates the project plans, which the homeowner can then use to gather bids and select a general contractor to manage the construction. Depending on the scope of the remodel, additional specialists may also be needed.

The homeowner will be more involved in gathering plans, comparing bids, making material selections, and communicating between the different parties.

Each professional has a different role:

• Designer: Helps determine how the space will look and function. A designer may assist with layouts, cabinetry, countertops, tile, flooring, lighting, colors, and other selections.

• Architect: Creates detailed plans and drawings when a remodel involves layout changes, or additions. They determine if a wall can be removed, calculate the appropriate beam size, or make sure structural changes can be completed safely. An engineer may also be necessary. 

• General Contractor: Takes the completed plans and manages the construction. The contractor schedules trades, coordinates the jobsite, and oversees the work according to the plans.

This approach can work well for homeowners who already have completed plans or want more control over selecting and communicating with each professional involved in the project. It may also make sense for smaller projects that do not require an extensive design and planning process.

How Does Communication Differ?

Communication is one of the biggest differences between these two approaches.

With a general contractor approach, information may need to move between the homeowner, designer, architect, engineer, contractor, and trade partners. If a construction issue requires a design change, for example, several people may need to communicate before a decision can be made.

In many cases, the homeowner becomes the connection between those different professionals.

With design-build, the design and construction teams are part of the same company. If a question comes up during construction, the project team can work together to find a solution while keeping the homeowner informed.

Having one team can help reduce miscommunication and make it clearer who is responsible for each part of the project.

Is It Cheaper to Use a Design-Build Company or a General Contractor?

There is no simple answer because the cost depends heavily on the size, complexity, materials, and scope of the remodel.

A design-build company may have a higher upfront cost because its services typically include much more than construction. You are paying for design, planning, project management, construction coordination, and other services needed to take the project through completion.

One benefit is that the budget can be discussed throughout the design process. The construction team and designers can work together to determine if design decisions align with the homeowner’s budget before construction begins.

A general contractor may initially appear less expensive, but homeowners should consider the total project cost, not just the contractor’s price. Separate expenses could include:

• Designer fees

• Architectural plans

• Engineering

• Permit costs

• Material purchases

• Contractor costs

• Changes to plans

• Additional bids or consultations

If plans are created before a contractor provides accurate construction pricing, you could also discover that the design costs more to build than expected. That may require changing the design or increasing the budget.

When comparing the two approaches, make sure you understand exactly what is included in each price.

Which Remodeling Approach Is Right for You?

Neither approach is automatically right for every homeowner. The better choice depends on how much responsibility you want to take on and what your project requires. The size and complexity of your kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, basement remodel, or home addition can also influence which approach makes the most sense.

A design-build company may be a good fit if you:

• Want one company responsible for design and construction

• Want help making design and material selections

• Prefer having one main point of contact

• Want the project budget discussed upfront

• Are planning a larger or more complex remodel

A general contractor may be a good fit if you:

• Already have completed architectural or design plans

• Want to hire each professional separately

• Prefer to have more direct control over each part of the project

• Are comfortable coordinating communication between multiple parties

• Are completing a smaller or less complex project
  
  

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Either Option

Before deciding how to approach your remodel, ask each company or contractor questions about how their process works.

• Who will design my project?

• When will I receive accurate project pricing?

• Who will be my main point of contact?

• Who handles permits?

• Who coordinates the subcontractors and trade partners?

• How are design changes handled?

• What happens if the design exceeds my budget?

• Who orders and tracks materials?

• Who creates and manages the construction schedule?

• Who is responsible if a construction issue requires a design change?

The answers to these questions can help you understand not only what you are paying for, but also what responsibilities you will have as the homeowner.

How JMC Design Build Remodel Can Help

At JMC Design Build Remodel, we are a New Jersey design-build company servicing Morris County and surrounding areas. We make the remodeling process easier by keeping design and construction under one roof. Our team works with you to plan your project, create a design that fits your needs and budget, select materials, and manage construction.

With one team guiding your project, you do not have to coordinate separate designers, contractors, and trade partners on your own. We handle the details while keeping you informed and involved throughout your remodel.

If you are considering a home remodel in Northern New Jersey, contact JMC Design Build Remodel to schedule a consultation and learn more about our design-build process.