Best Professional for Your Home Remodel: Architect, Design/Build Company, or General Contractor?
Choosing the right expert for your home remodel can feel more technical than picking the right wine for your Bon Appétit recipe. You've ditched the saggy sofa and outdated dinette and you’re ready for those splashy new digs that’ll make your friends want to stay over past 7 pm. Now the big question is: which pro will bring your vision to life and match your unique taste? With so much to be done, hiring the right person is crucial to creating a home you'll enjoy for years to come.
The choices include architects, design/build firms, and general contractors (GCs). Understanding the differences between them, the pros and cons of each, and how those can impact your project can mean the difference between a stress-free or a stress-filled remodel.
So let’s dig in and take a closer look at each of these home remodel miracle workers.
Architects
Architects specialize in designing buildings and spaces, creating detailed plans for aesthetics, layout, materials, and systems. They often oversee construction to ensure it follows the design and can recommend trusted partners for the actual work. They are highly trained, and that shows in their pricing.
Pros:
Customization to the max: Architects deliver highly customized designs tailored to your specific needs and preferences. "Boilerplate" and "status quo" aren't in their vocabulary. Their goal is to make every project unique based on the site, the project constraints, and the client.
Cons:
High Costs: Architect quotes can come in with jaw-dropping prices, thanks to their hefty experience, expertise, and the meticulous work they put in to get an architecture degree and enough professional experience to become licensed.
Construction Services are not included: Architects normally don’t handle construction in-house; you'll need to hire a separate contractor to build it all. Some architecture firms will have preferred construction partners, and may even offer to manage them, but you will wind up paying for both the construction and the markup for their management.
The telephone game: Whenever you have multiple parties working on a project, you risk a chance for miscommunication. This can happen if the architect's vision and the contractor's execution of work aren’t well-coordinated. So choose your architect wisely, ask about who will do the actual building and check out their work as well, and be willing to pay top-dollar to achieve those top-of-the-line home renovation results.
Best for:
New Construction. If you’re breaking ground on the perfect property with a million-dollar view and aiming for a bespoke home, an architect’s experience and expertise is well worth the investment. They'll meticulously design the floor plan, spatial flow, and fenestration (window & door placement), plus handle all the nitty-gritty details like walls, plumbing, and electrical systems, ensuring your dream home is built to perfection.
General Contractors
A General Contractor is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to building or renovating homes. They manage the construction phase of a project, coordinating and overseeing subcontractors, procuring materials, and ensuring the project is built according to the plans. What they don’t normally offer are any design services. They’ve typically seen it all, so their experience in the construction field is their main asset to a remodel.
Pros:
Project Management: General contractors are skilled in managing the construction process, handling logistics, and ensuring timely completion.
Subcontractor Network: They often have a huge list of contacts and relationships with reliable subcontractors.
Cons:
Nope on Design Services: There’s a reason you hear the term ‘contractor-grade finishes’ to describe lower-end starter homes. GCs are generally going to build from simpler plans and buy finishes off the shelf at big box stores. They want to get the job done, so don’t expect GCs to pause your project to make sure to get that perfect patterned tile for your kitchen backsplash or exotic hardwood for your floating shelves.
Communication Challenges: Making a team of new people jell together is downright hard. So there might be communication gaps between the architect/designer and contractors that can lead issues during construction. If you choose a GC, make sure to try and plan everything when it comes to the aesthetics and design and check that all of your materials arrive in the finishes you expected to avoid any surprises that could increase costs or cause delays.
Variable Quality: The quality of work can vary depending on the contractor's experience and the subcontractors they hire. There are amazing, and incredibly skilled GCs out there with networks of craftspeople, and there are GCs who emphasize speed over quality.
Best for:
If you’re working on a very simple project or you’re able to draw up plans and specify all of the finishes and materials yourself, a GC can be a cost-effective route to go.
Design/Build Companies
It’s increasingly common to see amazing work by companies who label themselves ‘design & build.’ A design/build firm provides both design and construction services, controlling the process and managing the project from initial concept through complete construction with a single point of responsibility and contact.
Pros:
Streamlined Process: With one firm handling both design and construction, the process can be more efficient.
Single Point of Contact: Easier communication and fewer chances for misunderstandings because you have a dedicated point of contact throughout the project.
Cons:
Specialized Services: Design/Build firms tend to specialize in a narrower segment of the market compared to general Architecture firms and General Contractors. For instance, at Crest & Key, we focus on home remodels with a focus on high-end finishes and custom cabinetry, especially for kitchens, entertaining spaces, and bathrooms. We don’t build houses. We craft dream homes, room by room.
Best for:
A design/build firm like Crest & Key is a great option for clients seeking a design partner who will manage the entire remodel from vision to completion.
Why choose a Design/Build firm?
In summary, opt for a Design/Build Firm for a hassle-free remodel experience. Why juggle multiple players when design and construction can be seamlessly integrated under one roof? With streamlined communication and a cohesive vision, you’ll avoid crossed wires and ensure your remodel truly shines.
Interested in a remodel project?
Crest & Key Remodel offers full design & build services in Oregon and Washington, whether you’re refreshing one room or remodeling a whole home. Our expert staff can help bring your vision to life with carefully sourced materials and custom finishes to suit your style.