“Finding a design-build firm that can be a continual resource for you is not only a benefit, it means that you only need to do the hard work of research once.”
Now that you’ve made the enormous decision to remodel – and you know why you want to – choosing your design-build partner is the next step. Although finding your why is one of the most important initial steps within a remodeling project, partnering with the right design-build firm is a close second. This is the team that you will build a relationship with over the course of several months. They will be in your most personal spaces and privy to your daily lives, so it’s important to trust them as individuals and as professionals.
The Mark of a Good Design-Build Firm
It doesn’t have to be difficult to find the right design-build remodeling firm to work with, but there are telltale signs that can help you find one you can trust.
Talk to Others Who Have Remodeled
We always advocate the use of personal referrals, because a family member or friend can tell you every detail of their experience. You’ll still need to decide if the design-build firm is the right fit for you, but knowing someone who loves their work can put other anxieties to rest. Houzz is also a great place to search for a contractor, giving you better information than a generic internet search. Trade partners, client reviews, and a remodeling community are at your fingertips on Houzz. Lastly, home shows and tours are a great opportunity for home remodelers to show off their best work, and by going to some, you can find styles you like and work you appreciate.
An Established Presence
No qualified design-build firm is a one-person team. An established presence means that there is an office you can visit, a team of professionals who will be part of your remodeling project, and ties to the community. The firm should have a strong internet presence that allows you to do some initial vetting – a website featuring photos of completed projects, a strong social media presence, and detailed information about how their process works. You should easily be able to verify the design-build firm’s credentials as well, along with trade memberships that demonstrate they are serious about their work in the industry.
A Good Design-Build Firm Advocates for their Clients
A professional design-build firm, like any other business, wants to expand their client base. Yet, in the design-build industry ourselves, we have turned down projects. Why would any firm send money walking by referring a lucrative project to someone else? It’s a matter of integrity. If the design-build firm cannot meet your needs or lacks expertise in something you need, they should be honest in telling you so and be happy to refer you to a colleague who better matches your needs. A respectable design-build firm will always advocate for you and the remodel you’re dreaming of – even if that means telling you no, referring you to someone else, or honestly assessing what you want done and telling you it’s not feasible for safety or structural reasons.
You Can Find Honest Feedback about their Work
Referrals from people you know are more trusted, but a history of reviews and feedback from clients can be a good indication about whether the design-build firm is a good fit for you. When you read through the reviews of the firm, you will begin to see patterns emerge. Maybe they do great work but they’re always a bit over budget, or maybe they stick to the budget but take longer to complete the project than expected. Maybe they do great work but don’t treat your home and living space with the respect you expect. Reviews can help you determine the compatibility of the firm with you and your lifestyle.
Awards and Industry Honors
Another way you can find a design-build firm is through the awards and accolades they’ve received. There are a variety of industry awards for design-build firms, both local and national. As you’re vetting potential firms, you should easily be able to find any awards, media interviews, and community involvement the firm might have.
First Impressions Matter
There is something to be said for first impressions. If you don’t get positive vibes from every interaction with a design-build firm, whether from perusing their website or a phone call with someone at the firm, they shouldn’t be on your list of design-build firms to consider. Whether you’re making drastic changes to your whole home or simply doing a single-space makeover, it comes to drastic changes to your home, you want to be picky. A home remodel is a very personal project to trust another with and narrowing the talent pool is how you will find the right partner for you.
We encourage you to take your time choosing a design-build firm. As always, we are here to help you dream big! Get in touch!
We absolutely love our new primary bedroom sanctuary and spa-like bathroom. We were quite pleased with the service Nip Tuck provided, from our first contact to completion. April and her team were professional, on time, and reliable. Everyone we worked with at Nip Tuck exceeded our expectations. The entire process was truly a positive and rewarding experience.
We had weekly progress meetings to discuss any schedule changes which there were none. Attention to detail and communication was truly outstanding. They were also great about making suggestions that added to the beauty and functionality of the Master bath. Our sincere appreciation to everyone that worked on our Master suite project. We will enjoy it for many years!
- Carol Nadalin
