Design-build vs separate contractors for a remodel
Hiring a separate architect, designer, and contractor leaves you trying to figure out how much project coordination will fall on your own shoulders. Conversely, choosing a single firm can result in feeling the finished remodel was way overpriced for what you actually received.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Comparing upfront costs between different models
- 2Talking to people who have completed similar remodels
- 3Attempting to estimate coordination effort and price predictability independently
- 4Paying an architect to create plans and having multiple general contractors bid competitively
- 5Handling minor DIY tasks like installing shelving or cubbies to cut labor expenses
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“For those of you who’ve done a bigger remodel, how did you decide between design-build and managing a contractor, architect, and designer? That’s basically where I’m at right now with our kitchen.”source ↗
“If I hire a separate contractor, architect, and designer, I’m trying to figure out how much coordinating I’d end up doing myself.”source ↗
“I’m in the process of looking into finishing my basement also….that price seems pretty high considering you already have plumbing there and you aren’t doing a floor, and there’s nothing structural you’re doing”source ↗
“Hoping for perspective. I have a 1000 sq ft basement that I'd like to finish in a HCOL area.”source ↗
“My max budget is $150k, and I'd like to keep it more like $100-125k.”source ↗
“I agree- my husband and I were lucky enough to pay cash for it all and had the money, but he chose the firm/style etc and at the end of the day I think it was WAY over priced for what we got- but he is happy so I just try to forget we spent that.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 56How do I know if I can DIY a repair or need a pro?
- 17Should I trust the contractor who disagrees with everyone else?
- 3What order do I hire contractors for roof and siding repairs?
- 3How to handle a struggling contract-to-hire employee who isn't working out
- 6Custom ERP development vs customizing an existing platform
- 10Is newly finished contractor work actually acceptable?