There’s no one way to design/build. The question is, which one is right for you? Here are 5 questions that will help you to narrow down your choices and align you and your project with the right firm.
1 Will a dedicated in-house design team be assigned to my project?
Team and project structures can vary greatly based on company size, specialty, and the number of active projects. It’s so important to understand who will be handling your project, what their contribution will be, and what’s expected of you as the client/homeowner.
Many design-build firms are best described as construction firms that offer a design service. Some with no full-time designers on staff hire outside designers/architects to provide floor plans and layouts. Most lean heavily on trade partners (like tile, plumbing, and cabinetry showrooms) to help make finish and fixture selections. With this approach, clients may be expected to independently visit showrooms to make selections with only the help of sales associates. Implementing a cohesive design through the selection of multiple fixtures and finishes across multiple showrooms becomes the responsibility of the client alone.
Simply put, Erika Jayne Design Build is design-focused. Each project team consists of 2 in-house designers, a dedicated lead, and an associate designer, who work with you from conceptual design to construction completion. Working from inspirational images, site visits, and in-depth analysis of your needs and desires, the design team will present a fully realized design with all product selections and samples.
2 Will a dedicated construction team be assigned to my project?
It’s important to know who is in your home and who is in charge.
Toward the end of the design process, we bring your construction team on board to walk through the existing space, get familiar with the plans, and (most importantly) meet you!
Once the project is underway, your construction team is responsible for the scheduling and performance of our subcontractors, procurement of tools, equipment, and materials, job site safety, weekly progress meetings, and the scheduling of county permit inspections. They will be the familiar faces and your go-to contacts in addition to the design team. Despite the change in phases, the design team also remains on board for important site visits, collaboration, and making sure the vision is coming to fruition just as we envisioned.
3 What makes your firm different?
Apart from being a woman-owned and operated firm, we are design-focused. During the design phase of your project, you can expect to receive a full-service design experience. After hours of deep diving into your aesthetic and functional needs, we prepare a comprehensive design tailored to you. We don't have a showroom of selections to choose from, we'd rather not limit our choices to the vendors that provide us with free displays. Instead, we search far and wide to gather and present the perfect selections to meet your project's aesthetic, functional, and budget goals.
When it comes to the build of your project, you aren't limited to working with the construction team on staff. Every home, family, and scope of work is unique so we partner with a construction team that is perfect for you and your project. Our project management approach allows you to interview your construction team and it allows us to competitively bid your project so that your project is paired with the right team for the right price. During construction, your design team works with your construction team to project manage and ensure everything is built as envisioned.
4 Are you a cabinetry/vanity vendor or will the cabinets come from an outside vendor/showroom you work with?
We are kitchen and bath experts. So, we know the ins and outs of cabinetry construction, design, and installation. We work directly with our trusted cabinet makers to design and procure the cabinetry for your project without the need for an outside vendor. We offer cabinet lines ranging from semi-custom to fully custom construction and will work with you to navigate those selections based on the needs of your individual project. The first design presentation will present door style and finish selections in the convenience of your home. While we do not work from a dedicated showroom with permanent displays, we enjoy the flexibility of bringing samples directly to you without the financial burden of a physical footprint--we'd rather extend those savings to our clients!
5 Remodeling can be stressful. How do you make the process easier?
The expectation is that remodeling is stressful but it doesn't have to be. We plan our processes with schedules that walk you through each step with clear explanations of what is happening and what comes next. We deliver a comprehensive design so that you don't have to select materials and finishes alone. We bring our skilled and trusted vendors, fabricators, and tradespeople to the table. Our project software keeps you informed of the progress and makes it easy to communicate with your team. Our job is to make the process as stress-free as possible.