What is a design-builder?
In short, a design-build firm assists you in all areas of the construction process. They are responsible for the design process and then they construct the project for you. This delivery has the ability to save time and money on most any project.

What is a general contractor (GC) and how does it differ from a design-builder (DB)?
As your general contractor, we would be responsible for contruction only, whereas in the design-builder role, we are also responsible for design. With a GC, the client is responsible for hiring design professionals and contracting separately with them. If you chose this route for delivery of your project, you might have several contracts for multiple parts of your project. We encourage design-build projects because the GC-route can be more costly as well as time-consuming for the client.

What is the average cost per square foot for commercial buildings?
With every project, several factors can cause the price per square foot to go up or down from any regional average for construction. With that being said, we would love to sit down and discuss some of these factors and provide a general average for your planning purposes. Please contact us if you have questions.

Is it more cost conscience to build a two-story building or a one-story building?
Like the price per square foot, this can fluctuate depending on several issues. For example, your site may not have desirable soils and extending the footprint of the building on one level could be costly. Therefore, in this case, multistory would be a good option. There are many factors that help us decide whether to go vertical or horizontal. Give us a call or email to discuss your project specifics.

What should I look for in a design-builder or general contractor?
Experience is the main factor in our opinion. Your building project will probably be the most expensive project you will encounter for your organization, so it would make sense to verify the experience of the company you hire. Choosing someone with experience is more important than choosing a design-builder or general contractor, per se.

Please contact us if you have other questions.