Choosing Project Delivery: Traditional vs Design-Build

Which Process Will Work for You?

Are you a homeowner considering starting a project and are interested in learning more about Traditional vs Design-Build? Below you will find the steps for each process to help you determine which would fit your project best.

Traditional Project Delivery:

During the traditional project delivery, the homeowner must manage two separate contracts between the designer and contractor. This can make it difficult when issues arise, due to having to track everyone down for a meeting to resolve the issue.

Traditional Project Delivery Process

Select designer.
Start the design process.
Send drawings out for bids.
Select contractor.
Begin construction.

Select Designer: Typically, in this type of setup, the homeowner would meet with an architectural designer. 

Start Design Process: The homeowner begins to work with the architectural designer to produce design/construction plans for their project. 

Send Drawings out for Bids: The drawings received from the designer are then sent out to contractors. From there, the competing contractors complete what is called a bid. In a bid, each contractor will send the homeowner estimates based on the project. 

Select Contractor: After receiving bids, the homeowner then compares and then chooses the one they would like to work with. Sometimes the homeowner may only send their project to one contractor to bid.

Begin Construction: Now the project begins to come to life.

Design-Build Project Delivery:

During the design-build project delivery, the homeowner only needs to hold one single contract. This contract would be with the contractor who has a specialized team of staff. The team would consist of any type of architectural designer, engineer, estimator, and field crew. This team would work under one roof, which means when problems arise, they can be resolved quickly.

Design-Build Process:

Select the design-build contractor.
Attend pre-construction meetings .
Start the design process.
Begin construction.

During all four phases, all team members work together and keep each other up to date on any changes made during the design project, or any changes made or needed during the construction process. 

Selecting a Design-Build Contractor: This is the first step in the Design-Build process. You can interview Design-Build contractors in your area to figure out if they are qualified for your project. 

Pre-Construction Meeting: This next step is where you would meet with a member of the company to review all aspects of your project. This is where you can discuss your wants, needs, and a timeline for the project.

Start the Design Process: The architectural design step is when you are able to meet with a member of the design team to start bringing your project to life! Construction blueprints, design storyboards, and more will be presented and reviewed.

Begin Construction: The construction step is when your project begins to come to life. Throughout this stage, you will coordinate meetings with the architect and contractor.

Did you know that Lundberg Builders can deliver your project through whichever method you choose?

Lundberg Builders uses the turnkey approach which features a full design-build team dedicated to producing results that meet their clients’ needs. So, rather than managing multiple companies, Lundberg clients enjoy a unified design-build firm working together with single-source responsibility.

Lundberg has their own in-house architects and designers but is also very willing to work with the architect or designer of your choice.

Let’s get building!

This blog was written by Tyler Marold, UDPC. Residential Designer/Drafter for Lundberg Builders, Inc.

What is Universal Design – Living in Place? Why Does It Matter?

We’re on a mission to make your spaces more people-friendly than ever.

You in?

Technically speaking, Universal Design refers to the design of buildings, products, and environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability, or other factors. However, EVERYONE can benefit from Universal Design in their homes.

Why is Universal Design Important in Homes?

Families are sharing the responsibilities of home life.
Evolution of how responsibilities are carried out.
Average life expectancy continues to increase.
A typical family contains members of widely varying ages, sizes, and abilities.
We should not be forced to move because a house is not adaptable to family change.

What Does Living in Place with Universal Design Look Like?

Modernizing your home for Living in Place with Universal Design should not mean creating a clinical and cold atmosphere. Instead, it’s an inclusive approach for a better future. You can open your home to anyone and welcome them with attractive designs that WOW while gaining your own freedom to live the life you choose now, and well into the future.

Here are several of the modern conveniences that you can add to your home that make large impacts:

Whole-Home Modifications Include:

Accessible floating sink in a powder room, installed by Lundberg Builders and designed by 314 Design Studio.

Extended hand railings past the last step both at the top and bottom of the stairs. This allows you to hold your balance while getting on or off the last step.
Entrances and decks with flush thresholds and no steps accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.
A shorter rise on stairs is easier to climb and easier on your joints.
Enlarged landings create space for setting down bags and personal belongings while opening the door.
Hardware that can be used with your hand, elbow, or knee include lever doorknobs, push plates on doors, rocker light switches, loop handles, and touch latches.
Video doorbells allow for added security and convenience.
Interior and Exterior Motion-sense lighting
Open floor plan concepts minimize hallways and tight spaces while maximizing the line of sight.
Stacked Closets with knock-out floors can later become an elevator shaft.
Wider doorways and hallways.
Front-loading washers and dryers with front controls on raised platforms reduce bending.

Bathroom Modifications Include:

Multiple showerheads, a curbless shower entry, and a walk-in bath make this bathroom accessible for any visitor. Built by Lundberg Builders, Inc. and designed by 314 Design Studio.

Larger curbless showers.
Adjustable hand-held showerheads.
Smart shower controls
Temperature-balanced valves
Walk-In tubs
Non-slip flooring
Taller toilets
Extra clearance around toilets and fixtures
Knee space under vanities and sinks
Extra blocking in walls for future grab bars (Grab bars can also double as towel bars).
Voice-lighted mirrors
Pocket doors.

Kitchen Modifications Include:

Kitchen, built by Lundberg Builders, Inc., with pull-out drawers and easy to reach appliances.

Touchless and single lever faucets make it easier to adjust water temperature and operate with a single hand or elbow.
Smart appliances
Hands-free voice-activated faucets
Larger cabinet pulls
Cabinets with adjustable and pull-down shelves, along with full-extension pull-out shelves and doors
Front or side controls on stoves allow for easy reach and lessen the risk of reaching over hot burners.
Wall ovens create knee space underneath and make transferring dishes from the oven to counter easier without lifting, reaching, or bending.
Dishwashers can be raised on platforms to reduce bending.
Multi-level kitchen countertops with open space underneath allow the cook to work while seated or for taller people to work without bending.
Induction cooktops and stoves offer a safer way to cook than electric or gas. They do not emit gas into the air, and they won’t catch objects, like dishcloths, on fire.
Drawer microwaves allow access without having to reach up above the counter or range like traditional microwaves.
A side-by-side refrigerator with pull-out shelves makes items easy to reach. An under-counter or drawer-type refrigerator can create access to taller items.

Where Should You Start to Create Your Space with Universal Design?

Lundberg Builders is more than a full-service residential contractor. We are your partner for creating the home of your dreams and your future. Our goal is to help you live in your home as long as possible. Our designers plan for both looks and practical needs. We want to ensure that your house looks amazing and that it will serve your needs well into the future. Your Universal Design starts with our Home Audit Checklist. This assessment gives us the opportunity to understand your specific needs and desires. Whether it’s new construction, a complete renovation, or remodeling a few rooms. The checklist helps to empower our design team to create a space that’s what you want today and what you need in the foreseeable future.

Lundberg Builders, Inc. and 314 Design Studio, LLC are your home design and renovation partners. Working together to create your dream space for now and the future.

This blog was written by Tyler Marold, UDPC. Residential Designer/Drafter for Lundberg Builders, Inc.

COASTAL FIRST FLOOR REMODEL

Previous clients of ours were looking to remodel their 2nd home, a Wye Riverfront property in Queenstown, Maryland. They had owned the home for 16 years, and as they were looking toward retirement and living there full time, they wanted to “spruce it up a bit”.

As the homeowners began to evaluate the current state of their home, they recognized that while the kitchen had functioned perfectly well for many years, it had become outdated and didn’t reflect their current style. After talking with neighbors and flipping through home magazines for inspiration, they decided to call in the experts: Reithlingshoefer Design Studio (RDS) for the architectural and interior design; 314 Design Studio as the kitchen and bath designer, with Lundberg Builders leading the custom construction.

The sprucing up that was originally planned ultimately became a much larger whole first floor remodel project after RDS recommended removing a dividing wall from the kitchen to open up the floor plan and to expand and re-orient the dining and living spaces to better support large gatherings on the first floor with the kitchen as the driving force and central hub for the homeowners love of entertaining.

BEFORE PHOTO: Showing wall that was chosen for removal to open up the floor plan to move the dining area to the main living space — BEFORE PHOTO: Showing kitchen and living space dividing wall that was removed to open up the floor plan and create more space for a formal dining area in the main living space

AFTER PHOTO: Showing wall removed and open floor plan concept

AFTER PHOTO: Showing new dining area — AFTER PHOTO: Showing new formal dining area to replace eat-in kitchen

In addition to the demolition of the original fireplace, which was situated in the corner of the living room, a new fireplace was designed and built along with custom bookshelves and cabinets for storage.

BEFORE: The original fireplace was awkwardly placed in the corner of the room.

AFTER: Custom designed fireplace centered in the living room, flanked symmetrically by custom built bookcases and cabinetry.

The team at 314 Design Studio worked closely and collaboratively with RDS and the client to help make selections on the countertops, custom island, cabinetry, range hood, appliances, lighting, accents and finishes, and Lundberg Builder kept the final construction moving forward with careful construction management and meticulous custom craftsmanship.

The gorgeous cobalt custom built multi-level island was designed to create a focal point, with designated prep area, eating and entertaining space. The custom range hood adds modern drama to the overarching blue, white and brass maritime look and feel of the design.

Hodgdon_201118_9516_gotts kitchen — AFTER PHOTO – KITCHEN

The window above the sink is new, which opens up to the screened porch, and now allows a beautiful view while cleaning up, as well as more natural light into the kitchen. Plato custom cabinetry is taken ceiling height to draw the eye up.

VIEW INTO SCREENED PORCH FROM NEW KITCHEN WINDOW — AFTER: View into screened porch from new interior kitchen window

One of the client’s favorite new spaces is the sitting area
that was created in the old eat in kitchen area. New swivel chairs, a
large ottoman on casters and good lighting provide a
comfortable area to take in the gorgeous view while enjoying a
cup of coffee and the morning paper.

Hodgdon_201118_9530_gotts sitting area — AFTER PHOTO – SITTING AREA FOR MORNING COFFEE, A FAVORITE SPACE FOR THE HOMEOWNERS

Beyond the kitchen is a combined mudroom and laundry room, replete with a small desk area, convenient for making shopping lists, replying to emails, paying bills, or writing thank you notes.

What project are you dreaming about that would help you live life to the fullest and better meet your lifestyle needs? We’d love to hear from you. Remodeling is best approached with a team of professionals, and most importantly, designers, architects and the custom craftsman that can honor your vision and bring it to life. Call us at 410-643-3334 and tell us about it!

Cabinetry and custom kitchen hood: Plato Custom Cabinetry via 314 Design Studio

Countertops: In Home Stone – quartz composite

Refrigerator – separate unit subzero and freezer

Flooring– Tuckahoe Hardwoods -European white oak – ¾ inch, sanded finished engineered hardwood

Farmhouse Sink and Faucet – Kohler

The Home Improvement Process

Jesse Goodroe, Lundberg Builders’ Project Consultant

Given we are all staying home a lot more these days, you may have decided it’s time to make some home improvements. Maybe you want to expand or open up your living space, create a more functional kitchen or update a bathroom, build a dedicated office, or add a workshop, guest house or outdoor space. Whatever your project, you will likely need assistance from a professional on the design and construction. But where to start? Below we outline our system in working with a client to familiarize you with the process, help you begin to plan, and to highlight some important tips on how to ensure success: on time, on budget and on goal with the project you had imagined.

The first step is to call and schedule an appointment with us to tell us about your project. Typically clients have some general ideas in mind as to style or selections that will help us understand your overall vision for the project and help us to guide you to achieve it.

After our initial meeting, we will develop a rough budget for the project. Once approved, we move to our construction agreement.

Lundberg Builders’ screened in porch for a client on the Eastern Shore

If the project requires drawings, Lundberg Builder’s in-house designer will visit your home to take on-site measurements ‘, and then draft the design. Once the drawings are approved, we will develop a detailed 23 division estimate.

Once the final estimate is approved, the permitting process begins, if required. Permitting typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete and can take longer in certain circumstances. This is why we advise to get your project started as early as possible. In other words, if you are looking forward to enjoying a new porch or deck in the spring, it’s time to get started today!

Lundberg Builders’ new deck and railing for a client on the Eastern Shore

Our supervisor will then provide a tentative schedule for all construction divisions. He will handle all of the scheduling of contractors, ordering of the materials and every other aspect of project management. This makes the process smooth and consistent for you to have one main point of contact with us no matter what subcontractor is onsite working.

At all phases you can expect a very transparent and collaborative process. You can expect weekly on-site meetings with our supervisor for job progress reports, making selections, and addressing any changes or unforeseen issues. We have a wealth of community-based vendors we can suggest to help you source the right materials. For any kitchen and bath design needs, we suggest working with our award-winning affiliate company, 314 Design Studio.

314 Design Studio and Lundberg Builders collaborated on this stunning kitchen remodel for a client on the Eastern Shore

The supervisor will tightly manage the timeline of when materials should be ordered for on-time delivery for each phase of the construction. This is important for you to keep in mind as selection choices ideally should be made in a prompt fashion. As many of the selections that can be made in advance, the better and more efficiently a project will be completed. Selections like cabinets, for instance, have to be custom built, requiring 4-10 weeks for delivery.

Once your project has been completed, we will have a final review to ensure your complete satisfaction. We want you to know that our services and relationship with you extend beyond the completion of any single project. We hope to continue our relationship as part of the Lundberg family of happy customers. We’re here for you should any needs arise – from handyman work to remodels to designing and building your next custom home, we sincerely look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your next dream home project.