You know that you want to work with a landscape architecture firm. But you aren’t entirely clear about the difference between a design firm and a design-build firm. Which would be right for your project?
If you are in the early stages of planning a landscaping project, this question is bound to come up. And the short answer is that both types of firms employ landscape architects. The key difference between them is in the process. That will affect your experience of the project from design through the construction of your landscape.
What makes landscape design-build beneficial to the client is that it is a seamless approach. We are responsible for every aspect of the project.
Howard Cohen, Professional Landscape Architect
Advantages and Disadvantages
A design-build firm combines the services of both a landscape architecture firm and a landscape construction firm. There are efficiencies built into this approach to landscape architecture that can be advantageous to the client. Chief among those advantages is that the design and the budget are developed in tandem. When the design is finished, you have an accurate cost estimate for constructing it.
Alternatively, if you hire a landscape architect for design services only, you must enter into a “design-bid-build” process. In this model, the homeowner will seek multiple estimates from contractors in hopes of striking the best deal. A potential disadvantage here is that the merit of an individual contractor’s bid depends entirely on how well they read and understand the design plans.
Creative Partnership & Quality Control
The design-build approach to landscape architecture starts with a partnership between the client and the landscape architect. The architect is a member of the same team that will construct the design that you create together.
All team members work together for a shared purpose under a shared set of standards from day one until project completion. High-level communication and quality control are built-in. This is a significant benefit to the client—and there are many more benefits to consider. Such as:
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1 Value Engineering
Another benefit to the homeowner is creative value engineering ideas. For example, when the budget is near the limit, design-build landscape architects know where to find flexibility in the design. By modifying methods or materials, they may accomplish parts of the construction less expensively without having to go through a major redesign. They are able to do that because they routinely communicate with the construction department and understand the costs involved.
A design-build landscape architecture firm has that flexibility built into it. We can help our clients get very close to their desired outcome and maintain reasonable control of the budget in the process.
2 Efficiency Maximizes Budget Dollars
A design-only landscape architecture firm must produce many pages of intricately drawn construction details (called sections) to make sure the selected builder will have a thorough explanation of how a design is intended to be built. Our construction crews don’t need as many detailed sections because they work with the same group of landscape architects every day. Our landscape architects are in the field checking with crews at least once a week. The benefit to the client: Budget dollars saved from reduced need for construction documentation can be allocated elsewhere in the project.
3 Seamless Design to Construction Smoothes Out the Bumps
With multiple parties involved, there is an increased possibility of miscommunication during construction. If not addressed promptly, these “hiccups” may result in delays, unforeseen costs, or contention.
Imagine that a construction contractor encounters an issue on the job site and must make a decision before continuing. The contractor calls the client and asks them what they want to do. The worried client calls the landscape architect. The architect visits the site and checks the design plan. It turns out that the contractor misread the plan… Get the idea? A lot of steps (and time) are required.
In a design-build project, communication between construction and design is ongoing. If there is a mistake, we own it because we promised the client.
The construction management component is built into the Surrounds process. It’s not an add-on.
Barry Schneider, President, Surrounds Landscape Architecture & Construction
4 Direct Sourcing: Best Materials at Best Price
A design-only landscape architecture firm may specify a particular tree or type of stone in their design only to find out weeks later that these materials are unavailable—or that the price has changed significantly.
A design-build firm will characteristically be in touch with the current costs of plant stock and construction materials because their landscape architects and job managers order plants and construction materials every week. They know what materials work best, what is available from their vendors, and when there is excess stock that may result in discounts to be passed on to the client.
Why Don’t More Landscape Architecture Firms Offer Design Build?
That’s a mystery. Although the benefits are clear, only a few landscape architecture firms offer the design-build approach. Surrounds is both a landscape architecture firm and a landscape construction firm. We build what we design. Our architects know construction and our construction crews understand design. Your project benefits from the formal training and a broader range of capabilities of a professional landscape architect who will design and oversee the construction of your project.
If you are still thinking about investing in a landscape design project, our eBook: Expert Guide to Planning the Landscape Design of Your Dreams, is full of valuable information to help you develop your ideas. Or, if you are ready schedule a consultation call with one of our landscape architects.