Hawthorn proudly provides accurate initial estimates and continuously collaborates with clients throughout the project. This caring, empathetic, transparent communication process takes place through weekly, sometimes daily, client updates. This transparent process of "design, budget, design, budget, design, budget, then build" is the secret to staying aligned on a realistic plan and budget. In fact, it allows Hawthorn to stay within 1% of budget estimates without clients feeling like they sacrificed anything.

High collaboration

for high-performance dream homes

Hawthorn

Owner

It starts with you and ends with you. Every step of the way, we align ourselves with your vision for your dream house.

Architect & Designer

Whether you have your own architect or designer, or want to use our trusted network, we create an integrated team approach that saves you time and money, and delivers the highest quality home building experience possible.

Build

Our new custom homes and renovation projects are constructed with cutting edge materials and built to the highest industry standards, ensuring lasting durability and reliability.

Maintain Your Home

Our Home Care subscription maintenance services provide a streamlined approach to home upkeep with a single point of contact.

Hawthorn as Your Design-Build Guide

A collaborative team for better ownership, vision and communication.

Real Estate Services
 

Sell your home and find new land easily with Hawthorn's real estate services

Collaborative Budgeting Process

Design
Budget
Budget
Design

Introduction to

Design Build Homes

To turn your home from a dream into a reality starts with a plan. To turn that plan into a finished home demands you choose a project delivery method. Design build is a construction approach in which the homeowner enlists unified entity (the design build team) to handle the project from start to finish.


In design build construction, the architect, engineers, and general contractor actively collaborate as a team to design and build a functional structure that suits the homeowner's desired aesthetic and budget. For example, Hawthorn Builders stays within 1% of budget estimates. This streamlines the process—saving money and reducing changes and schedule delays.


This design build definition contrasts with the traditional approach, which typically involves the homeowner seeking bids. This is often called a "design-bid-build" project delivery method. This process is a less seamless approach with designers and general contractors not always on the same page and can lead to issues with changes to the plan and further concerns when rebidding occurs.

Exploring Design Build's

Legacy of Masterful Building

Ironically, design build is sometimes referred to as an “alternative method” or “alternative delivery" project, although from a historical perspective the process predates the so-called traditional approach by about four thousand years.


Many large and famous structures from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Renaissance era were designed and built using this collaborative process. A "master builder" would manage the design, obtain building materials, supervise craftsmen, and take full responsibility for controlling the project. Architects who did not actually execute the work on their projects were often viewed suspiciously by owners and builders.


One classic example of design build construction is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy (1420). The famous dome was designed by architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who engineered and oversaw its innovative construction himself.


By comparison, the so-called traditional method did not gain popularity until about 150 years ago, during the Industrial Revolution. A flood of new technologies, like steam and steel, often demanded specialized engineers. Separationists gained popularity. Soon, unions and trade associations formed—including the ASCE and AIA—enabling specialists to regulate trades and raise prices.


In today's building & construction market, even luxury homes seldom need the technology expertise of separate specialists that gave rise to the design-bid-build movement. Yet the traditional approach continues to add complexity and cost to many homeowners' building design construction projects.

Design Build

vs. Design-Bid-Build

One of the first and most important decisions you can make when planning construction is determining the best project delivery method for building your ideal home  or renovation project within your budget. 

By consolidating the responsibility for project success under one collaborative entity, design build saves considerable time, eliminates budget surprises and saves money.

Benefits of

Design Build for Luxury Homes

Traditional project delivery has been the most common method for generations. However, according to the DBAI's latest Design-Build Utilization Report, the design build method is becoming more popular, with about half of owners (47%) planning to use it in the coming years. 


Design build construction offers luxury homeowners many advantages over the design bid build process. The design build model has long been considered the more sensible option for delivering a customized project. Working together with builders, architects, or designers can closely match the ideals of the homeowner better than an off-the-shelf design could do. Comparing design bid build vs. design build, design build wins when the focus is on achieving unique aesthetics or particular performance specifications. This is the very nature of luxury home plans. 

Key Advantages of Design Build

What is the

Design Build Process?

The design build model gives the homeowner the advantage of working with collaborative team throughout the design and construction of a project. Here is a step-by-step overview of the design build process. 

Selecting Your

Design Build Team

It's best to base your selection of a design builder on the team's qualifications and experience—especially in designing the type of project similar to yours—rather than simply seeking the lowest bid. 


In the case of a progressive design-build or design-assist approach, you choose the design-builder before any planning or design. Alternatively, you can work with an architect and engineer first, then select a design-builder to complete the project. 


Whomever you consider, ensure they have experience working on similar projects to the home you want designed, and check references.

Bringing it all together

to design your dream project

The hallmark of a well executed design build project is continuous collaboration between the design and construction team at every step of the process. 


If you're planning on building a luxury home or renovation project, consider the advantages design build can offer you. Besides the simplicity of engaging with us first—and us assembling your team—your dream home can be completed cost-effectively, more quickly, and without costly surprises  that often come from the traditional design-bid-build process.

Contact Hawthorn Builders to

learn how easily we can turn your dream into a home

DESIGN BUILD
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