General Contractor and Design-Build Contractor: What's The Difference?

The word “contractor” is often used to describe anyone who drives a pickup truck with tools in the back. Framers, drywallers, electricians, concrete workers, are all sometimes referred to by the generic title of “contractor.” And while all of these companies may do some of the work on a project, not ever contractor is prepared to help with the design, coordination, and delivery of a new home or an extensive remodel.

When it's time to start planning a custom home, it can be hard to know who you should call. What type of contractor is right for your project? Here's what you should know.

What is the difference between a General Contractor and Design-Build Contractor?

General Contractors focus primarily on the management and execution of construction projects, while Design-Build Contractors work closely with clients from the design concept through to handing over the keys. The two terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a company that works directly with homeowners, but there are some differences in the process and experience of working with a general contractor vs. a design-build contractor. What are the main differences between these two types of companies? Let's take a look.

General Contractor

A general contractor is a firm or company that manages the estimating, scheduling, and production of a new home construction project. These companies are also commonly known as construction contractors, home builders, or remodelers.

To build a custom home, you will need the help of specialty contractors like framers, plumbers, electricians, drywallers, painters, tile and flooring installers, and HVAC technicians. A general contractor may or may not have employees that physically complete any of the work, but will coordinate and contract with the necessary companies, known as subcontractors, to execute each part of the process.

For many general contractors to build a custom home, they will require you to have a home design: complete set of blueprints that is ready for construction. Homeowners may choose from a selection of stock home plans, or may work with a home designer or architect to put together a plan that looks and feels like their dream home.

But what if you don't have a design yet, or you can't find a plan that fits your lot and your vision? That's where the design-build contractor comes in.

Design-Build Contractor

A design-build contractor is a general contractor that manages the design as well as the estimating, scheduling, and production of a custom home. Unlike other general contractors, a design-build contractor does not need a complete set of plans in order to start a project. Instead, they will have an in-house team with design expertise, capable of guiding their clients through the entire process of conceptualizing, scoping, and planning their custom home.

Design-build contractors provide an end-to-end custom home building experience that is a great fit for custom homes and luxury homes.

About ReNew Design + Build

As a licensed general contractor, ReNew Design + Build is able to plan and provide project management to all of these different elements to ensure original design intent is achieved. We utilize our own carpenters as well as vetted subcontractors where most efficient.

What sets ReNew Design + Build apart from other general contractors is that we are also a design-build firm. We don’t just receive a build plan from a customer and execute it, we start at the very beginning. Our team sits down with the client to brainstorm, discuss options, and put together a comprehensive plan that includes every finished detail before we even start work.

If you are dreaming of a project that requires the expertise of a design-build firm, reach out to ReNew Design + Build. We would be happy to chat and see if we are a good fit for you and your project; if we’re not, we want to make sure you find the right contractor for you!