What Is Design-Build?
Design-build, formally known in the industry as Integrated Design Process (IDP), is a project delivery model where one company handles both design and construction. The same team that sketches your floor plan is the team that will frame it. The cost estimator is involved during design, not after.
This is different from the traditional approach where you hire an architect independently, pay for drawings, then take those drawings to a builder for pricing. In the traditional model, the architect and builder operate separately. You manage the relationship between them.
The core advantage of the integrated model is timing. You learn whether your project is financially and structurally feasible before you commit significant money to drawings. Design decisions are informed by real construction costs and engineering realities from day one.
The Problem the Integrated Process Solves
In the traditional model, your architect designs without direct input from the person who will build it. They may not know what your specific site conditions will add to foundation costs, or how Step Code compliance needs to be integrated into the wall assembly, or what the structural implications of a specific roof design are under local load requirements.
You find all of this out when the builder prices the finished drawings.
Common outcomes of the traditional approach:
- You spend significant money on architectural drawings before knowing the real construction cost
- The builder's quote comes back significantly over your budget
- Redesign means additional architect fees, re-engineering, and months of delay
- Change orders accumulate during construction because the builder is interpreting someone else's drawings
- Step Code compliance gets addressed reactively instead of being designed in from the start
How the integrated process prevents this:
- Cost feedback happens in real time during design, not as a surprise at the end
- Engineering feasibility is confirmed at the concept stage, before detailed drawings begin
- The builder's knowledge of materials, labour, and site conditions shapes the design from the first sketch
- Step Code compliance is part of the design process, not an afterthought
- Change orders drop significantly when the same team designs and builds
How Our Integrated Design Process Works
Step 1: Qualification Call
15-minute conversation about your lot, budget range, and vision. We determine if the project is a fit and whether the integrated model or a general contracting arrangement makes more sense for your situation.
Step 2: Discovery Call
A 2-hour in-depth conversation. We walk through your lot details, scope, timing, priorities, lifestyle requirements, and early budget signals. By the end of the discovery call, both sides have enough information to decide whether to move into a pre-construction agreement.
Step 3: Pre-Construction Agreement
Design and planning begin. This is where real cost and engineering feasibility are established:
- Site assessment and feasibility review
- Floor plans, elevations, material selections
- Budget validation at every design decision point
- Structural engineering for local load requirements
- Energy modelling for Step Code compliance
- Variance, rezoning, and development permits through City of Revelstoke when required
Step 4: Budget Approval
Full budget presentation. You review, we adjust if needed. Construction agreement signed with a clear, validated scope.
Step 5: Construction
The team that designed your home builds it. One point of contact. Real-time tracking through JobTread. Building permits are pulled at this stage, once the budget is approved. Typical construction timeline runs 9 to 12 months, on top of 6 to 9 months of design and 6 to 8 weeks for building permit review. Exterior work is planned into the April-to-October window, with winter work possible but not optimal.
Step 6: Handover
Complete project book with all permits, warranties, drawings, and specifications. New home construction is covered by a 2-5-10 year home warranty carried through a licensed provider under the BC Housing's Licensing and Consumer Services program.
When Is the Integrated Model the Right Choice?
The integrated process works best when:
- You are starting from scratch with no existing plans
- Your site has complexity (slope, difficult access, unusual soil conditions)
- You are building from out of town and need one team managing everything
- You want confirmed costs early, before committing to a full set of drawings
- Your timeline is tight and you need overlapping design and construction phases
A general contractor may be better if:
- You already have completed, stamped architectural drawings
- You have a specific architect you want to continue working with
- You have built before and are comfortable managing the architect-builder relationship
- Your project is on a flat, serviced lot with straightforward conditions
We operate both ways. If you have existing plans, our general contracting service handles that.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Neither model is inherently better. The right choice depends on where you are in the process and how much complexity your project carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the integrated process cost more than hiring an architect and builder separately?
The design cost exists either way. What the integrated model typically reduces is change orders. Industry data shows design-build projects have fewer change orders than traditionally delivered projects.
How much does the design phase cost?
The pre-construction agreement covers project feasibility, design, preliminary engineering, energy modelling, and budget creation. For a custom home, this typically runs $50,000 to $70,000 depending on project complexity.
Can I still make changes during construction?
Yes. Changes are handled through a clear change-order process. The same team manages the change, so there is no back-and-forth between architect and builder. Changes are priced and approved before they proceed.
What if I already have an architect I want to use?
We also work as a general contractor on projects with existing plans. If you have stamped drawings and engineering ready to go, we can price and build from those. See our general contracting page for details.
Does design-build work for renovations?
It works especially well for renovations, where unknowns behind the walls constantly change the design. Having the designer and builder on the same team means adapting the same day instead of waiting for a redesign cycle.
What protections do I have in a design-build contract?
In BC, any builder constructing new homes must be licensed with BC Housing's Licensing and Consumer Services and provide a 2-5-10 year home warranty through an approved provider. This applies equally to design-build firms and general contractors. The warranty is third-party insurance that protects you regardless of the delivery model.
Client Testimonials
"Straight Up Construction came on board for our emerging resort to build our first Day Lodge in 6 months. During a time when market conditions were vibrant and very active, their delivery was efficient, seamless and delivered on time."
— Chief Operating Officer, Revelstoke Mountain Resort
"It was the most painless way of building a house. We just had to show up, describe what we wanted, make choices, and let Nathan and his associates handle the rest."
— Custom Home Client, Design-Build Project
"Not only were we first timers at this, but Nathan and team had to deal with the complexity of us living in the US while building in Revelstoke. The Straight Up team made us feel comfortable every step of the way."
— Custom Home Client, Building from the US
