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Design-build or architect plus contractor?
Who is responsible for the price, the schedule and the surprises in each model.
Aug 25, 2026 · 7 min read
· By Elena Halden
Both models can produce a beautiful house. They differ in who carries the risk.
Architect plus contractor
You hire a designer, then bid the drawings to contractors. You get independent prices, but the contractor often finds problems the drawings did not anticipate, and each party points at the other.
Design-build
One team designs, prices and builds. The price is fixed after design, and the people who drew the project are the people who build it. You give up the bidding, and you gain one point of responsibility.
Which one fits
If you want a competitive bid on a fully drawn project, hire an architect. If you want one accountable team and a number you can plan around, choose design-build.
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Design-Build
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