The house design/built

Custom-home builders align themselves with architects

By Sean Ryan - Daily Reporter Staff

Wisconsin residential contractors have used design/ build for as long as any of them can remember, but it's only recently that it's become high-end customers' method of choice.

Bruce Nichols Manager Design and Construction L.L.C

"Design/build is very popular, I think it's growing in popularity," said Bruce Nichols, manager of Madison-based Design & Construction L.L.C. "I would guess probably half of the houses are built that way."

Although most residential contractors don't keep designers on the payroll, they hire them on for individual projects, Nichols said. Architects seldom design homes and owners' input is a big influence on the design work. The contractor "will design the house, or maybe their wife will do it or maybe a designer," Nichols said. "The little one- and two-man architectural offices sometimes will take on residential designs."

Owners primarily use design/build on custom homes they want to have a hand in designing and customizing, said Mad-ison-based Design Shelters President Richard Wasserburger. It isn't used for smaller tract houses where the contractor builds based on a generic design before an owner is even found.

"I think the smaller homes typically are more tract-type homes," he said. "Where design/build is more effective is in the custom home where things are unusual and being done for the first time."

Customers make the most of the same advantages that make design/build appealing in commercial construction. Building a home with design/build gives owners the ability to work intimately with the architect and contractor to make design input and changes throughout the construction process, Wasserburger said. Having the designer in-house helps contractors accommodate the owner's changes more quickly and easily than they could with an outside designer.

"If you want me to start early, just tell me the dollar amount and what you want to do," Nichols said. "People will be able to get a couple of weeks' jump on the project."