Wo-Built's Design & Build Philosophy

Notes from the Desk of Martina Ernst:
1) Thank Ari Berman for his contribution to the Information Forum
2) Write about Wo-Built's Design & Build Philosophy

• Design & Build Part 1: Is the Design and Build Process Better Than the Traditional Construction One?
• Design & Build Part 2: So, Is Design and Build the Solution?
• Design & Build Part 3: How will we know if a Design and Build contractor is pricing accurately?
• Design & Build Part 4: Some more thoughts on Design and Build

Ari Berman’s editorial comments on traditional construction projects versus Design & Build projects reflect some of the reasons why we wanted to be a Design & Build contractor. My heartfelt thanks for your contribution Ari.

Our values are very much anchored in professionalism and customer service and we felt we could best serve our customers by providing a total Design & Build experience. Both Elida Huignard and I have architectural backgrounds and we know the importance of upfront planning and communication between designer and contractor. Combining the two functions under one roof enables faster and better communications, hence making design changes less likely during the construction phase.

The upfront involvement also allows for better planning of necessary resources, both labour and material. Better planning usually results in more efficient use of these resources, reducing delays and last minute high cost purchases. Quality generally is higher with upfront planning and expectations are managed on all sides. Often the most important aspect of a good renovation or construction project is knowing what comes next and what to expect next.

Both Elida and I have worked on large projects in the past and we know the importance of budget restraints, cost planning, adherence to deadlines and the importance of great quality work. The design and build process gives us the confidence to be able to deliver a great quality product and leave a client happy.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc

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Design and Build for an Addition with Our Special Corso Italia Offer

Poster: Wo-Built's Corso Italia Festival Special Offer
"Sign up for a Design and Build of an Addition
and we pay the Permit Drawings"
July 1- September 30, 2011
2011 @ wobuilt.com

As you know we fell in love with Corso Italia, located on St Clair West roughly between Lansdowne and Dufferin, because it is friendly, offers most of the things we need for our business and life and just has got this special atmosphere of enjoyment.

Our Corso Italia Festival and Canada Day Offer

As a company we would like to mark the occasion of the 14th annual Corso Italia Festival 2011 and upcoming Canada Day and bring to our potential clients some ongoing festive joy. For a limited time starting July 1st, 2011 to September 30th, 2011 we have the following special offer:

Sign up for a Design and Build for an addition and we pay for the permit drawings.
Estimated value up to $2,500.

Conditions:

• Ground floor addition has to be at least 12ft x 20ft;
• Ground floor addition contract has to include finishes;
• Our ValueXeptional Classic 2nd Storey Addition is included in offer;
• If Build portion is cancelled for any reason, the offer is void and Wo-Built will have to be reimbursed for the drawings.

Not included in the offer:

• Design time, consultancy and fees;
• Engineering time, consultancy and fees;
• Any structural, foundation and other feasibility investigations;
• Wo-Built’s fee and Mark-up;
• Permit fees, City deposits and applicable taxes.

Wishing everyone a happy Canada Day and great fun at the Corso Italia Festival. See you there either at the festival or when you visit the area to shop and dine.

Wo-Built's Team
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt: Renovate with ValueXeptional Classic Second Storey Addition
wobuilt: We Are Looking for Adventurous Building Owners

+ Added Link
kijiji.ca: Special offer for Design & Build for Addition
"Located in the Corso Italia area in Toronto we decided to have a Corso Italia Festival Special Offer which is valid until September 30th, 2011 - so don't worry that the festival is over. Sign up for a Design and Build for an addition and we pay for the permit drawings. http://wobuilt.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-and-build-for-addition-with-our.html (conditions apply) "
Greater Toronto Area Over 3,902,655 Free Local Classifieds
Date Listed: 06-Jul-11

Design & Build Part 2: So, Is Design and Build the Solution?

Image: MS Office

Keywords: architects, blueprints, construction, contractors, developers

Is Design & Build the solution to traditional construction woes? Well it does have its advantages. First, to be clear... Design & Build means that the designer is also the general contractor who 'does' the project. Being a one-stop offering, it maximizes time efficiency, reduces changes and cost over runs. The contractor is involved from the beginning, provides the initially cost estimates, establishes project budget constraints, hires the designers or architects and is responsible for the cost planning and construction. That last point is important... it means that they don't increase the prices in mid-project, manage the project scope so they delivery on-time and on-budget and don't leave the project for another until the job is done.

Less stress, less time, certainly, but less money as well? To contrast the two, the beauty of the traditional process is that we feel we have a choice once the bids are out. We can shop and compare. Right? Not really. Quotes are usually provided with a degree of latitude so that pricing is not exact even the project goes off perfectly without any changes or snags along the way. As soon as we change or add things or if any problems come along, the price goes up in amounts that are often substantial. Also, we may not agree with the hourly billing rates and are almost always surprised by how long it takes to make and do any changes. The result of this is more cost over run. And, most annoyingly, some less reputable contractors seem to take an age to do what seem to be really simple things or they don’t come back for days or weeks when they have committed they would. This is because they are working on multiple projects for multiple clients by multiple designers - every one gets stretched a little, but the paying customer most. So many people have been at the receiving end of that phenomenon and this is mostly because their understanding with the builder exlcuded: a fixed end date, milestones of completed project chunks, measurement and reporting requirements for what's done and still outstanding. Design and Build contractors do this because it’s in their best interest to finish a job as quickly as possible so they can get client sign off and move on and setting clear and visible targets is one way they manage the process.

That sounds reassuring, but how will we know if a Design & Build contractor is pricing accurately.

Click here for the next instalment.

_______________________________________________________________
This article was contributed by Ari Berman, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Canada, with a specialization in operations and process change. He has helped companies spanning aircraft builders to soda drink manufacturers to increase their value - finding and improving important details that never got attended to in past. His work in the construction industry includes overseeing commercial construction projects in retail shopping malls across Canada. He can be reached at 647-235-8181 or via e-mail on ari.berman@cmc-advisor.com.

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Design & Build Part 4: Some More Thoughts on Design and Build

Image: MS Office

Keywords: architects, blueprints, construction, contractors, developers

Ok, so the million Dollar question is - 'If the Design & Build process is so good why doesn't everyone use it?'

Well, one disadvantage is that the contractual set-up tends to be much more involved than for the traditional one. It requires a lot more up-front work by the contractor which is largely unpaid and much more risky than traditional project bidding. From a home owners perspective the Design and Build process has been largely associated with large public projects and the benefits for smaller projects have not been publicized well. Also there is the fear that one would not get the best deal, by locking in too early and to one provider.

But in our competitive world, there is an emphasis on customer satisfaction to provide repeat and referral business. A properly documented and executed Design & Build process is the more customer friendly and satisfying because it almost totally eliminates the wiggle room for stretching out your project's time or cost. It also gives the client a lot more influence and power in the relationship. By dealing with just one representative responsible for all areas of the project, confusion about who was supposed to do what, when that was to happen and who had to make the call is made very simple and direct. If Design & Build is good enough for mega projects, its benefits will compel smaller consumers to demand the same protection and services. My prediction is that over the next few years Design & Build will be on the rise as consumers insist on having more control and less risk on their projects.

_______________________________________________________________
This article was contributed by Ari Berman, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Canada, with a specialization in operations and process change. He has helped companies spanning aircraft builders to soda drink manufacturers to increase their value - finding and improving important details that never got attended to in past. His work in the construction industry includes overseeing commercial construction projects in retail shopping malls across Canada. He can be reached at 647-235-8181 or via e-mail on ari.berman@cmc-advisor.com.

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A Second Storey Addition - New Construction Approach

A Home Addition Standardized Layout
2011 @ wobuilt.com

Value proposition – a standardized but unique approach to 2nd storey additions.

Over the last few years we have noticed that there are great similarities in the existing bungalow buildings in Toronto. The typical bungalow (approx 800 to 1000sft) consists of two bedrooms at the back of the house, bathroom and basement stairs on the side in the middle, followed by a kitchen and living dining on the other side. We also noticed that many inquiries from potential clients were very similar. The classic wish list for 2nd floor additions seems to be 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to create more space for the family who elected to stay in their community rather than to move to a new house.

We are all about space – creating wow factors with architectural component. But we are also about value for money and in the face of having so many similarities we came up with our new Value-exceptional Classic 2nd Floor Model (tentative name) initiative – a second floor structure with architectural and design features such as master bedroom with either cathedral or coffered ceiling, an en-suite bathroom with large shower area, skylights and light pipe and where possible green construction. Design and Build to finishing stage affordable at a starting price of $167,000 due to our fast track processes.

Even though the basic layout of the addition is standard, individuality in the design is provided by customizing storage, window aesthetics and of course the position and style of stairs and railings. Any further customization is possible, but of course the more changes to the standard the more time consuming the design period will be and the more costly the addition. Any improvement work for the first floor and basement such as window replacements in the rest of the house, new kitchen or open concept will be an option for the clients.

Finishing for this model is up to prime painting. Doors, trims, baseboards, flooring, painting, any bathroom fixtures and tiling and other finishes are not included in the package. For this three different finishes packages, basic, lush and royal, are available and are dealt with under a separate finishes contract, so that different tastes and pocket books can be accommodated. The external appearance and finish is also subject to various options available. Again a very personal choice and best dealt with under the finishes.

So if you are thinking of adding a second storey to your bungalow and are interested to talk to us about our new initiative please contact us. Meanwhile look out for our detailed description on our Website which will be posted soon.

Martina Ernst
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build
(416) 402 - 2679
wobuilt.com
facebook.com/wobuilt
twitter.com/wobuilt

links:
northlightarchitects.com: SECOND FLOOR ADDITION

Home Addition Plus: Helping Homeowners Every Day
Building a Second Floor Addition versus a Room Addition
Deciding on Whether to Build Up or Out on a Home Addition Project
By: Mark J. Donovan

wobuilt.com: Second floor addition project

wobuilt.com: Another Addition Renovation We Are Proud Of

wobuilt.com: What Do These Three Renovation Projects Have In Common?
1. The Classic - Design and Build Project
A second floor was added on a one storey bungalow and over the garage. The first floor was gutted and rearranged into open plan concept.
2. The Ranch - Design and Build Project
Second storey was added to one storey bungalow. The client wanted a ranch style house with large overhangs. We were able to achieve this without compromising the daylight in the interior spaces.
3. The Tower - Design and Build Project
Tiny one storey bungalow was transformed effectively into a three storey building with a large loft studio overlooking the floor below. The walls and the foundation of the existing building could not support the new structure and a large steel structure had to be built to take the load.

wobuilt.com: The Development of Our Addition Project: 3 Parts

Design & Build Part 3: How Will We Know If a Design and Build Contractor Is Pricing Accurately?

Image: MS Office

Keywords: architects, blueprints, construction, contractors, developers

A Design & Build contractor can save money on a project by doing good cost planning, managing site logistics and reducing or eliminating rework/redesign costs. But why would they not take advantage of their position to squeeze the client and fatten their margins? They are, after all, engaged before the design is finalized and have ample opportunity to pump up the numbers. The controls again are built into how they secure their engagement - by the budget and cost estimate they develop during the initial discussions and consultation. Unless the scope changes drastically they are contracted to stay within those limits. The firm contract price which is developed during the detailed design is based on a published fee structures and cost guidelines. Since they are involved in all the stages of the process, they also take some of the risks by giving a firm price at the beginning. They are stake-holders in their clients' projects. And if we as the clients still have doubt about cost validity, additional checks and balances can be introduced, such as an independent cost consultant, detailed fee breakdowns with negotiated percentages and fully disclosed and detailed change order pricing.

From the standpoint of cost and time controls, the Design & Build process outperforms over the traditional construction one.

Some more thoughts on Design & Build. Click here to read on.

_______________________________________________________________
This article was contributed by Ari Berman, a Management Consultant from Toronto, Canada, with a specialization in operations and process change. He has helped companies spanning aircraft builders to soda drink manufacturers to increase their value - finding and improving important details that never got attended to in past. His work in the construction industry includes overseeing commercial construction projects in retail shopping malls across Canada. He can be reached at 647-235-8181 or via e-mail on ari.berman@cmc-advisor.com.

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