Design & Build

Bring your ideas to life

“Thank you for considering Oak Construction. We would love to partner with you on your new home or project.”

In the design and construction process, there are three primary parties to be identified… the Owner, the Architect, and the Contractor. On every project someone has to take responsibility for the design (typically the Designer) and someone has to take responsibility for the cost and the schedule (typically the Contractor).


The relationship between the three parties commonly takes one of three forms; Design-Build, Design-bid-Build or Construction Management. In our 40 years of experience, Oak Construction has proven capable and flexible enough to offer the owner any one of the three relationships: We will assume the role you are most comfortable with. As you browse our Featured Homes and our Gallery section, you will notice we declare the role of Oak Construction on each project.


As you consider the option that suits you best, here are a few key takeaways to keep  in mind...

Design-Build


Design Build is a common yet often overlooked project delivery method in which a single firm is responsible for the entirety of your project, from the conceptual design through completion of construction. Design-build streamlines project delivery through a contract between the owner and the design build team. This simple but fundamental difference saves money and time by transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance which fosters collaboration and teamwork.


Explore more about the Design-Build option below.

  • Why Design-Build

    “Design-build streamlines project delivery through a single contract between the owner and the design build team.”


    This simple but fundamental difference saves money and time by transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance which fosters collaboration and teamwork. Below we give ten reasons for choosing Design-Build.


    1. Everybody is on the same team:

    We’re all in this together and we all have the same goal. – To arrive at a successful project that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations for their project. When challenges are encountered on a project (and there are always challenges), pointing fingers is not an option, everyone rolls up their sleeves and works on solutions.


    2. Total accountability:

    One entity is accountable for everything, including how the end result looks, how much it costs and the timeline of completion. When the same group that designs the project also builds the project, there tends to be much more attention given to pricing and scheduling in the design phase. The cost of everything is taken into account early on in the process; all fees, construction costs, utilities, landscaping allowances. Everything.


    Unfortunately, it’s not unusual to hear from people that “their remodel cost twice as much as the architect said it would”. Such a scenario is entirely unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build focuses on results, not excuses.


    3. Continuity:

    A design-build firm is involved from start to finish, which adds an inherent efficiency. The chance for things to fall through the cracks is greatly diminished.


    4. Expertise:

    Design-build firms are experts in both fields. The principals should have architectural design, experience and knowledge in the architecture field. They should also have professional experience in construction and understand pricing, sequencing and how buildings go together.


    5. Professional guides:

    We’ve all heard the stories that design and construction can get out of hand and messy. Design and construction shouldn’t be chaotic or stressful. A design-build firm is a beacon to clients throughout the process, guiding the way to the best possible outcome. Design-build refines a system from beginning to end and manages the chaos into orderly steps.


    6. Involvement:

    Design-build operates under the assumption that the client actually wants to be an active participant in the design and construction of their home. By taking an involvement they’re guaranteeing that they get the outcome and satisfaction of their goals. We’ve found that such an involvement is inspiring and gives people a lasting sense of pride about their home.


    7. Collaboration:

    Design-build cuts out the big egos so common in the design industry. In design-build the client retains total control over the project and the team is there to empower them.


    8. The best kind of communication is open, honest and often:

    Design-build is transparent because we want clients to understand the process and to know what’s going on. The best partnerships work, not because people say what everyone wants to hear, but because they say what everyone needs to hear. Through clear communication the budget is defined early on and it becomes the agreement for the entire project.


    9. Time is of the essence:

    Design and construction involves managing hundreds of timelines that need to coordinate in lockstep. Design-build creates opportunities for clients to sit with big decisions, ask questions, and consider their options. Anything the team can do to avoid taking steps backwards is going to lead to better, faster and more cost-effective results. The design-build system is highly adaptive and responsive in the field. Big decisions can be revisited during construction without change orders or additional fees. The conventional story is that if you make changes it will cost you money – not necessarily so in design-build.


    10. Cost savings:

    Inherent to the design-build model is a savings of approximately 10% of the project costs.

Design-Bid-Build


Design-Bid-Build is a project delivery method in which the owner contracts with separate entities for both the design and construction of a project. Design–bid–build is the traditional method for project delivery and differs in several substantial aspects from design–build. With Design-Bid-Build, Oak Construction does not enter the process until after the design is complete.

Construction Management at Risk


With Construction Management at Risk, Oak Construction is selected as the construction manager and general contractor early in the design phase. We work closely with your architect to examine alternate materials, systems, and equipment for cost, quality and availability. We then perform due diligence reviews and offer value engineering suggestions. This early coordination fosters collaboration and focuses the entire team on finding the best solutions for your construction project. As the General Contractor we coordinate all subcontractor bids and determine a guaranteed maximum price for construction.

Due Diligence


“Prior to any design, it is prudent to conduct an analysis of limitations and restrictions imposed by local or jurisdictional regulations.”

This analysis is referred to as Due Diligence and can be conducted to varying degrees. As a minimum, we recommend the following steps prior to investment of the homeowner’s budget or designer’s time. This helps to ensure that the homeowner’s vision is realistic and feasible.


Work to be completed: Contractor will conduct Due Diligence to determine the feasibility of a development project by conducting an initial interactive review of the customer’s plans, ideas and requirements.


We will review the customer’s requirements and provide tools to assist in determining their goals and budget. We will provide Customer Selection and Customer Budget checklists and walk you through the selection and budgeting process.


We utilize the information developed during this interactive phase to develop a concept with which we conduct a review of current zoning and other applicable regulations. The analysis includes an estimate of budgetary items to enable to customer to develop their overall budget for the project and make prudent decisions on property and aspects of design.


Specific components of Due Diligence are outlined below:

  • Tax map review of specific lot
  • Zoning map review for determination of zoning and applicable uses
  • Code review of bulk zoning requirements to include but not limited to; setbacks, area, coverage, FAR and parking requirements.
  •  Ordinance review to determine applicable permit, application and connection fees.
  •  Limited conceptual layout to determine feasibility of site plan
  •  Review of applicable stormwater management requirements and potential affect on budget


Deliverable services from the Due Diligence process:

  • Conceptual Site Layout indicating building footprint, proposed parking with applicable setbacks.
  • Comprehensive Zoning Analysis
  • Estimate of Probable Cost to include; design, site, building, application and permitting
  • Recommendations on building design and layout based on Due Diligence findings.


Information generally provided by Customer:

  • All available information of the subject property
  • Specific building requirements to include; total area desired, areas of specific uses within the subject building, specific personnel, and if applicable, customer and employee requirements
  • Available information regarding encumbrances or easements affecting development of the tract, specifically access, stormwater and/or utilities.