San Mateo County – Contractors – Design & Build

When the design and build contract work is completed, your design and build contractor is required to give you a written invoice. This must include:

• The name and physical address of the design and build contractor
• A list of all work performed, including the warranty
• An itemized list of all merchandise purchased or included
• The total design and build project cost, including the amount charged for labor, if any

Before your design & build contractor leaves, confirm any warranties offered by the design and build contractor in San Mateo County.

The written warranty document must detail the following:

• The design and build contractor’s name and physical address
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem with the building project and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• If the design and build contractor warranty coverage is transferrable to the new owner in the event that you sell the home or building in which the contractor has designed and built.
• The length of time as well as limitations should be covered. Warranties should cover materials and workmanship, and names and addresses of the warrantor. This may include the contractor, manufacturer, and distributor.

Design and build contractors in San Mateo County, including the larger cities of Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco, and San Bruno, provide all types of design and build projects. Following is a list of the most popular projects.

Luxury homes
Luxury homes are high-end homes in affluent communities. The high-end status is determined by location, property entry, architecture, decor, decadent amenities, entertainment capability, grounds, etc.

Beach homes
A beach home is a home designed for the beach. Typically beach homes are a form of a vacation home rather than a permanent residence.

A-frame homes
A-frame houses feature steeply-angled sides that usually begin at or near the foundation line and meet at the top, creating a home that looks like the letter A.

Green homes
Green homes are built using a process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the building’s life-cycle. This “green” process includes design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. The purpose of a “green” home is to reduce the overall impact of the home on the human health and natural environment.

Split-level homes
A split-level home is similar to a ranch home. It features three levels of living space on a floor plan that makes economical use of the building lot.

Home additions
Home additions can be added to your home in order to increase its value and comfort. These additions include sunrooms, pop-top home additions, multi-level additions, or multi-room additions.

Victorian homes
Victorian homes are usually two story homes with steep roof pitches, turrets, and dormers. Typically a Victorian home has a large porch as well.

Craftsman homes
Craftsman homes is an American architectural design tht began in the last years of the 19^th century. It has its origins from the British arts and crafts movement, emphasizing the hand-made over the mass-produced. Craftsman homes feature simplicity of form, local natural materials, and visibility of handicraft.

Log homes
Log homes are structurally identical to log cabins because they are made from logs that have not been milled into conventional lumber.

Chalet-style homes
Reminiscent of homes on alpine ski slopes, chalet style homes are rustic homes based on Swiss alpine cottages. They have a rectangular shape, big lofts, large windows, and steep gabled roofs.

Below are key design/build contractor terms and descriptions that will help you through your design and build project.

blueprint
A blueprint is a paper reproduction of an architectural design. Usually these paper drawings are on white paper with blue lines but it is a generic term for any detailed architectural design.

Also known as: the blueprint, home blueprints, half pipe blueprints, house blue prints, blue print maker, construction blueprints

change order
A written order to the contractor that details changes to the specified work quantities or modifications that are in the original contract.

Also known as: construction change order form, change order request form, change order form template

commercial building construction
This is a reference to constructing a commercial building that will be used for business purposes.

Also known as: industrial building construction, building construction companies, commercial building, commercial building contractors, commercial buildings, metal building construction, commercial building contractor, construction cost for commercial building, residential construction companies, commercial building construction costs

commercial buildings
A commercial building is a building used for commercial use. Types include retail, such as convenience stores, shopping malls, etc., warehouses, and office buildings.

Also known as: commercial buildings for lease, commercial storage buildings, prefabricated commercial buildings, steel commercial buildings, commercial building plans, commercial building designs, commercial building inspection

custom home designs
Custom home designs are designs for home that are modern and unique.

Also known as: custom home plans, home designs, custom designed homes, luxury home designs, custom design homes, small home designs, new custom homes, custom home construction, contemporary home designs

design-bid-build services
This is a reference to a project delivery system used in the construction industry. In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor.

designers
Designers have expertise in certain areas of home remodeling and decor, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

exteriordesign-build services
This is a type of construction in which the exterior view of a property is designed and built by a single entity known as the design-build contractor.

Also known as: exterior design, design build companies, exterior designers, design build firm, exterior design ideas, exterior home design, design build architects, house exterior design

generalcontractors
General contractors manage all aspects of a project. This includes hiring and supervising subcontractors, obtaining materials and building permits, and scheduling inspections.

Also known as: certified general contractors, association of general contractors

high-end home design/build services
High-end homes are luxurious homes in affluent communities. The high-end status is determined by location, property entry, architecture, decor, decadent amenities, entertainment capability, grounds, etc.

Also known as: luxury homes, high end homes for sale, high end real estate, high end mobile homes, high end home builders, luxury houses for sale, luxury home for sale

home addition design-build services
This is a reference to the design and construction services being contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor to add an additional room or rooms to a home.

Also known as: home addition plan, home additions, home additions remodeling, home addition design, home addition designer, custom home design build, home addition plans

home floor plans
This is the blueprint or design for a home that is typically drawn up by an architect.

Also known as: luxury home floor plans, log home floor plans, ranch home floor plans, small home floor plans, home floor plans free, modular home floor plans

home remodeling designs and construction
In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor to remodel a home.

Also known as: home remodeling design, remodeling design, home remodeling contractors, kitchen remodeling design, home remodeling kitchen, kitchen remodeling designs, home construction remodeling, home remodeling plans, homes remodeling, room additions, home remodeling contractor, house remodeling plans, home remodeling companies, home remodeling additions, remodeling designs, home remodeling company

interiordesign-build services
In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor in order to remodel the interior of a home or building.

Also known as: office interior design, interior design office, interior designers office, office interior designers, interior designs office, interior design services

kitchen designs
This is a reference to the different designs or constructions of a kitchen.

Also known as: galley kitchen designs, best kitchen designs, kitchen designs photos, traditional kitchen designs, kitchen designs with islands, outdoor kitchen designs, kitchen design software, kitchen design gallery, kitchen designs on a budget

licensedarchitects
Architects who have met the standards for licensing by the California Architects Board are licensed. This includes completion of the two state-run intern development programs known as CIDP and IDP; completion of the Architect Registration Examination; and completion of the oral examination known as the CSE.

specialtycontractors
Specialty contractors install particular aspects of a project such as the plumbing or electrical work.

standard bid
The traditional cost that is associated with the materials and labor needed to construct the project.

subcontractor
Any constructor who contracts to perform parts of the work of a project that the original contractor contacted to do.

Also known as: subcontractor agreement template, subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement form, sample subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement construction, subcontractors insurance, insurance for subcontractors

tenant improvements
This is a reference to improving an apartment complex through renovations that is being rented by tenants, or renters.

Also known as: tenant improvement contractors, tenant improvement allowance

vacation home
This is a home that is used seasonally as a vacation residence rather than being lived in year round.

Also known as: vacation home plans, rent a vacation home, vacation homes for rent

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified design and build contractor?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a design and build contractor with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only design and build contractors rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified design and build contractor.

Q: What are the advantages of a design/build project?
A: There are several advantages to a design/build project that include sole source responsibility; it’s a straight-forward approach to design with greater flexibility; better quality control; participation by the client in selection of materials; rapid response to changes in scope with minimal paperwork, and more.

Q: What are the design/build contractor’s responsibilities?
A: His responsibilities include quoting on work within his area of expertise; stating clearly in his proposal exactly what will be done, what is not included, what the price will be, and what the schedule will be; producing a functional system that actually functions completely to the satisfaction of you, the client.

Q: What are my responsibilities as a client?
A: The client’s responsibilities include treating the design/build proposal as confidential rather than shopping the proposal on the open market; checking references of those submitting proposals; and pay the hired contractor for the work done.

Q: Why doesn’t a design/build contractor sell design services alone?
A: It may represent a loss of alternate design/build business as it ties up a design staff. Furthermore, the typical design/build contractor does not carry liability insurance to cover his designs if they are installed by somebody else.

Q: Is it possible to use a specific design/build contractor yet retain competitive prices?
A: The answer is yes because typically contractors agree to provide a complete design and construct project on a “guaranteed maximum” basis. They will agree to charge a set amount for a project and no more, assuming the scope does not change. If the costs are less than originally estimated, savings are passed on to the client on a pre-agreed basis.

Q: How long will my construction project take to complete?
A: That depends on the job. When you meet with your contractor, they should be able to fairly accurately determine an estimated end date.

Q: Do design/build contractors operate a clean worksite?
A: It is a good idea to check the work of a design/build contractor before hiring to see if, in fact, they operate clean worksite. Check to see if they use floor protectors and put plastic sheets for dust containment. Note if there is a line item in the contract that includes jobsite setup, cleanup, and portable facilities.

Q: If I am a contractor, can I work with a design/build team on my project to reduce the cost?
A: Many design/build contractors are happy to work alongside their clients as long as they are qualified. However, sometimes lesser skilled, free labor can actually increase the overall cost of a project.

Q: How do I know that a design/build contractor is not marking up your credit allowances?
A: A quality design/build firm will have open and transparent paperwork. They should be able to show you receipts for what has been purchased, including contractor discounts.

Q: Can a design/build contractor give estimates over the phone?
A: That depends on the job. A simple job such as putting up a fence can generally be quoted regarding the price of various fencing materials. But more complex jobs will require an on-site inspection in order to quote an accurate estimate.

Q: Are estimates of design/build companies negotiable?
A: Generally they are not. A quality design/build firm will give a fair estimate based on current market prices for your community. They may be able to work with you in lowering the overall cost by using different materials or coming up with a more efficient design.