SERVICES · DESIGN - BUILD
One team from first sketch to final key.
Design-build means architecture and construction under one roof — one contract, one point of accountability, and a design that's conceived to be built, not revised after the fact. For clients who want a streamlined process and a team that speaks the same language from day one.
DESIGN-BUILD VS TRADITIONAL
Traditional (Design + Bid)
Separate architect and contractor — two contracts, two relationships.
Budget often unknown until bidding — late surprises.
Design may not reflect what's buildable or affordable.
Gaps between designer intent and builder execution
Design-Build with Mafic
One team, one contract, one point of contact
Cost visibility from early design — no late-stage sticker shock
Design conceived with construction in mind from day one
Same team interprets and builds the design
Design that's built for how we build in Montana.
Designs that ignore site conditions, local material availability, and skilled trade realities end up costly to build. Because Mafic designs and builds, we never produce drawings that can't be executed — or that cost twice what the client expected when bids come back.
Single accountability
One team owns the outcome from design through construction. No finger-pointing between architect and contractor when something goes wrong.
Faster delivery
Design and preconstruction planning overlap rather than run in sequence. Projects move faster without sacrificing quality.
Budget clarity early
Construction cost input during design — not after. Scope and budget stay aligned before you're committed to a design direction.
The advantages of design-build
The traditional model — design first, then bid, then build — creates gaps, delays, and budget surprises. Design-build closes those gaps by keeping design and construction in the same conversation throughout.
Constructability by design
Every detail is designed to be built. No costly redesigns when the contractor reviews drawings for the first time.
Integrated building science
Stefan's Passive House expertise shapes design decisions from day one — envelope performance, solar orientation, window placement, mechanical strategy.
Fewer surprises
Transparent budgeting, open books, and a single team means the project you design is the project you build — at the price you planned.
OUR PROCESS
How design-build works with Mafic.
Every phase overlaps intentionally — design decisions inform construction planning, and construction realities shape design. The result is a project that arrives on time and on budget.
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We learn your vision, site, lifestyle needs, and budget. We assess feasibility honestly before design begins.
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Schematic design developed alongside a preliminary budget. You know what the project will cost before going deep into design.
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Full architectural and construction documents developed in-house. Every detail reviewed for constructability and budget fit.
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We manage the permitting process and finalize the construction plan — subcontractors engaged, materials specified, schedule locked.Skilled on-site teams, meticulous detail, and regular client communication throughout the build.
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The same team that designed it builds it. Quality control, transparent updates, and a thorough handover at completion.
WHO IT’S FOR
Design-build is the right fit for some clients — not all.
If you already have an architect and want us as your builder, we're happy to work that way too — see our Custom Home Construction page. Design-build works best when you're starting fresh and want one team in charge of the full outcome.
Starting from scratch
You have a site and a vision but no architect yet. Design-build gives you one team to take it all the way.
Budget-conscious clients
You want early cost certainty and a design that won't blow up in the bidding phase.
Clients who value simplicity
One contract, one relationship, one team. Less coordination overhead for you.
Passive House or high-performance goals
When performance matters, having the designer and builder be the same certified team eliminates the most common failure points.
Want to add Passive House certification to your design-build project?
Design-build is the ideal delivery model for Passive House — the energy modeling, design, and field execution all stay in one certified team. We can model both certified and non-certified paths so you can choose.
Common questions
Do I give up design control in a design-build arrangement?
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No. You're involved in every design decision — design-build changes who manages the process, not how much input you have. Many clients find they have more influence because feedback loops are faster with one integrated team.
What if I want to use my own interior designer or landscape architect?
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That works well. We regularly collaborate with interior designers, landscape architects, and other consultants. The design-build model simplifies coordination rather than excluding outside contributors.
How does pricing work in design-build?
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We use an open-book model with a cost-plus structure. You see all costs transparently. We establish a preliminary budget early and refine it through design — so by the time construction starts, there are no surprises.
Can design-build include Passive House certification?
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Yes — and it's actually the ideal delivery model for it. Having the certified designer and certified tradesperson on the same team eliminates the handoff errors that most often prevent Passive House projects from hitting their performance targets.
Let's design and build something great together.
Tell us about your site and vision and we'll set up a conversation about whether design-build is the right fit for your project.