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To be honest we probably could have done more investigation - we got some ballpark estimates from architects who would contract the work out and it seemed within the same area. Ultimately we liked their work, they got good reviews (inc @chrisbmx116 ) and we liked the idea that it might remove ‘some’ stress. Difficult to scale and maintain quality but I think the concept of inhousing it all is really strong.
Tenderloin
Sheppz
On costs - the “traditional procurement”route gives you the most control and should ensure best quality and the most competitive price -but it’s slower.
Concept design
QS does cost check
Design in almost total detail down to all fittings finishes etc or use provisional sums when you are undecided.
QS review and tender Admin
Tender to 3 -5 contractors
Interview contractors and choose one
Discuss cost savings if you need and agree contact sum
Enter contract with builder (administered by architect or pm)
Build thing -cost variations are controlled within the bounds of the contact only. QS or Architect to carry out valuations at monthly intervals to pay contractor as you go.
But I guess this is too slow / overkill for sub 100k projects. In which case you tender to builders following planning (at which point a lot is unknown) or following completion of building regs drawings (when you know a bit more about steels/foundations/ structure etc. But fittings and finishes have a big impact on overall costs so builders either make assumptions or you guide them or you leave it out to get a cost for a shell and have to do all the legwork on choosing/supplying all the gubbins yourself and adding it all up.
‘Design and build’ procurement-is a bit different - typically tendered at planning stage and architect novated to contractor to provide drawn info as required (but builder has control over detailing which will control finished outcome) - not suitable for domestic work where you want to achieve a very particular ‘design-led’ outcome.
Design and build firms like EC is not the same as D&B procurement - they are architects who also build so the benefit is that they can control quality across the board. Not sure how you know the construction cost is competitive - do they provide competitive quotes for sub contractors Is it all just handled in house ? Regardless the work looks excellent.