Team Approach

The Master Builder method to home construction

When considering an addition or renovation to your home or if you’re planning to build your dream house, there are many options to consider. Santa Barbara Design & Build has worked to give their clients a popular alternative with the team approach. Team leaders don Gragg, michelle Lang and Alberto Anguiano work together to deliver client projects of all sizes in less time and usually less expense.

The design and build approach is similar to one of the oldest forms of construction methods, sometimes referred to as the Master Builder approach. Instead of the client having to employ an architect and a contractor separately, all phases of the architectural design, including permits, planning and construction can be done by one company. This allows the client to have an agreement with a single entity rather than hiring inde- pendent architects and contractors. This provides the client the most protection because a single point contract minimizes many of the risks and provides the clearest contractual remedies.

SBdB is unique in that it uses very few outside subcontractors, and instead employs its own people in the different trades. This allows SBdB to control both the quality and the scheduling of the work, eliminating costly and lengthy delays waiting on individual subcontractor schedules. Research done by Penn State University found that projects that were done with the design-build method were delivered 33.5% faster, built 12% faster and had an average unit cost reduction of 6.1% as compared to projects that were built with the traditional design-bid-build methods. don Gragg began SBdB after experiencing the long process of building his own home and several investment properties. While building

Building

these projects, Gragg realized how inefficient it was trying to coordinate architects, contractors and subcontractors and this gave him the inspiration to streamline the process. “It just seemed like the status quo wasted a lot of time and money”, said Gragg. By the time he was on his next project he had learned to draw the plans himself and had assembled a crew of workers that worked on only his projects. And when a close friend, who was frustrated with the process of trying to get their home addition underway asked Gragg for help, SBdB was born.

Anguiano, SBdB operations manager, met Gragg and began working with him nearly 14 years ago. Alberto began his construction career as a roofer, and it soon became apparent to the industry that, even at a young age, Anguiano was a leader and could manage other workers effectively. Alberto furthered his career by working for a general contractor which gave him an in-depth knowledge on a wide range of trades. his desire to learn everything about the construction process and his ability to solve problems has made him a trusted supervisor to oversee projects. In addition to acquiring his general contractors license and plumbers license he is an accomplished artisan in multiple facets of construction.

Lang, a licensed architect, joined the team in 2012 after working for several architectural firms in New York and in Santa Barbara. Lang has had a passion for architecture since she was in middle school and received her Bachelor of architecture degree from Andrews University in michigan. She has been involved with many different types of projects including commercial, residential, educational and urban planning. At SBdB michelle enjoys designing, preparing a working drawing, guiding the projects through the permitting process and assisting with the construction management. She finds it very satisfying to be able to see a project from conception through completion.

For more information on SBDB visit santabarbaradesignandbuild.com or call 805-453-0518.

by Michael Kourosh

Robert G Dibley CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® Wealth Management Advisor CA# 0B88887 (805) 898-4400 robert-dibley.com

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