What Is
Design-Build?
One firm for both design and construction. A simpler, more accountable way to build a custom home in Greater Boston.
Talk to Our TeamOne firm for design and construction.
Design-build is a project delivery model where a single firm handles both the design and the construction of your home. Instead of hiring an architect, then separately hiring a general contractor to build their drawings, you work with one integrated team from the first sketch to the final walkthrough.
At Arco, our architects, designers, and builders sit under one roof. Your design is grounded in what it actually costs to build, decisions get made faster, and one team is accountable for the result, your vision, your budget, and your timeline.
Design-build vs. the traditional way
Architect + separate contractor
- You hire and manage two separate firms
- Design happens before anyone prices the build
- Budget gaps surface late, after the drawings are done
- When problems arise, responsibility gets split
- You are the go-between for every decision
Arco design-build
- One firm, one contract, one point of accountability
- Design and budget move together from day one
- Costs are understood early, so there are fewer surprises
- One team owns the vision, the budget, and the timeline
- A single partner from first sketch to final walkthrough
Our design-build homes
Every one of these was designed and built by one team. Click any home to see the full project.
Why choose design-build
What you gain when design and construction live under one roof.
One Point of Accountability
No finger pointing between architect and contractor. One team owns your vision, your budget, and your timeline from day one.
Design and Budget, Together
Because we build what we design, your budget is considered from the first decision, not discovered after the drawings are finished.
Fewer Surprises
Aligning design and construction early surfaces trade-offs and constraints up front, so the project runs with fewer costly changes late in the build.
A Faster, Smoother Path
Design, engineering, and permitting move in parallel instead of in sequence, so the project keeps momentum from concept to completion.
The design-build process
Discovery & Planning
We start by listening.
We review your property, zoning, and goals so the project starts on solid ground, with no surprises.
Design & Pre-Construction
Your vision, made buildable.
Architecture, engineering, and permitting move in parallel so every detail is aligned before we break ground.
Construction
Built with precision.
A dedicated Arco team manages every trade, milestone, and detail throughout the build.
Completion & Walkthrough
Delivered with confidence.
A full internal review and walkthrough before you move in, down to the final finish.
Custom Residential Design Build
Architectural designer, builder, or both. One full service team from concept to completion.
Ground Up Construction
From vacant lots and teardowns to final finishes, every stage of new construction managed with precision.
Renovations & Historic Preservation
Seamless structural and aesthetic upgrades that respect a home's architectural integrity.
Project Management
Trusted oversight of schedules, budgets, and execution on your behalf, start to finish.
Design-build questions
Design-build is a delivery model where one firm handles both the design and the construction of your home. Rather than coordinating a separate architect and general contractor, you work with a single integrated team from the first sketch through the final walkthrough.
Because design and construction sit in one firm, your budget is considered from the first design decision rather than after the drawings are finished. That early alignment means clearer trade-offs along the way and fewer costly surprises late in the project.
In a design build model, the design team and the construction team are the same firm. Instead of coordinating between a separate architect and general contractor, you get one point of accountability for your vision, your budget, and your schedule from the first sketch through the final walkthrough.
Yes. Our architects, designers, and builders work under one roof, covering custom residential design build, ground up construction, renovations and historic preservation, and project management.
It begins with a conversation. We review your property, goals, and any zoning considerations, then move into design and pre construction planning. Reach out through our contact form to set up an initial consultation.
Curious if design-build is right for you?
Tell us about your project and we will walk you through how design-build would work for it.
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