Why We Chose Design + Build (And Why It Changed Everything)
“Let me tell you why we transitioned 5stone to a Design + Build model. It wasn’t a business decision first. It was a people decision.
For a long time, the way most of our renovation projects worked was that homeowners were asked to stitch their project together: tile from one place, cabinets from another, paint from somewhere else. Each place had someone helpful, someone experienced, someone giving advice. Everyone was trying to help. But no one was responsible for the whole.
It’s a little like trying to remodel a house by hiring individual trades without a general contractor. You might have great electricians and great plumbers, but without someone coordinating everything, the homeowner ends up carrying the burden. They become the point of integration.
That’s what I kept seeing on the design side. Clients weren’t trying to become their own designer. They were just trying to make good decisions. And instead, they were left stitching fragments together, hoping it would all work once construction started.
And what happens is: the stitching shows.
Traditional remodeling often separates the design from the construction. You might hire an architect or designer to develop the plans, make your selections, and establish the vision, and then hand that work off to a contractor to build. The homeowner is left making sure everyone stays aligned.
Design + Build brings those pieces together.
So we made the shift. And now, at 5stone, our in-house architectural and interior design team works alongside our construction team from the beginning. We start by understanding your home, the problems you’re trying to solve, how your family lives, and what you want your space to look and feel like. From there, we develop the design, create detailed renderings, work through details with you, and help you make smart selections that support your vision. All of it is planned with construction in mind from the start.
When it's time to build, our team coordinates all of the trade partners involved, from electricians and plumbers to our team of skilled carpenters and other specialists, so you aren't left managing the pieces yourself. The people who understand the vision are connected to the people responsible for bringing it to life.
The difference isn't simply that we offer more services under one roof. The experience is fundamentally different. Instead of asking you to manage the gaps between design and construction, we take responsibility for connecting those pieces and walking beside you through the process.”
–Marc Cockerham, Founder/Principal
If you’re considering a renovation and want a process that feels intentional from the very beginning, we’d love to start that conversation with you: