Expertise: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
Nick Kornea, president of LBK Design Build

Let's face it—home remodeling projects are daunting. It can be hard to know where to start and once the wheels start turning it's nearly impossible to keep up with different price estimates, timelines and companies. Luckily, LBK Design Build condenses the process into one streamlined client-centered project—eliminating the need for overlapping work and reducing the chance of running into costly and lengthy delays.

Recently, LBK Design Build's president, Nick Kornea, spoke with House & Home about the benefits of using a design-build company and how it can open up lines of communication to ensure a more realistic budget, timeline and vision for their remodeling project.

What are the benefits of both designers and builders working together on one team as opposed to using a designer from one company and a builder from another?
Your efficiency is much greater. When you have designers and builders all on one team, you typically get the job done about 34% faster. Having in-house design, allows us to have a series of hand-off and team meetings prior to a hammer ever being swung on site. It's a much more thorough process and everyone's on the same page.

How do both sides work together to create a more cohesive and efficient team?
The designers start the process by going on-site to interview clients about not just their overall wants and needs but also about the general work scope. After that they'll create an as-built plan and drawing for the project. Our trades also go out there to confirm some of our discoveries and investigate any issues or inquiries about things like structure, mechanics, electric, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning. This way both sides are working together early in the process and both relaying information within their disciplines. It creates realistic conversation as far as what the overall real design concepts are going to be and what it's going to take to make that happen.

How can using a combo-team help homeowners save money?
It allows us to realize early on what it's going to take and cost to actually make the project happen. It's a matter of saving money and time by catching it early, instead of running into problems midway through the project and having to stop things then order materials that may have delays. It's about being proactive in planning the project.

What are some best practices or tips for homeowners starting a renovation project?
Homeowners should consider more than just the overall estimate when deciding which company to work with. I believe there are five "P's" homeowners should equally consider—portfolio, process, people, price and past clients.

Portfolio: Take a look at their past work and see if the designs match what you're looking for.

Process: Look at companies to see if they specialize in the type of work that you're looking to have done and how they've done in the recent past.

People: Talk to the companies you're looking to work with. Are they listening to you or do you feel like you're being rushed into a sale?

Price: Review your estimate. While price shouldn't be the only deciding factor, it certainly is an important part of the project for many homeowners.

Past Clients: Anyone that's worth their name in the industry should be able to provide you with at least a few references of past positive and related projects.

LBK Design Build
4814 York Rd. | Doylestown, Pa.
(215) 675-5000
LBKDesignBuild.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 23, Issue 11 (September 2023).
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