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Designer BuilderOne extension, drawings to keys
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Tool 3 of 3 · Choosing a route

Route chooser: design and build, traditional or a hybrid?

Six questions about your project and how you like to work. The worksheet scores four routes and explains the reasons, so you can test the recommendation rather than just accept it.

1. How fixed does the price need to be?Think about your mortgage advance or savings ceiling.
2. How much control over the design do you want?
3. How complex is the project?
4. How soon do you need to be on site?
5. How much will you manage yourself?
6. What drawings do you already have?

How this is calculated

Each answer gives each of the four routes a score from −3 to +3. The route with the highest total is recommended; if the runner-up is within two points it is shown as a close call. The weights reflect the trade-offs set out in design and build vs traditional:

  • Design and build scores for early price certainty, speed and a hands-off client.
  • Traditional scores for design control, complexity, time to tender properly and willingness to accept price movement.
  • Architect-led design and build scores for wanting control of the look but not the technical detail, and for already having planning drawings.
  • Build-only with your own drawings scores for simple projects, a full drawing set and a client willing to manage. It is penalised heavily if you have no drawings.

Limits: this is a structured way to think, not professional advice. Budget, local builder availability and the specific people you meet matter more than any score.