design-build contract

What is a Design-Build Agreement?

Our Design-Build Agreement is a mechanism through which you as an owner work with us during the design phase, as well as the actual construction phase, of your home.

How does the Design-Build Agreement work?

The Design-Build Agreement is simply a two-part agreement.  In the first part, we work with you, achieving the design that you want, and we create the necessary drawings and specifications for your project.  Upon completion of the design, we then enter into a standard construction contract.

Why use a Design-Build Agreement?

The biggest obstacle you have as an owner wanting to build in Belize is the fact that you live very far away.  When you start to plan your home, how will you know what products are available in Belize?  If you like a particular item or feature that you have seen in a catalogue or magazine, will you know if it is available in Belize?  If it is not available, is something similar or equal available?  Will it cost more?  Will it cost less?  How will it affect your overall budget in planning your home?  Will you have to make a trip to Belize just to shop for fixtures, accessories, samples, etc.?  Will you have to settle for lower quality or easily found features rather than some of the very affordable and unique items available in Belize or the surrounding countries?  The Design-Build Agreement solves these problems. 

Once we enter the Design-Build Agreement, the design phase begins.  At that time, hundreds of questions flow back and forth between you and us.  First, we determine your estimated budget for the project, your square footage requirements, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need, your preference of exterior styling for your home, and any particular materials that you like or do not like.  We also determine other general requirements that you may want or need.  Next, we develop a floor plan and an exterior design.  This step may take a week or several weeks depending upon the complexity of your home and the amount of time that you dedicate to this part of the process.  After these general parameters are determined, we then focus on the details.  The details make the home.

For the details, we guide you through the available materials here in Belize and those that must be imported.  We discuss: faucets, showerheads, bath tubs, toilets, sinks, cabinets, light fixtures, moldings, wall paper, appliances, tile, glass block, paint, windows, etc.  We send you digital pictures showing examples of available items.  This allows you time to inquire about unique and custom made items (cabinet systems, entertainment systems, furniture, etc.).  Working hand in hand during the design phase, ensures that the construction phase will proceed smoothly.  All potential problems are worked out in advance and construction takes place faster and more efficiently.

The Design-Build Agreement gives you the power of having an agent in Belize during the design phase, while you are still far away.  Because you know what is available in Belize and what has to be imported, you are able to make better decisions and faster decisions.  Most importantly, you know how these decisions affect your budget during the design phase, as opposed to after you have completed the design of your home.  It is much easier to make changes during the design phase than to make changes or deletions after you have finished the design.