The Design-Build Red Flags No One Warns You About
"We just want one point of contact."
“It seems so much easier."
“The design-build firm promised they'd handle everything."
I hear this constantly from homeowners who thought they'd found the easy button for their renovation, until the bills came in, the tile went down with grout lines you could park a car in, and they realized their "designer" was more scared of the contractor than committed to their vision.
Here's what no one tells you about design-build: when the person designing your dream kitchen gets their paycheck from the same company pouring the foundation, you've just lost your only advocate.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Loyalty
Let me be direct about something the design-build industry won't say out loud: your designer's paycheck comes from the contractor's bank account.
Think about what that means. When your design calls for a structural beam to create that open-concept great room you've been dreaming about, and the builder says "too expensive" or "not worth the hassle," what do you do? That designer, no matter how talented, is sitting across from their boss. Not your advocate. Their employer.
We've had clients come to us mid-project (yes, we can help even then) who were told their vision was "impossible." Load-bearing walls, plumbing issues, and budget constraints. The real issue? The contractor didn't want to deal with the complexity or the hit to their margin. And the in-house designer didn't have the independence to fight back.
When we work with clients, our loyalty is crystal clear: we work for you. Our paycheck, our reputation, our entire business depends on your home turning out exactly as you envisioned it, not on keeping a contractor's schedule or profit margin intact.
The Details That Separate Luxury from Generic
Here's where design-build really falls apart: the details matter, and details cost time and money.
You know those narrow, barely-there grout lines that make high-end tile installations look seamless and elevated? Your design-build contractor is going with ⅜" lines. Why? Because that's what their tile guy knows, it's faster, and no one's going to push back.
The powder room wallpaper that needs to perform in humidity but still feel luxurious? They're steering you toward what's in stock at their supplier, not what actually works in our coastal climate and delivers the look you want.
The millwork profile that adds that custom, collected-over-time look? "Standard profiles are fine."
We've built our business on understanding what it takes to create spaces that not only look good in photos but also perform well in South Florida's challenging environment. We know which stone sealers hold up. We know which hardware finishes won't corrode. We have relationships with artisans and fabricators who get the level of finish our clients expect, and we're not afraid to hold everyone to that standard because our job isn't on the line with the general contractor.
When the Budget Becomes a Hostage Situation
Let's talk about what happens when renovation reality hits and you're already locked into a design-build contract.
Your tile selection is discontinued. Or the custom range you fell in love with has a 14-week lead time that blows the schedule. Or, and this happens constantly, the initial "structural assessment" missed something major, and now you need a steel beam that no one budgeted for.
With design-build, here's the conversation: "We need to value-engineer. Here are your options." Translation: the contractor presents you with cheaper alternatives that protect their margin, and your in-house designer nods along because, well, they're on the contractor's team.
When you have an independent designer, we're in the room saying: "Actually, here's where we can make different cuts that won't compromise the design. Here's why this material matters. Here's the vendor relationship I have that might solve this." We're fighting for creative solutions, not presenting you with the path of least resistance for the builder.
Our clients aren't looking for the cheapest path forward. They're looking for someone who will protect their investment and their vision when the inevitable challenges arise. And that requires a designer whose only incentive is getting it right, not getting it done.
The Job Site Reality No One Mentions
I'm going to be honest about something uncomfortable: dynamics matter on a job site.
We've worked on enough renovations to see how decisions actually get made when we're not standing there. The tile installer has a question about the pattern layout. The electrician wants to know about the pendant height. The painter needs to confirm the trim color.
Is your designer employed by the contractor running the job? Those tradespeople aren't calling her for final decisions. Or if they do, her "suggestions" get filtered through "let me check with the contractor," which really means "let me see if this adds time or cost."
When Merritt Design Co. is your designer, the job site knows we're the decision-maker. We're not asking permission. We're not worried about rocking the boat. We're there to make sure your tile is installed exactly to spec and your custom details get the attention they deserve, even if it means the timeline adjusts or someone has to problem-solve.
Independence equals authority. And authority protects your investment.
What You're Really Paying For
Here's what design-build firms sell you on: convenience.
Here's what you actually get: a contractor who hired a designer to make their proposals prettier.
The markup structure alone should tell you everything. Design-build firms are building designer salaries and overhead into the construction budget, then marking up materials and labor on top of that.
You're not saving money. You're just losing transparency about where it's going.
When you work with us alongside a trusted, independent general contractor, you get:
A designer whose expertise is worth the investment and whose loyalty is clear
Competitive bids from contractors who know we're managing quality control
Transparency in budget: you see exactly where every dollar goes
A system of checks and balances where no one gets away with "good enough"
We've had clients tell us their design-build experience felt like being sold a turnkey dream and handed a project with a thousand invisible compromises. By the time they realized what was happening, they were too far in to start over.
The Merritt Design Co. Difference:
We're not here to manage contractors who are trying to manage us. We're here to be your expert, your advocate, and your translator through one of the biggest investments you'll make in your home.
Because here's what we believe: your home should feel like it was designed for you, not around a contractor's comfort zone.
The best renovation experiences happen when everyone has a clear role: the contractor builds it beautifully, and we make sure "beautifully" means what you envisioned, not what was easiest.
Ready to talk about your project with a designer who works for you, not the builder? Let's schedule a consultation and walk through what independent design advocacy actually looks like for your home.
REBECCA MERRITT
founder & principal designer
We are a boutique interior design studio based in The Keys, Florida.
