---
title: To Really Take Advantage of Design/Build Rethink What You know as Normal
description: Many contractors think they are doing Design/Build, but are not. I know this because I know what Design/Build is, how to market it, sell it and manage it.
image: https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hubfs/MAN_BEHIND_PLANS_IN_HARD_HAT-WR.jpg
---

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# The Design Builder's Blog

## [To Really Take Advantage of Design/Build Rethink What You know as Normal](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/to-really-take-advantage-of-design/build-rethink-what-you-know-as-normal)

Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Fri, Jun 03,2016 @ 05:00 AM

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**![Design/Build Coaching](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MAN_BEHIND_PLANS_IN_HARD_HAT-WR.jpg?width=109&name=MAN_BEHIND_PLANS_IN_HARD_HAT-WR.jpg "Design/Build Coaching")**

 

**A lot of remodelers have contacted me recently looking for help with Design/Build.**  Unfortunately many think they are doing or claim to be doing Design/Build, but they are not.  I know this because I know what Design/Build is, how to market it, how to sell it and how to manage it.  **I find it sad to see how many hours and dollars are lost and wasted by contractors trying to figure out how to do Design/Build.  **Worse, many pretend to be Design/Builders and actually have no idea what they are missing out on through their ignorance.

**I find too many contractors pretending to do Design/Build lack the skills and experience to do it right**.   Unfortunately their lack of knowledge coupled with their decision and or stubbornness to figure things out on their own leads to them to **repeat the same mistakes so many other remodelers made before them.**

I suggest there is always more than one way to do things.  I also know that the many things you are concerned about changing were **things that I found were holding back my company and our ability to attract the right clients and project types for Design/Build.**  I too was hesitant and said no one would pay that much to design and estimate, and pay for it in full up-front.  I also said people would not give up bidding.   I also said they would never go for Design/Build if they could not have the plans unless they also contracted for the construction. 

 

### **I was wrong and I was really glad I found out I was wrong.**

**![Evolving to Design/Build](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-522789959-jpg/images/evolution-wr.jpg?width=185&name=evolution-wr.jpg "Evolving to Design/Build")Yes, becoming a real Design/Builder will be an evolution of change, **if you are willing and able to commit to making the changes. The changes will not be easy and will require getting out of your current comfort zone to gain new experiences and results.

In the beginning selling real Design/Build will be challenging.   **If you do it right you will come to trust Design/Build and so will your clients.**   Here is what one of my clients shared:

*“Shawn McCadden is the best business mentor and coach I have ever met.  He has a special talent for getting right to the heart of an issue, helping you find the solution that is right for your situation and then helping you implement the solution and monitor it.  His communication skills enable him to relate to a wide variety of people in ways that make his message interesting, understandable and memorable.  I have called on Shawn many times to help me through situations and am always glad I did.”

*

**![Selling Design/Build](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Trust-WR.jpg?width=106&name=Trust-WR.jpg "Selling Design/Build")Trust is earned.**   If you do Design/Build well with some clients they will come to trust you and will then let those they refer you to know you and your process can be trusted.

**Just remember there are plenty of contractors already doing the things you are challenged to consider doing. ** Once I discovered that fact I knew I could do it too.

 

 

 Topics: [Business Management](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-management), [Design/Build Process](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/designbuild-process), [Building Relationships](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/building-relationships), [Opinions from Design/Builders](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/opinions-from-designbuilders), [Creating Referrals](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/creating-referrals)

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