We include our in-house architect and QP (Qualified Person) services in every landed build quotation. After 15 years of building, we've learnt that separating design from construction creates more problems than it solves. When your builder handles both the drawings and the build, everything moves faster and costs less.

Why Most Builders Don't Include Design Services

Most builders in Singapore don't have in-house architects or QPs. They bid on projects where someone else has already done the drawings, then build to those specifications. This works fine for simple projects, but landed rebuilds and major A&A works are rarely simple.

The problem starts when the drawings don't match site reality. We've seen beautiful architect drawings that ignore existing drain locations, specify materials that can't handle Singapore's load requirements, or show structural elements that would cost three times the budget to build properly.

When design and construction are separate contracts, guess who pays for the fixes? The homeowner. The architect blames the builder, the builder blames the architect, and you're stuck in the middle with cost overruns and delays.

How Integrated Design-Build Actually Works

When we quote a project, our architect is involved from day one. We don't just price your existing drawings — we review them with construction eyes and flag potential issues before you commit.

Our QP handles all URA and BCA submissions as part of the build package. No separate submission fees, no coordination delays between your architect and our construction schedule. When BCA asks for clarifications or amendments during the approval process, our QP can answer immediately because they understand exactly how we plan to build it.

This integration shows up in practical ways. Our architect knows our piling capabilities, so they design foundations we can actually execute. They know our steel fabrication limits, so they don't specify custom connections that would blow the budget. They design for Singapore's soil conditions and our construction methods.

The Real Cost Comparison

Separate architect fees in Singapore typically run 8-12% of construction value for landed projects. Add QP submission fees, and you're looking at significant costs before construction even starts.

When we bundle these services, the effective cost is lower because there's no duplication. Our architect doesn't need to spend time explaining designs to an external builder. Our QP doesn't need extra site visits to understand construction intent. The efficiency savings get passed to you.

More importantly, you avoid the hidden costs of poor coordination. We've taken over projects where submission delays added months to the timeline because the original architect and builder couldn't agree on structural details. Those delays cost more than any fee savings from separate contracts.

What This Means for Your Project Timeline

Integrated design-build accelerates everything. When design issues come up during construction — and they always do — our architect can approve changes immediately. No separate consultation fees, no waiting for external architect availability.

Our QP can coordinate inspection schedules with our construction timeline because they planned both. When BCA requires amendments to approved plans, we handle it internally without stopping work.

We've completed landed rebuilds in 8-10 months from design start to TOP, including submission time. Projects with separate design contracts typically take 12-15 months for the same scope.

When Separate Architects Make Sense

Sometimes you genuinely need a separate architect. If you're doing a heritage conservation project requiring specialized expertise, or if you have a specific design vision that requires a particular architect's style, separate contracts make sense.

In these cases, we work closely with your chosen architect during the tender process. We review their drawings thoroughly and price all coordination time into our quote. You'll pay more for this coordination, but you'll know the real cost upfront.

For sister company Larry Contractors' HDB renovation projects, separate interior designers often make sense because the structural scope is limited. But for landed rebuilds and major A&A works, integrated design-build delivers better value.

Questions to Ask Any Builder

If you're comparing quotes from builders who don't include design services, ask specific questions about coordination. Who handles design changes during construction? What happens if BCA requires plan amendments? How do you resolve conflicts between design intent and construction reality?

Make sure you understand the true cost of separate contracts, including coordination time, submission delays, and change order risks. The lowest construction quote often becomes the highest total project cost once you add proper design coordination.

Do you provide architectural services for all project types?

We include our in-house architect and QP for all landed rebuilds, major A&A works, and structural projects. For smaller scope work that doesn't require submissions, we'll quote construction-only if that better serves your needs.

What if I already have an architect I want to work with?

We can work with your existing architect, but we'll price coordination time into our quote. We'll also review their drawings during tender to identify any construction issues before you commit to both contracts.

How do you handle design changes during construction?

Our in-house architect can approve most changes immediately, which keeps your project moving. We'll discuss cost implications before proceeding, but you won't face delays waiting for external consultant availability.

Do separate contracts ever cost less overall?

Rarely, for landed projects. The coordination overhead and delay risks usually outweigh any fee savings. We've seen too many projects with separate contracts exceed their combined budgets due to poor coordination.

What happens if BCA requires plan amendments during approval?

Our QP handles all amendments as part of the package. Since they understand our construction methods, they can usually resolve BCA comments without major design changes or cost impacts.

Every landed build deserves proper coordination between design and construction. We've built our process around eliminating the finger-pointing and cost overruns that separate contracts create. If you want to discuss how integrated design-build could work for your project, message us on WhatsApp and we'll walk you through the process.