You’ve seen the perfect outdoor space online. Stone patio. Built-in firepit. Native plantings. You call a landscape designer. They draw beautiful plans. Then you call contractors for bids. The quotes come back double your budget. Now you’re stuck. Redesign everything? Settle for less? Start over?
There’s a better way.
Design-Build Landscaping Explained
Design-build means one company handles both parts of your project. The same team that designs your landscape also builds it. No handoffs. No miscommunication. No separate contracts.
Your designer and construction crew work together from day one. They know your budget while creating plans. They build exactly what they designed.
The Old Way: Design-Bid-Build
Here’s how most landscape projects used to work:
- Hire a landscape designer. They create beautiful plans.
- Get contractor bids. Wait weeks for quotes to come back.
- Discover the project costs twice what you expected.
- Cut features. Redesign. Get new bids. Repeat.
This process wastes time and money. The designer never talks to the builder. The builder might misread plans. You’re stuck in the middle managing everything.
The Better Way: Design-Build Process
At Birch & Boulder, we do things differently.
We design with your budget in mind. Our team knows construction costs while drawing plans. No surprise bills. No sticker shock later.
We build what we design. The crew that installs your patio helped plan it. They know every detail. They own the outcome.
You have one point of contact. Questions about drainage? Call us. Change your mind on stone color? Call us. We handle everything.
How Design-Build Saves You Money
Separate designers and contractors add hidden costs:
- Designers charge fees with no construction guarantee.
- Contractors bid high to cover uncertainty.
- Change orders pile up during installation.
- Communication gaps cause delays and rework.
Design-build eliminates these problems.
We give you accurate pricing upfront. Our crews work faster because they planned the project. We catch issues during design, not during construction.
Most clients save 15-20% compared to hiring separately.
How Design-Build Saves You Time
The design-bid-build process takes months:
- Designer creates plans (4-6 weeks).
- Get contractor bids (2-4 weeks).
- Negotiate and revise (2-3 weeks).
- Start construction (weeks or months later).
Design-build moves faster:
- We design and price together (3-4 weeks).
- Approve and start (days, not weeks).
- One team from start to finish.
Projects that take six months the old way finish in three months with us.
Our Triangle Area Design-Build Process
Phase 1: Site Meeting & Vision
We walk your property together. Listen to your goals. Measure the space. Check drainage and sun exposure. Discuss your budget honestly.
Phase 2: Design & Pricing Together
Our designer creates 2D and 3D renderings. Meanwhile, our construction team prices materials and labor. You see design and cost at the same time. Make informed decisions before committing.
Phase 3: Refinement
Not happy with something? We adjust the design. Want to add a feature? We show you the cost impact. Everything stays transparent and collaborative.
Phase 4: Construction
Once you approve the final plan, we build it. Same team that designed it. No surprises. Regular updates. Clean work sites daily.
Phase 5: Walkthrough & Care
We walk the finished project with you. Answer questions. Provide maintenance guidance. Stand behind our work.
Why Triangle Homeowners Choose Design-Build
- You know the real cost upfront. No budget surprises halfway through construction.
- One team owns the entire project. Design issues? Construction questions? Same people handle both.
- Faster project completion. No waiting for separate contractors. No coordination headaches.
- Better quality control. The people who designed it build it. They take pride in the outcome.
- Clearer communication. One company. One contract. One promise.
Design-Build Works Best For
- Homeowners planning full landscape renovations.
- Projects mixing hardscape and softscape elements.
- Anyone wanting budget certainty before starting.
- People who value their time and sanity.
Common Design-Build Projects
Backyard Transformations: Patio, firepit, native plantings, drainage solutions.
Front Yard Curb Appeal: New walkways, garden beds, lighting, sod installation.
Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchen areas, seating walls, fire features, lighting.
Problem Solving: Fix drainage, rebuild failing retaining walls, replace dead lawns.
Serving Holly Springs, Apex, Cary & Beyond
For over a decade, Birch & Boulder has completed design-build projects across the Triangle.
We serve homeowners in Holly Springs, Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Morrisville, Angier, Garner, and throughout Wake County.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Stop wasting time with separate designers and contractors.
Get one team. One process. One beautiful result.
Call today for a free design-build consultation.
Let’s create the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming about.