Design-Build Contracting · Pittsburgh & Western PA
Design-Build General Contractor in Pittsburgh & Western PA
One team designs your project, pulls the permits, runs the trades and builds it. From whole-house renovations to framing, foundations and flooring, you get one contract and one point of contact backed by more than 20 years of building experience.
One Team, Start to Finish
A general contractor in Pittsburgh, PA that designs and builds
Most homeowners hire an architect, wait for drawings, then shop those drawings to builders. As a design-build general contractor, we handle both halves. The people planning your layout are the same people who will frame the walls and set the trim, so the design is drawn with real building costs and real site conditions in mind.
That matters on every kind of job, from a single-room home remodeling project to a whole house renovation or new construction. Owner Joe Donati stays involved from the first meeting, and our custom carpentry is done in-house rather than handed off.
- ✓ General contracting: permits, trades, scheduling and inspections
- ✓ Home remodeling, from one room to the whole house
- ✓ Custom carpentry and millwork built in-house
- ✓ Registered Pennsylvania contractor, PA HIC #028559
The Process
How a design-build project moves forward
Every project follows the same four stages, and we set your schedule with your written estimate.
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1
Consultation & Site Visit
We walk the home or property with you, talk through goals and priorities, and look at structure, access and existing conditions.
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2
Design & Estimate
Drawings, selections and a detailed written estimate, developed together so the design stays tied to what it takes to build.
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3
Permits & Construction
We pull permits, schedule every trade in the right order and manage inspections while our crew builds.
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4
Walkthrough & Handover
A final punch list, testing of every system and a room-by-room walkthrough with you before we hand it over.
Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build
Two ways to run a building project
With design-bid-build, you hire an architect first and a separate contractor later. With design-build, one company carries the project from drawings to final walkthrough. Here is how they compare.
| Design-Build | Design-Bid-Build | |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts | One contract with one company | Separate contracts for designer and builder |
| Point of contact | One team answers every question | You coordinate between architect and contractor |
| Budget control | Costs checked while the design is drawn | True cost known only after bids come in |
| Schedule | Design and planning overlap, fewer handoffs | Each phase waits for the one before it |
| Change orders | Fewer surprises, since builders shape the plans | More likely when drawings meet the job site |
| Independent review | Rely on a builder you trust and can verify | An outside architect can review the builder’s work |
Whole-House Renovation
The right order for a whole house renovation
A whole house renovation goes smoothly when work happens in the right sequence. Structure comes first, then the systems hidden inside the walls, then the finishes you see every day. Doing it out of order means opening finished walls or damaging new floors.
As your general contractor, we handle the parts homeowners never want to: permits, scheduling plumbers, electricians and HVAC trades, ordering long-lead materials, and passing each township inspection before walls close.
House framing
New walls, load-bearing changes, openings and additions framed square, plumb and ready for inspection.
Foundation & concrete
Foundation repair for cracks, settling and water problems, plus footings and slabs for new work.
Mechanicals & inspections
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC roughed in by qualified trades, then inspected before insulation and drywall.
Flooring & finishes
Flooring installation in hardwood, tile or vinyl, along with trim, doors, cabinetry and paint.
Restoration & Structural Work
Home restoration, concrete and foundation repair
Western Pennsylvania has plenty of older homes worth saving. Home restoration means repairing what time, water or past renovations have damaged while keeping the character that makes the house special. Our in-house carpenters can rebuild trim, stairs and built-ins to match what was there.
Restoration often starts below the floor. We handle foundation repair, sagging floor framing and concrete construction such as footings, slabs, steps and walkways, so the finishes above sit on something solid. If you are thinking about more space, see our home additions page.
- ✓ Home restoration that respects the original character
- ✓ Foundation repair for cracks, settling and moisture
- ✓ Concrete construction: footings, slabs, steps and walks
- ✓ Structural framing repairs before new finishes go in
Our Work
Projects built by one design-build team
Related Services
More projects our team designs and builds
Questions
Design-build contracting FAQs
What does a general contractor do on a home remodel?
A general contractor manages the whole job: the schedule, the budget, the permits, the materials and every trade on site. When you hire a general contractor in Pittsburgh, PA, they also handle inspections and solve the surprises that come up once walls are opened. As a design-build firm, we add the design work on top of that, so one team covers the project from drawings to final walkthrough.
What is a design-build contractor?
A design-build contractor is one company responsible for both designing and building your project under a single contract. Instead of hiring an architect first and a separate builder later, the designers and builders work together from day one. You get one point of contact and one team accountable for the result.
What is a disadvantage of design-build?
The main tradeoff is that there is no separate architect reviewing the builder on your behalf, so you are placing more trust in one company. That makes choosing the right firm important. Check their state registration, insurance, past work and references before you sign.
Are design-build firms more expensive?
Not necessarily. Because the builder is involved while the design is drawn, the plans reflect real construction costs from the start. That usually means fewer redesigns, fewer change orders and fewer delays than when drawings are finished first and priced later.
Do general contractors need a license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide general contractor license for residential work, but home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and show their registration number on contracts and advertising. Premier Custom Builders is registered as PA HIC #028559. Some municipalities also require their own local licenses and permits, which we handle for your project.
What are some red flags when hiring a general contractor?
Watch out for a contractor who wants a large cash payment before work begins, will not provide a written contract or clear scope, or suggests skipping permits. Other warning signs are no PA HIC registration number, no proof of insurance, high-pressure sales tactics and no local references you can call.
Which part of the house should be renovated first?
Start with structure and safety: roof leaks, foundation problems, framing issues and outdated wiring or plumbing. Once the shell and systems are sound, move on to the rooms you use most, such as the kitchen and bathrooms. A design-build contractor can plan the whole house renovation in phases so nothing finished has to be torn out later.
How much does a general contractor charge?
Every project is quoted after we visit the site and review the scope with you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and we’ll give you a written estimate.
Where We Build
Design-build contracting across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Based in New Castle, we design and build remodels, renovations and new construction anywhere within about 90 minutes of our shop, covering the entire Pittsburgh area and the communities around it.
Premier Custom Builders
4471A Mitchell Road, New Castle, PA 16105
724-944-0920 · By appointment
PA HIC #028559