The advantages of an integrated renovation project
The approach adopted to design and implement a renovation project will be decisive in determining its chances of success. At ESPÉ, we believe that an integrated approach is the optimal recipe for a quality renovation, at the best price and within the shortest possible timeframe. Let’s compare this integrated approach for a moment with what we refer to here as the “traditional approach.”
The Traditional Approach to Renovation
The traditional approach involves undertaking a project by entrusting the design (design-architecture) to one or more independent firms, before issuing a call for tenders to select the contractor who will carry out the work. The contractor will not have been involved, consulted, or given any responsibility for defining the concept and its solutions. Therefore, conceived in this way, the architecture and design of the project lack the expertise and accountability of the general contractor. The designer will focus on the needs, without necessarily rigorously validating the technical solutions or the budget in advance. The result of this approach will invariably result in tense situations, as explained later.
Key indicators:
The Integrated Approach
Our integrated approach brings together all the skills needed to ensure a successful project, from the first pencil stroke to the last. Throughout the process, we leverage architectural, interior design, and renovation expertise to deliver the best project, aligned with your parameters. We validate technical assumptions from the preliminary concept stage, evaluate the costs of solutions, and, during execution, adjust plans with input from all parties.
Risks of the Traditional Approach
The traditional approach, which separates design from execution, has several drawbacks:
Difficulty finding contractors:
It’s difficult to attract busy contractors to submit bids. It’s also difficult to get them available quickly.
Overbudget Costs:
Bids are often higher than the planned budget. This leads to cost and time overruns, or worse, project abandonment.
The Risks of Separating Design from Construction
Lack of Technical Validation:
If the contractor discovers the plans during the call for tenders, their expertise is not taken into account. They cannot suggest solutions that would save money.
Unvalidated Execution Costs:
Designing without understanding industry costs is very risky. At ESPÉ, we are in constant contact with market costs to optimize the technical solution and stay within your budget.
Interpretation of Plans:
Plans can be interpreted in different ways. If there is a disagreement, it can result in increased costs for the client.
Lack of Knowledge of Your Needs:
A contractor who is not involved in the design process is unaware of your needs. They could miss the mark if there are any surprises on the construction site.
Plans That Don’t Evolve:
Plans must continue to evolve on the construction site to adapt to reality. At ESPÉ, we adapt them throughout the project for a perfect result.
You become the manager: If we hire multiple people, we become the project manager, which adds workload and stress.
The ESPÉ Integrated Approach
Our integrated approach is more than a consolidation of services. It’s a model where functions are organized in an agile manner. We’ve already used a model where design and construction are separate departments, and we realized it caused many of the same problems as the traditional approach.
That’s why our operating model is different. We work with multidisciplinary teams. Each project is assigned to a team that possesses all the necessary skills: architecture, design, renovation, estimation, and coordination. All team members work together, every day, for your benefit. We take care of everything, even you.
Tell us about your project
Every project is a story. A meeting between your vision and our expertise. In Montreal and the surrounding area, we bring to life renovations that combine aesthetics, functionality, and durability.