FAQs

The design + build model delivers a seamless, high-level process by bringing design and construction under one roof. Unlike the traditional architect bid model, where an architect designs and contractors compete to build, design + build fosters early collaboration and alignment. This ensures the design matches the budget and schedule, reducing costly surprises and delays.

With a single team handling every phase, communication stays sharp, efficiency stays high, and execution stays on point. Accountability is streamlined, meaning fewer gaps and more precision, quality, and care throughout the project.

Yet, design + build doesn’t replace the architect model, it enhances it. Through an Iterative Design Process (IDP), we integrate seamlessly with architects and interior designers, fostering a collaborative loop that refines ideas, maintains feasibility, and elevates the end product. We love partnering with design professionals who share our commitment to quality and detail.

This approach reflects a commitment to doing things right, the first time. It’s an investment in a smoother, more refined experience, free from the friction of managing multiple parties. The result? Projects delivered on time, on budget, and at a standard that doesn’t just meet expectations but raises the bar.  

Read a fun article that Emily wrote on the DB model: https://www.kellowconstruction.com/blog/what-is-a-design-build-company

Our team is experienced in developing projects ranging from simple pull and replace bathrooms to large scale full interior remodels, always with a focus on thoughtful architectural design inside and out. From kitchens and bathrooms to whole home renovations, we guide clients through a clear, well managed design build process that blends creativity with craftsmanship. Whether it is updating a single space or reimagining an entire home, we focus on delivering remodels that are both beautiful and built to last.

What makes us especially well positioned is the close collaboration between our design and construction teams. We manage everything from early planning, permitting, and budgeting through construction, interior design, and final finishes—even down to furnishings. While we love to design, we truly enjoy seeing those designs built, which means every detail must be feasible structurally and financially. We take pride in creating spaces that feel timeless, functional, and perfectly tailored to the families who live in them.

We follow a design build process, which starts with a quick intro call to see if we’re the right fit. On that call, we’ll talk through your project goals, investment range, and timeline. We’ll also explain our approach and walk you through the next steps. If it feels like a good match for everyone, we’ll schedule a home consultation. We ask that all key decision makers be present for both the call and the site visit.

If the home consultation goes well, the next step is Phase 1: Initial Design and Budget Development. During this phase, we create early design concepts and a preliminary estimate so you can evaluate whether the probable cost feels like a good fit before moving forward. If you choose to continue, we enter Phase 2: Full Design, where we refine the details and present a comprehensive fixed price proposal. Once approved, we hand everything off to our Production team along with a fully developed and detailed plan of action.

Our lead time for beginning design and preconstruction phases on new projects usually ranges from 14 to 30 days. We only enter these phases with clients who have reviewed our preliminary Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates and feel comfortable moving forward with us as their general contractor. This can be appealing compared to the longer lead times often given by other local or out of area designers and architects. As for construction, the timeline can vary depending on the scope of work and the permitting process. However, we pride ourselves on having beautiful buildable designs, being efficient and having a much quicker turnaround than many of our competitors.

It is common to want multiple bids out of concern for getting the best deal. Our take? Meet with a few firms and choose the one you feel most confident in, the team you enjoy being around, who will serve your family well, communicate clearly and consistently, and stand behind their work with a strong warranty and long-term presence.

In Santa Barbara, many quality builders are using the same trusted vendors, lumber yards, and trade partners. If you were to bid out the exact same scope of work, down to the cabinet hinges and dimmer switches, with two companies who offer the same level of service, the prices would likely be nearly identical.

So while price matters, we believe the better approach is to choose based on trust, communication, and alignment. Then let your chosen contractor design a scope that fits your budget and negotiate pricing on your behalf.

We’d love to schedule a call to see if we’re the right fit for your project, and we appreciate you considering us. Please submit your form and upload your plans here.  Once you’ve submitted, you can schedule a call right away. If it feels like a match, we’ll hit the ground running.

When comparing us to other builders, it’s worth considering what sets us apart. Because we offer in-house design services, we can take over design construction admin work from your architect, if needed. Our estimates reflect a complete, all in number that captures every detail, right down to cabinet hardware and paint colors.

Be wary of builders who offer low ball estimates just to win the job, then shift responsibility for thousands of details to your design team. That’s a recipe for surprise costs and frustration.

Another key difference: we offer a fixed price contract, not a cost plus model. In our preconstruction phase, we work closely with your design team to finalize every detail, gather input from trade partners, and deliver a clear, final cost. Our goal is to give you an honest look at your total investment while minimizing scope creep that could turn your vision into a headache.

If this approach resonates, let’s talk. We’re here to deliver a smooth, high quality experience grounded in integrity, organization, and service.

That’s no problem at all. Some of our favorite projects have come from collaborations with outside architects and designers. We bring the same hands-on, team based approach working closely with your design partner from the beginning to help keep plans buildable and budgets grounded in reality.

In these cases, we typically move forward under a modified Preconstruction Agreement rather than a full Design Agreement. It’s a great way to ensure continuity, clarity, and alignment from the start.

As a design and build firm, we only take on design work for projects we plan to build. Our team is intentionally sized to support the amount of work we can execute in the field, and we do not offer design-only services.

More importantly, we love seeing our projects come to life. It would be a shame to design something thoughtful and beautiful and not get to build it with the same care and attention that went into the plans.

We specialize in residential remodels and have also done several ADUs, which we really enjoy. They’re a great way to add meaningful space for family or create a high end rental that increases your property’s value and income potential. That said, these are not budget builds. Our ADUs are custom designed to fit the specific needs of each site and client.

As a general guide, our ADU projects typically start around $550,000. We’ve seen a few come in closer to $350k, but only when the scope is extremely simple, the size is very small and the conditions are just right. We’re happy to talk through those possibilities on a call, but in our experience, most projects don’t fall into that lower bracket.

If you're looking for a thoughtful, design forward build and a team who can guide you through the complexities of your project with care, we might be a great fit. If you're shopping for the cheapest ADU on the market, we’re likely not the right match, and that’s okay too.

This is a helpful tool when talking about new construction, but is unfortunately not a relevant or meaningful number in remodeling.

Thank you, that’s nice of you to say! If you haven’t already, please go here and schedule a consultation—that’s the first step in our process. If you’ve already done this, the next step will be to book your initial call. If it seems like a good fit, we would book a site visit and take it from there. You can read about our process here. Our roadmap is a great visual and super helpful for potential clients to see how we work. You can always call or email the office at 805-225-3310 or office@kellowconstruction.com.

We love referrals! We are primarily referral based.  Thank you for trusting us with your people.  What an honor.