Is a design-and-build company the same as one point of contact?

Not quite. A design-and-build contractor gives you one contract, but the person you talk to works for the builder. One point of contact on your side means someone independent who designs the house, leads the build and checks the builder’s work and invoices on your behalf.

Do I still sign a contract with the builder?

Yes. With the Single Point you contract the builder directly on a standard JCT contract, and we administer it for you. That keeps the money flowing directly between you and the builder, with us checking every invoice first.

What happens if something goes wrong on site?

You call one person. We assess it, agree the fix with the builder and the designers, tell you what it means for cost and programme, and record it in your Cost Tracker. You’re never left to arbitrate between trades.

What “one point of contact” actually means

Lots of companies promise one point of contact for your house build. Here’s what it should really mean — and the questions to ask before you sign.

“One point of contact” is one of the most used phrases in the building industry. It’s also one of the least defined. Here’s what it should mean.

The problem it solves

A typical one-off house involves a designer, a structural engineer, surveyors, building control, a main contractor, a dozen trades and suppliers. When something goes wrong, each of them has a reason it’s someone else’s problem. The client ends up as the project manager by default — usually without the time or the technical background to do it.

What it should mean

One person who knows everything. Not a call centre, not an account manager — the person who designed your house and is running its construction.

On your side of the table. If your contact works for the builder, their job is the builder’s interest. Independence means no hidden mark-up on trades or materials, and decisions made for you.

Responsible for the whole thing. Design, programme, budget, quality, safety, compliance and handover. Not “we’ll pass that on.”

Transparent about money. You should see every invoice, every variation and the forecast final cost, all the time — not at the end.

We work for you — not the builder. You see every cost, and every decision is made in your interest.

Questions to ask before you sign

Who exactly will I speak to — and do they have the technical knowledge to answer?
Do you take any mark-up or commission from builders, trades or suppliers?
Who checks invoices before I pay them?
How will I see the budget, committed costs and forecast final cost?
How often will you be on site, and when?
Who acts as Principal Designer?
What happens if the build overruns?

How we do it

The Single Point is design plus full project leadership: one person from first sketch to final key. You pay builders directly; every invoice comes to us first; everything is logged in a shared Cost Tracker. We act as Principal Designer, administer your contract, are on site at every critical stage, and send a progress report every week.