Plan your Los Angeles design and construction team.
A homeowner should not have to guess whether to call an architect, interior designer, surveyor or soils engineer. Start with the project and property; then assemble the professionals the work actually needs.
Published by DG Builders Inc. · CA contractor license #1067237 · Updated
Design-build or a separate architect and contractor?
These terms describe how responsibility is organized. A design-build arrangement places design and construction with one contracted entity. With a separate architect and builder, the homeowner engages each for its own work. Early contractor input can also help the design team consider construction questions before the drawings are complete.
| Arrangement | How the team connects | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Design-build | One entity takes contractual responsibility for design and construction, with the professionals' roles defined for the project. | Who provides architectural and engineering services, what is included, and who coordinates decisions? |
| Separate architect and contractor | The architect develops the design; the contractor builds the agreed scope. They coordinate through the project documents and agreed roles. | Which drawing revision is being priced, who handles design changes, and when is construction input needed? |
Terminology reference: AIA and AGC's primer on project delivery methods.
How DG Builders coordinates design and construction.
DG Builders is the general contractor. We coordinate construction planning with your architect, engineers, interior designer and trades. Your project agreements should identify the professionals providing design services and the responsibilities, deliverables and fees of each team member.
If you already have an architect, share the latest drawings and the decisions still open. If you are starting with an idea, use the planner below to organize the property information and the professional input you may need. We can help assemble and coordinate the team around a defined construction scope.
- Before pricing: Review the current drawing set, site information, intended finishes and the work included in the proposal.
- Before ordering: Coordinate dimensions, appliance and fixture choices, material selections and the items still carried as allowances.
- During construction: Bring questions back to the responsible professional, document agreed changes and coordinate the trade and inspection sequence.
Our portfolio includes a completed West Hills home rebuild and two Sherman Oaks rebuilds. In her Google review, homeowner MaryLou Hopwood describes working with Oren and DG Builders on her Calabasas home rebuild and ADU, including architect meetings, city coordination, permits and construction. Read the homeowner's account.
Compare the construction scope for a custom home, teardown and rebuild, whole-home remodel or home addition.
Who do you need first?
Answer three quick questions. We will show the likely team, then carry your answers into a private consultation request.
- DG Builders preconstruction lead
- Architect
- Licensed surveyor
- Structural engineer
- Title 24 consultant
- Soils / geotechnical engineer (when site or scope requires)
This is a planning guide, not a determination of required consultants. Site conditions and the reviewing agency determine the final team.
Who should you call first?
For a new home, addition or major remodel, start with property feasibility, an architect and early contractor/preconstruction input. That first review should test zoning, budget and buildability before the design becomes expensive to change. For furnishings and finish-only work, an interior designer may lead.
Architect, interior designer or furniture designer?
| Professional | Main job | Typical questions |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | Building concept, plans, code coordination and consultant team. | What can fit, how spaces connect, what drawings are required? |
| Interior designer | Interior planning, cabinetry, lighting, materials, fixtures and details. | How should the home function and feel? |
| Furniture / styling designer | Furniture, rugs, art, window treatments and final composition. | What completes the rooms after construction? |
What is a survey?
A licensed survey documents property boundaries and may show topography, grades, structures, easements and other site information. The architect and engineers use it as a reliable base instead of designing from an online parcel image.
What is a soils report?
A geotechnical—or soils—engineer investigates soil and site conditions. Depending on the project, the report may guide foundations, retaining walls, slopes, excavation, drainage and seismic recommendations. Not every interior remodel needs one; hillside, basement, retaining-wall and ground-up projects commonly need closer review.
Who else may join the team?
- Structural engineer: foundations, framing, beams and seismic calculations.
- Title 24 consultant: California energy-compliance documents.
- Civil engineer: grading, drainage and utilities when required.
- Permit coordinator: submittals, corrections and agency communication.
- General contractor: pricing, scheduling, procurement and construction.
How do you pull a permit in Los Angeles?
- 01
Check the property
Review jurisdiction, zoning, overlays, records and scope.
- 02
Create the base information
Obtain survey and geotechnical information when required.
- 03
Design and coordinate
Architect, designer and engineers develop one plan set.
- 04
Submit for plan check
The agency reviews documents and issues correction comments.
- 05
Resolve and issue
The team responds, pays fees and obtains the permit.
How do you choose a good architect or designer?
- Ask for relevant work in the same project type and jurisdiction.
- Confirm who produces drawings and coordinates engineers.
- Request a written scope covering deliverables, revisions, plan check and construction support.
- Check the license of any professional whose work requires one.
- Compare communication, references and problem-solving—not only the fee.
- Ask what is excluded and who owns consultant coordination.
What should you bring to a first project review?
- The property location and the work you want to build.
- Available plans, surveys, reports and the current drawing revision.
- The professionals already involved and your design or permit stage.
- Your budget range, target timing and any living-at-home requirements.
- Selections already made and decisions you want help organizing.
For a local project, start with our West Hills design and construction planning or Woodland Hills contractor guide. For a coastal rebuild, share the actual parcel and current documents when discussing Pacific Palisades or Malibu.
Let's organize your project team.
Use the planner to identify the professionals you may need, or send your existing plans for a construction conversation.
Build your project team Request a project reviewOfficial starting points
Los Angeles Planning: ZIMAS property searchLADBS: plan check and permitsCalifornia Architects Board: license search