How to Select the Design Company that Best Fits Your Needs

One of the most critical decisions you’ll need to make with any project involves choosing the right design company to address your specific needs and goals. The success of any building systems design project hinges on the expertise, experience and creativity of the company you work with. The right design company can bring your vision to life while ensuring you achieve the functionality and efficiency you need.

There are many different design companies available to handle your next project, and selecting the right firm that best fits your needs can be an overwhelming process. By focusing on the following criteria, you can identify the perfect partner for your unique needs.

Experience in Your Specific Application

When evaluating potential design companies, it’s critical to make sure they have extensive experience in the specific application you require. Building systems design is a broad field covering several different disciplines, including:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Plumbing
• Fire protection
• Fire alarm and special hazards

Each of these applications has its unique set of requirements and challenges, and you’ll need to make sure the company you work with possesses the relevant experience to deliver your desired outcome on your next project. To evaluate the experience of a design company:

• Review their portfolio of past projects – Make sure you see examples that align with the scope and nature of your project. This will demonstrate a proven track record in your area of need, allowing you to evaluate the quality of work they provide.
• Consider the complexity of your project – Is there special expertise required in order to address highly complex aspects of your project? Do they have experience with the technology required to complete your job? Have they demonstrated an ability to provide innovative solutions to sophisticated and nuanced problems in previous work?
• Evaluate the certifications and qualifications of team members – Make sure that the designers on their team possess the necessary credentials for the specific application you need assistance with.

Select a Company That Uses the Same Software as Your Team

Software compatibility is an often overlooked, yet extremely important criteria to evaluate. Software plays a critical role in every building systems design project. Choosing a company that uses the same software as your team will significantly streamline the design process, facilitate collaboration and ensure the work is delivered in a usable format. If the company designs the work in a different software that isn’t compatible with yours, it may prevent your team from being able to use the finished product.

When evaluating design companies, make sure to ask them about the software platforms they use. Make sure they have the proper experience and proficiency in the tools your team uses and have utilized these platforms extensively in previous projects. When you work with a design company that has extensive experience in your software platform, they will be able to leverage its advanced features to deliver superior design solutions.

Ask for References

Always ask for references when selecting a design company for your next project. Speaking to previous clients will provide you with valuable insights and feedback regarding the quality of work you can expect to receive. Make sure to ask for references from clients who had similar project requirements, as this will provide you with the most accurate information.

When checking references, ask about the design company’s:

• Knowledge and experience
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Communication and responsiveness
• Attention to detail
• Overall quality of work
• Ability to troubleshoot challenges and recommend innovative solutions

DesignerHub Can Help You Find the Right Design Company for Your Needs

Finding the right design company can be overwhelming, but it is a critical decision necessary to set your project up for success. At DesignerHub, we can help you navigate the many options vying for your business so that you choose the right firm for your needs.

We are the only designer-focused platform dedicated to connecting you directly with qualified design companies who can help you with your next project. Our Design Company Board will provide you with a list of design companies, engineering firms and freelance designers who provide the services you’re seeking.

When browsing our Design Company Board, look at each company’s profile to make sure you are choosing someone who provides the services you’re looking for:

• Review their drawings to get a sense of the quality of work
• Look over any additional information each company uploads, as this will help you gain a better understanding of who they are and what they do

Once you review a company’s profile, you can contact them directly and ask for a proposal to determine whether they’re a good fit for your needs. Once you contact them directly, the rest of the process will not go through the DesignerHub platform. You’re now dealing directly with the potential provider to get this process completed and agree to work together.

DesignerHub makes the right connections at the right times to help you succeed. Join today to find the right company for your next project.