Design-Build Contractor Serving Massachusetts & New Hampshire
One team, one contract, one point of accountability from design through post build support
One Team. One Contract. Zero Finger-Pointing.
Design-build means one company handles design, permitting and construction under a single contract. Bradford Construction Management is a design-build contractor based in Plaistow, NH, serving the North Shore, the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. One team carries your project from the first site visit to the final walkthrough, and Bradford Home Services stays on after that.
In a traditional project, you hire a designer first, then a builder, often through separate contracts. When something on site does not match the drawings, it is not always clear whose problem it is, and design decisions can get made without construction costs in mind. You end up coordinating between them. Learn how Bradford Construction Management works.
With design-build, we handle the concept, permitting and construction, and our clients keep a direct line to Bradford Home Services once the project is done. Explore our full range of construction services or get in touch to start the conversation.
Start Your Project- Single contract covering design and construction
- Design decisions informed by real construction costs
- Changes documented and approved in writing before they happen
- A named project team and a client portal
- One schedule from first sketch to move-in
Design-Build vs. Hiring a Designer and a Builder Separately
Both approaches can produce a good home. The difference is who you hire, who is accountable when the plans and the build do not line up, and when you find out what it costs.
| Design-Build with BCM | Designer, Then a Builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you hire | One company for design, permitting and construction | A designer or architect, then a builder, often chosen by bid |
| Who is accountable | One team under one contract | Split between the design firm and the builder |
| When you see pricing | Costs are estimated as the design develops, so the plans stay tied to a budget | Builder pricing comes after the plans are finished |
| How changes are handled | Documented and approved in writing before they happen | Worked out between you, the designer and the builder |
| Updates during construction | Daily job-site photos and a client portal | Depends on the builder you hire |
| After the build | Bradford Home Services stays on for maintenance, repairs and future improvements | Usually ends at closeout |
| Best fit when | You want one point of contact and a budget that tracks the design | You already have finished plans and want to bid them out |
How We Do Design-Build Differently
Commercial construction discipline applied to residential projects.
Daily Photo Documentation
Every active day, you receive timestamped photos with clear descriptions. No more wondering what's happening on your job site.
Transparent Pricing
Clear contracts with defined scope. Every cost is documented before it happens, and any change goes through our written change order process before work begins.
Commercial-Grade PM
Founder Rick White spent his career running large commercial builds. Every project has a project manager, a superintendent and a project executive, with real schedules and real milestones.
One Team Throughout
The same project manager guides you from feasibility through completion. No handoffs, no starting over with new people.
Full Permit Handling
We prepare documentation, submit applications, coordinate with building departments, and schedule inspections.
Your Builder for Life
After the final walkthrough, Bradford Home Services, our sister division, stays on for seasonal maintenance, repairs and future improvements. One trusted number before, during and after the build.
How Design-Build Pricing Works at Bradford Construction Management
How a project is priced depends on what you are building. In every case, every cost is documented before it happens, and changes are approved in writing before they happen.
A Defined Scope With Transparent Allowances
The scope is defined in detail before construction starts, with clear allowances for the items you select, like fixtures and finishes. If you want to change the scope, the change is priced and approved in writing first.
Home additionsOpen-Book Budget Targets
Line-item estimates become budget targets, and monthly billing shows actual costs. When we come in under budget on a line, the savings stay with your project. Before any number, we confirm twelve site items that decide what a build on your lot costs.
What a custom home costsCost-Plus With a Not-to-Exceed Budget
ADUs are priced on a transparent cost-plus delivery model, with a detailed estimated not-to-exceed budget before construction. You see costs tracked openly against that budget as the work moves forward.
ADU pricing and processYour Project Journey
From first conversation to move-in day and beyond. Building a custom home? See the full 7-phase design-build process.
See What Happened on Your Job Site Every Day
Every Bradford Construction Management client gets a client portal through Buildertrend. Your schedule, daily field reports, selections and change orders live in one place, so you are never chasing a text or an email to find out where things stand.
It is the same kind of documentation used on large commercial projects, applied to your home. Existing clients can log in through our Buildertrend account access page.
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Project scheduleWhat is happening this week and what comes next
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Daily field reports and photosWhat happened on site today
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SelectionsFixtures, finishes and the decisions still open
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RFIs and change ordersEvery question and change, documented and approved
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Job-cost reportingWhere the budget stands
One Team, One Contract: End-to-End Design-Build Accountability
From ground-up custom homes to whole-home renovations. View our full services overview or browse completed projects.
Custom Homes
Ground-up new construction with integrated design. Energy-efficient systems, complete site planning. See our design-build process for custom homes.
Learn moreHome Additions
Second-story additions, family room expansions, garage additions. Designed to tie into your existing home's structure, roofline and systems.
Learn moreWhole-Home Renovations
Complete gut-and-rebuild projects, historic home updates, open-concept conversions.
Learn moreADUs & In-Law Suites
Accessory dwelling units for aging parents, rental income, or flexible living.
Learn moreKitchen Remodels
Full kitchen transformations as part of larger renovation projects or as standalone remodels.
Learn moreBathroom Remodels
Primary bath transformations, guest bath updates, and full gut-and-rebuild bathroom projects with premium finishes.
Learn moreFeatured Projects
See how our integrated design-build approach works on real projects. View all projects →
Exeter, NH Custom Home
A ground-up ICF custom home showing our full design-build process. One team managed every phase, from initial concept through the final walkthrough.
View ProjectWest Newbury, MA Whole-Home Renovation
What started as a dormer addition became a near-complete structural rebuild, restructured from the inside so the home could stay at its original height in a flood zone.
View ProjectBeverly First Floor Renovation
Complete first-floor transformation including open-concept living, a new kitchen, and updated systems. Daily documentation kept the homeowners informed throughout the project.
View ProjectWhere We Work
Serving Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire from our Plaistow, NH headquarters.
Massachusetts
- Haverhill
- Newburyport
- Amesbury
- Andover
- North Andover
- Beverly
- Ipswich
- Georgetown
- Groveland
- Boxford
- West Newbury
- Merrimac
New Hampshire
- Plaistow (headquarters)
- Exeter
- Salem
- Surrounding areas
What Our Clients Say About Working With BCM
Reviews from our renovation and rebuild clients, in their own words.
The final result was jaw-dropping.
"Bradford Construction was phenomenal on our multi-stage, 10-month complete rebuild. Due to a burst pipe in an upstairs sink, most of our home was flooded and had to be completely rebuilt from the studs-up. Rick and the whole crew at Bradford Construction surpassed any expectations we had going into the project."
It's hard to find a team this consistent.
"I've been working with Bradford Construction Management for several years now, and they've consistently delivered high-quality work. They're professional, reliable, and take pride in what they do."
Common Questions About Design-Build
Design-build is a project delivery method where one company handles both design and construction under a single contract. You work with one team from concept through completion, so there is one point of accountability instead of two. Learn more about Bradford Construction Management.
In a traditional project, you hire a designer to create plans, then bid those plans to builders, and builder pricing comes after the design is done. With design-build, one team prices the work as the design develops and is accountable for both. See the side-by-side comparison.
Cost depends on the type and size of the project, your site and your finish level. For published ranges, see what a custom home costs and our ADU pricing. Additions and renovations are priced on a defined scope after a feasibility review. Explore financing options, or start with a free consultation.
Timeline depends on scope, design complexity and how long your town takes to issue permits. Design and permitting come before construction starts, so plan for that time up front. We give you a detailed schedule during your consultation and keep it current in your client portal.
Every contract starts with a documented scope covering design, permitting, construction and project management. Allowances cover the items you select, like fixtures and finishes. Nothing changes without your written approval first.
Every day your project is active, you receive timestamped photos with descriptions of work completed, what's scheduled next, and any decisions needed. Your schedule, field reports, selections and change orders are also in your client portal. This approach comes from commercial construction practices.
Bradford Home Services, our sister division, stays on after the final walkthrough for seasonal maintenance, repairs and future improvements. You have one trusted number to call for anything your home needs.
Yes. Permitting is included in our scope. We prepare all documentation, submit applications, coordinate with building departments, and schedule all required inspections.
We serve Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, including the North Shore, the Merrimack Valley and Southern NH communities, from our headquarters in Plaistow, NH. Contact us to confirm availability for your location.
Yes. Bradford Construction Management holds Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor registration #201908 and carries comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Start Your Conversation
Tell us about your project. We'll reach out within one business day.