The prefix “design” encompasses all of the following ''in-house'' licensed professional disciplines: architect, engineer, surveyor, planners, and “all” trades needed to complete the design aspect objective. The suffix “build” bottom line encompasses a head licensed, insured, and bonded “general contractor” and all the needed licensed contractors under him/her (referred to as subs); plumping, drywall, masonry, etc...

A design-build firm can be the owner of its own project and in some cases can finance their own project; this is not a criteria to be a dubbed a deign-build firm. Design-build companies find it more cost effective to hire all these trades under one roof on one or more projects, than to outsource the trades. Some design-build firms go a step further by hiring “under one-roof” for one or more projects, their own marketing staff, sales team, realtors, underwriters, etc… Two steps forward, by supplying (stock piling) their own raw materials needed in construction; dirt, limestone, etc… In some cases, when it’s beneficial or cost-effective for a design-build firm, they outsource or partner up with architects, environmentalist, technicians, surveyors, interior designers, etc...

Design built firms are not necessarily design-build firms, but are built with the aspect of design, and exclude the physical construction of the project. In general terms, a design built company is literary in terms; a company built on design, which shouldn't be confused with design-build as mentioned above.