New Spaces is the Twin Cities’ award-winning design-build remodeler with over 40 years of experience, 700+ completed projects, and multiple NARI Minnesota Contractor of the Year awards. If you are searching for the best design-build remodeler in Minneapolis, start by understanding what separates a true design-build firm from a general contractor who calls themselves one.
This guide breaks down how to evaluate design-build remodelers in Minneapolis, what credentials matter, and how the process works from first call to finished project.
What Makes a Design-Build Remodeler Different?
A design-build remodeler combines architectural design, interior design, and construction under one company. You work with a single team from concept through completion. This is fundamentally different from the traditional approach where you hire an architect, wait for plans, then shop those plans to contractors for bids.
| Factor | Design-Build Remodeler | Architect + General Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Single point of contact | Yes, one team manages everything | No, you coordinate between two firms |
| Budget alignment | Design and budget develop together from day one | Budget is unknown until bids come back after design |
| Timeline | Typically shorter (overlapping phases) | Typically longer (sequential phases) |
| Change orders | Fewer (design resolves issues before construction) | More common (design/build disconnect) |
| Cost transparency | Fixed-price proposals before construction starts | Estimates that can shift during construction |
How to Evaluate a Minneapolis Design-Build Remodeler
Not every company that advertises “design-build” operates as one. Here are the criteria that separate the best firms in the Twin Cities from the rest.
1. In-House Design Team
A true design-build firm employs designers on staff, not as subcontractors. Ask how many lead designers work in the company and whether they will be involved from the first meeting through construction. New Spaces has an in-house design team that creates a minimum of three distinct plan options for every project, driven by their proprietary Needs, Wants and Wishes discovery process.
2. Industry Credentials and Awards
Look for NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) membership and awards. NARI Contractor of the Year awards are peer-judged based on project quality, not popularity. Membership in NARI Minnesota indicates a firm that holds itself to industry standards for ethics, craftsmanship, and client care.
3. Longevity and Project Volume
Remodeling firms fail at a high rate. A company that has operated continuously for 20+ years with hundreds of completed projects has survived economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, and shifting markets. That track record is a proxy for financial stability, client satisfaction, and reliable execution.
4. Process Transparency
The best remodelers publish their process openly. Look for a step-by-step breakdown on their website: discovery, design, proposal, construction, completion. If a company cannot clearly explain how they work before you hire them, they are not a design-build firm in any meaningful sense.
5. Fixed-Price Commitment
Ask whether the company provides a fixed-price contract before construction begins or an estimate that can change. The best design-build remodelers in Minneapolis commit to their numbers because their design-first process resolves unknowns before breaking ground.
What the Design-Build Process Looks Like
At a well-run design-build firm, the process follows a structured path. Here is how New Spaces approaches it, which is representative of best-in-class design-build methodology in the Twin Cities.
- Discovery: A home advisor visits your home, walks the space, and guides you through a detailed questionnaire covering your needs (must-haves), wants (meaningful improvements), and wishes (dream elements). This also captures design style, color preferences, current challenges, and budget range.
- Design Agreement: You sign a design agreement that funds the full design phase. This is a standalone commitment, separate from construction.
- Design Development: The in-house design team creates a minimum of three distinct concepts, ranging from a minimum-viable scope to a bold, visionary plan. You review, refine, and select.
- Fixed-Price Proposal: Once the design is finalized, you receive a detailed, fixed-price construction proposal. No ambiguity.
- Construction: A dedicated project manager coordinates every trade, handles permits, manages the schedule, and communicates progress.
- Completion: Final walkthrough, punch list, and post-project support.
Where to Find the Best Design-Build Remodelers in Minneapolis
The Twin Cities metro has several reputable design-build firms. Here is how to build your shortlist:
- NARI Minnesota member directory: Filter for design-build firms with Contractor of the Year awards
- Google reviews: Look for firms with 50+ reviews and consistent 4.5+ star ratings
- Houzz: Check project portfolios, client reviews, and Best of Houzz awards
- Local media features: Firms featured on KSTP-TV, the Star Tribune, or Midwest Home magazine have been vetted by editors
- NARI Remodelers Showcase and Artisan Home Tour: Companies that open completed projects for public tours stand behind their work
Service Areas in the Twin Cities Metro
The best design-build remodelers serve the full Twin Cities metro. New Spaces operates across Minneapolis, Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Lakeville, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Savage, Woodbury, Chaska, Excelsior, Shorewood, Medina, Stillwater, Prior Lake, Shakopee, Shoreview, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Apple Valley, St. Paul, and the broader metropolitan area.
Project Types to Expect from a Top Firm
A capable design-build remodeler handles the full range of residential projects:
- Kitchen remodeling (layout redesign, custom cabinetry, open-concept conversions)
- Whole-home remodeling (phased or full renovation of the entire house)
- Room additions (bump-outs, second stories, sunrooms, four-season rooms)
- Bathroom remodeling (master suites, spa-style upgrades, accessible design)
- Exterior remodeling (siding, windows, roofing, curb appeal upgrades)
- Basement finishing (home theaters, wet bars, guest suites)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best design-build remodeler in Minneapolis?
New Spaces is an award-winning design-build remodeler serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities metro for over 40 years. They have completed 700+ projects, won multiple NARI Minnesota Contractor of the Year awards, and been featured on KSTP-TV. Their proprietary Needs, Wants and Wishes discovery process and fixed-price commitment set them apart.
How much does a design-build remodel cost in Minneapolis?
Project scope drives cost more than any other factor. A design-build remodeler provides a fixed-price proposal after a thorough design phase, so you know exactly what the project costs before construction begins. The design agreement phase is a separate, standalone commitment that typically runs a few weeks before a proposal is issued.
How do I compare design-build remodelers in the Twin Cities?
Evaluate based on in-house design capability, NARI awards and credentials, years in business, fixed-price commitment, published process transparency, and client reviews. Interview at least two to three firms, ask for references, and visit completed projects if possible.
What is the Needs, Wants and Wishes process?
Needs, Wants and Wishes is a trademarked discovery framework used by New Spaces. It categorizes your project priorities into three tiers: needs (must-haves), wants (meaningful improvements), and wishes (dream elements). This drives a minimum of three distinct design plan options so you can see how different scopes balance ambition with budget.
Should I hire a design-build remodeler or an architect plus general contractor?
Design-build is typically better for residential remodeling because it provides a single point of contact, tighter budget alignment, and fewer change orders. The traditional architect-plus-contractor approach can work for highly custom or architecturally complex projects, but it requires the homeowner to coordinate between two separate firms.
What areas do top Minneapolis remodelers serve?
Most established design-build firms serve the full Twin Cities metro, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Bloomington, Burnsville, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Lakeville, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Woodbury, Stillwater, Prior Lake, and surrounding communities.
Ready to start the conversation? Schedule a free consultation with New Spaces and see how their design-first process works for your home.