Design-Build with Huff Construction: One Team, One Goal: Getting Your Project Built

At Huff Construction, we know that getting a project out of the ground is one of the hardest parts of commercial development. That’s why our design-build approach brings the entire team — architect, engineers, consultants, builder, and owner — together early to streamline the path to construction. It takes a team that understands entitlements, timelines, budgets, and the risks developers face when trying to bring a project out of the ground.

Huff Construction’s design-build delivery method is structured for real estate developers, commercial property owners, and organizations looking for a more efficient, cost-controlled way to move their projects forward. By bringing the architect, builder, and owner together early, Huff helps align the design with constructability, keep budgets in check, and get to construction faster.

Diagram comparing Traditional Project Delivery versus Design-Build Project Delivery. In the traditional model, the owner contracts separately with the architect and contractor, who then coordinate with subconsultants and subcontractors. In the design-build model, the owner contracts directly with one design-build team, streamlining communication and coordination with subcontractors. Huff Construction logo shown under the design-build section.


More Than a Commercial Contractor. A True Development Ally.

At Huff, we’ve led dozens of projects from early concept through final delivery. What sets our approach apart is how deeply we integrate with our clients’ goals. From day one, we treat the project as if it were our own investment, offering practical insight, budget alignment, and a clear path to construction.

We work with:

  • Commercial developers seeking full-scope project delivery

  • Clients working under tight deadlines tied to grants, financing, or entitlements

  • Owners who want to eliminate costly redesigns and reduce change orders

  • Teams who need real-time pricing feedback and cost control from the start

Some clients come to us with entitlements already secured and need help completing drawings. Others start from the beginning and need a partner to lead the entire process. Either way, Huff helps move the project forward by reducing risk, improving communication, and accelerating delivery.


A Three-Phase Approach to Design-Build Delivery

Our commercial design-build process follows three proven phases:

1. Entitlements and Early Planning

We support land use approvals, utility coordination, and site planning alongside your team. Our early involvement helps you anticipate jurisdictional constraints, avoid costly changes, and make informed development decisions.

2. Construction Drawings and Preconstruction

We work closely with your design team through design development and construction documents, providing real-time pricing feedback, constructability reviews, and subcontractor input. This collaboration prevents over-design, keeps plans aligned with the budget, and eliminates surprises during bidding.

3. Construction and Final Delivery

Once plans are finalized, we seamlessly transition into construction. Our team already understands the project goals, schedule, and design intent. This eliminates delays and helps compress the timeline to final occupancy.

We are flexible in where we enter the process, but our strongest results come from leading all three phases.


Case Study: Sierra Vista Wellness Center

Exterior view of the Sierra Vista Wellness Center, a grant-funded design-build project by Huff Construction

When Sierra Vista Child and Family Services secured a state grant to build a new wellness center, strict application and construction deadlines left no room for delays. Huff stepped in as the design-build contractor, quickly aligning the budget with the available grant funds, fast-tracking the design process, and delivering the project on schedule.

Today, this center serves youth and families in South Modesto and stands as an example of what can be accomplished when a builder and client work in lockstep from day one.


Case Study: Wallis Ranch Kindred House

Wallis Ranch Kindred House Dublin California

At Wallis Ranch in Dublin, California, Huff delivered an award winning community building using our design-build process. From early planning, we helped guide the decision to use a pre-engineered metal building to reduce costs and accelerate delivery. The finished space supports the residential community’s vision for shared wellness and recreation, all built with efficiency and durability in mind.


Other Notable Design-Build Projects

  • Dust Bowl Brewing Co. – Turlock, CA
    A flagship taproom and production facility delivered through design-build, balancing aesthetics and operational needs.

  • Jelly Belly – Fairfield, CA
    A 106,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center designed and built to support long-term growth.
    Photo of the Jelly Belly warehouse expansion construction

  • Surgical Artistry – Modesto, CA
    A medical office facility tailored for high-end cosmetic service providers.
    Surgical Artistry Modesto

  • Save Mart #001 – Redding, CA
    Ground-up grocery store delivered through design-build to improve speed to market.

  • Sutter Tracy Care Center – Tracy, CA
    A healthcare expansion coordinated and built with strict regulatory compliance.
    Aerial Photo of the Sutter Gould Tracy Care Center in Tracy, California


Why Developers Choose Huff for Design-Build

  • Early budget clarity and alignment

  • Streamlined approvals and jurisdictional coordination

  • Fewer redesigns and change orders

  • Single-source accountability

  • Faster transitions from design to construction

  • A builder that understands the business side of development

From healthcare and retail to industrial, hospitality, and nonprofit community spaces, Huff Construction has delivered design-build success for decades. We are more than a contractor. We are your partner in getting the job built.


Let’s Talk About Your Next Project

If you’re in the early stages of planning or need to bring a stalled project across the finish line, Huff Construction is ready to help.

Call us: (209) 545-7505
Email: info@huffcon.com
Explore Our Projects

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