CPBD vs. Design-Build : Choosing the Right Path for Your Custom Home Design

Curtis Showvaker • April 15, 2025

Understand the Difference Before You Commit



Two men are shaking hands over a blueprint of a house.



When planning a new custom home, one of the first major decisions you’ll face is who will design it. Two common paths are hiring a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) or using a design-build firm. While both approaches offer a path to getting your home built, the experience and outcome can vary significantly depending on which you choose.


If your goal is a truly customized, high-quality, cost-conscious home design, working with a CPBD offers distinct advantages—especially in regions like Upstate South Carolina, the Midlands, or Western North Carolina, where quality design tailored to the landscape is everything.


What Is a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD)?


A CPBD is a credentialed residential design professional certified by the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC). This certification requires:

  • A minimum of 6 years of design experience
  • Passing a rigorous, 4-part national exam
  • Commitment to ongoing education and ethical standards


CPBDs specialize in designing code-compliant residential structures, functional, aesthetically refined, and site-specific—without adding the overhead of a licensed architect or design-build contractor.

Learn more about our custom home design process.


What Is a Design-Build Firm?


A design-build firm combines design and construction under one roof. At first glance, this may seem convenient: one contract, one point of contact. However, it often comes with trade-offs in design quality, flexibility, and cost transparency. Design is frequently driven by construction convenience or internal profit margins, not your long-term vision.


Why a CPBD Is the Better Choice for Designing Your Custom Home


1. Truly Independent Design, Aligned with Your Interests


Unlike design-build firms, a CPBD works exclusively for you, not the builder. That means your designer is focused entirely on:

  • Your goals
  • Your lifestyle
  • Your budget


A design-build firm may prioritize construction efficiency or their internal margins, which can limit creativity, customization, or material options.


2. Better Design for Your Site and Lifestyle


CPBDs specialize in site-responsive design, maximizing views, natural light, airflow, and energy performance. You won’t get a recycled floor plan or forced-fit layout. Instead, your home is designed around:

  • Your lot's terrain
  • Optimal orientation of your home resulting from a solar study
  • Local climate and building codes
  • Your daily routines and preferences


See examples of our custom homes from across the country and throughout Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.


3. Transparent Cost Control


A CPBD can help you make smarter early decisions—like layout efficiency or window sizing—that significantly impact construction costs. Some, including Showvaker Residential Design, also offer construction cost estimating as part of their process, helping you:

  • Prioritize where to spend and where to save
  • Avoid costly redesigns later
  • Stay in control before involving a builder


Design-build firms often keep budgets vague in early phases or upsell during construction.


4. More Flexibility with Builder Selection


When you use a CPBD, you’re not locked into one builder. Instead, you can:

  • Bid the project to multiple contractors
  • Compare pricing, timelines, and experience
  • Choose a builder that aligns with your standards and communication style
  • This flexibility protects you from inflated costs or limited options.


5. Higher Quality Construction Documents


A CPBD produces detailed, builder-ready construction documents—not just conceptual sketches. These include:

  • Site plans
  • Foundation plans
  • Floor plans
  • Reflected ceiling plans
  • Elevations (interior and exterior)
  • Roof plans
  • Framing plans
  • Kitchen, bath, and custom cabinetry plans
  • Sections & details
  • Door & window schedules
  • MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) plans and schedules
  • 3D views and renderings
  • Specifications
  • Landscape plans
  • and more


This results in fewer mistakes, clearer pricing from contractors, and smoother construction.


6. Personalized Guidance Throughout the Process


With a CPBD, you work directly with the designer—not a salesperson or a coordinator. Many, including Showvaker Residential Design, offer construction observation services, helping to:

  • Clarify intent for your builder
  • Resolve field questions quickly
  • Ensure the design is executed as planned


This collaborative support can be rare in design-build workflows.


When Might a Design-Build Firm Make Sense?


In limited cases—like basic renovations, small additions, or repeat-use plans—a design-build firm may be a quick, all-in-one option. But for custom homes, where design quality, site integration, and long-term value matter,  a CPBD offers a far more tailored, transparent, and high-quality experience.


Have more questions about how the design process works? Visit our FAQ page.


How Showvaker Residential Design Helps You Succeed


As a Certified Professional Building Designer and LEED Green Associate, our founder and principal designer specializes in designing luxury custom homes across Upstate SC, the Midlands, and Western NC. Our custom home design process puts your vision, priorities, and budget at the center—so you get a home that truly fits your lifestyle and your land.


From your first conversation through construction, we help you:

  • Clarify your goals and budget
  • Evaluate your site for design opportunities and constraints
  • Develop a custom design tailored to your life
  • Estimate construction costs early
  • Find the right builder
  • Stay confident throughout construction


Ready to Design a Home That Reflects You?


Your custom home deserves more than a prepackaged plan. With a CPBD, you’ll get thoughtful, code-compliant, site-specific design that sets the stage for a beautiful, functional, and enduring home.


Book a Discovery Call to get started today.

Man stretching up to look into dark crawlspace

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Faucet with steaming hot water flowing out of it

The Boiling Point: Mastering the Art of Heating Water

By Showvaker Residential Design • May 25, 2024
Traditional Water Heaters: The Tried and True Traditional water heaters, also known as storage tank water heaters, have been a staple in homes for decades. These systems consist of an insulated tank, typically ranging from 20 to 80 gallons, that continuously heats and stores hot water for on-demand use. How They Work: Cold water enters the tank and is heated by either electric heating elements or a gas burner. As the water is heated, it rises to the top of the tank. A thermostat controls the heating system to maintain the set hot water temperature. When you turn on a hot water tap, the hot water from the top of the tank is supplied. As hot water leaves, cold water refills the tank from the bottom. The heating system continuously reheats the water to keep a supply of hot water stored and ready for use. The thermostat controls the temperature, typically set between 120°F and 140°F, ensuring a constant supply of hot water. Benefits: Cost: Least expensive, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners. Reliability: With a simple design and widely available replacement parts, traditional heaters are known for their dependability and ease of maintenance. Consistent Hot Water Supply: The storage tank ensures a readily available supply of hot water, making them suitable for households with high hot water demands. Drawbacks: Energy Inefficiency: Traditional heaters continuously heat and store water, even when not in use, resulting in significant energy waste and higher utility bills. Limited Capacity: The hot water supply is limited by the tank size, which may not be sufficient for larger households or simultaneous high-demand activities. Shorter Lifespan: With an average lifespan of 8-12 years, traditional heaters require more frequent replacements compared to other types. Tankless Water Heaters: On-Demand Efficiency Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand or instantaneous water heaters, have gained popularity in recent years due to their energy-efficient design and space-saving features. How They Work: Instead of storing hot water in a tank, tankless heaters heat water directly as it flows through the unit. When a hot water tap is turned on, the heater activates and heats the water using either a gas burner or an electric heating element. Once the tap is turned off, the heating process stops. Benefits: Energy Efficiency: Tankless heaters only heat water when there is a demand, eliminating the standby energy losses associated with traditional tank heaters, resulting in significant energy savings. Continuous Hot Water Supply: With no storage tank, tankless heaters can provide an endless supply of hot water, making them ideal for households with high hot water demands. Space-Saving Design: Tankless heaters are compact and can be mounted on a wall, freeing up valuable floor space in utility rooms or closets. Longer Lifespan: With proper maintenance, tankless heaters can last up to 20 years, nearly double the lifespan of traditional tank heaters. Drawbacks: Higher Upfront Cost: Tankless heaters have a higher initial purchase and installation cost compared to traditional tank heaters, although they can offset this expense through long-term energy savings. Limited Flow Rate: Tankless heaters have a maximum flow rate, which may not be sufficient for households with multiple high-demand fixtures running simultaneously. Potential Temperature Fluctuations: Tankless heaters may experience temperature fluctuations, especially during periods of high demand or when multiple fixtures are in use. Installation Requirements: Proper gas line or electrical capacity is necessary for installation, which may require additional upgrades in some homes. Heat Pump Water Heaters: The Energy-Efficient Marvel Heat pump water heaters are a relatively new and highly efficient technology that utilizes the principles of heat transfer to heat water. These systems are essentially a hybrid of traditional tank heaters and tankless systems, combining the benefits of both. How They Work: Heat pump water heaters use electricity to transfer heat from the surrounding air to the water stored in an insulated tank. The heat pump operates like a refrigerator in reverse, extracting heat from the air and transferring it to the water. This process is highly efficient, as it moves heat rather than generating it directly. Benefits: Exceptional Energy Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters are the most energy-efficient option, capable of saving up to 60% on energy costs compared to traditional electric heaters. Longer Lifespan: With fewer components subject to wear and tear, heat pump water heaters can last up to 15 years, longer than traditional tank heaters. Abundant Hot Water Supply: Like traditional tank heaters, heat pump water heaters provide a consistent and abundant supply of hot water, making them suitable for households with high hot water demands. Environmental Benefits: By using electricity more efficiently, heat pump water heaters have a lower carbon footprint and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Tax Credits and Rebates: Many states and utilities offer tax credits and rebates for installing energy-efficient heat pump water heaters, further offsetting the initial cost. Drawbacks: Higher Upfront Cost: Heat pump water heaters have a higher initial purchase and installation cost compared to traditional tank heaters, although they can offset this expense through long-term energy savings and rebates. Installation Space Requirements: Heat pump water heaters require adequate installation space to allow for proper air circulation and heat transfer, which may be a challenge in smaller utility rooms or closets. Slower Recovery Time: After the hot water supply is depleted, heat pump water heaters may take longer to reheat the tank compared to traditional tank heaters. Potential Noise Levels: The compressor and fan in heat pump water heaters can generate noise, which may be a concern in some households. Conclusion: When choosing a water heater, it's essential to consider factors such as household size, hot water demand, energy efficiency goals, upfront and operating costs, and available space. While traditional heaters offer an affordable and reliable option, tankless and heat pump water heaters provide significant energy savings and environmental benefits, making them attractive choices for homeowners seeking long-term cost savings and sustainability.
Man with hardhat looking at the kitchen

Building Our New Future: Advanced Framing Techniques

By Showvaker Residential Design • April 26, 2024
The Future of Sustainable Construction As the world seeks to conserve resources and promote sustainability, the construction industry is undergoing a transformation toward energy efficiency. At the forefront of this movement lies an innovative approach known as advanced framing techniques or optimal value engineering (OVE). This cutting-edge method represents a departure from traditional framing practices, offering a blueprint for a greener and more resource-conscious future. Principles of Advanced Framing Advanced framing is based on a set of principles that maximize material efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance structures' overall energy performance. These principles are carefully designed to address construction's environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity and safety standards. 1. Optimized Material Usage Instead of the conventional 2x4 or 2x6 studs spaced at 16 or 24 inches on center, advanced framing employs fewer but larger studs, typically 2x6 or 2x8, spaced at 24 inches apart. This strategic placement conserves lumber resources and creates ample space for increased insulation, boosting energy efficiency. By using fewer studs, advanced framing techniques can reduce lumber usage by up to 25%, significantly reducing the demand on forest resources. 2. Insulation-Focused Design With wider stud spacing, advanced framing techniques allow for more insulation within wall cavities, typically using high-performance insulation materials like blown-in cellulose or spray foam. This design feature significantly improves a building's thermal performance, reducing heat transfer through the walls and minimizing the need for energy-intensive heating and cooling systems. Improved insulation can result in energy savings of up to 30% compared to conventionally framed buildings, ultimately lowering overall energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. 3. Streamlined Framing Elements Advanced framing minimizes redundant framing members, such as multiple headers over openings and unnecessary cripple studs, streamlining the construction process while eliminating thermal breaks in the building envelope. By reducing these thermal bridges, advanced framing promotes better insulation and airtightness, further enhancing energy efficiency and indoor comfort. This approach also reduces the amount of lumber required, contributing to resource conservation and minimizing construction waste. 4. Strategic Sheathing and Openings In advanced framing, sheathing materials like oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood are primarily used for bracing purposes rather than structural support, allowing for more efficient insulation solutions. Window and door openings are strategically aligned with the 24-inch stud spacing, ensuring seamless integration and minimizing the need for additional framing elements. This strategic placement of openings optimizes material usage and reduces thermal bridging, further improving energy efficiency. Benefits of Embracing Advanced Framing The adoption of advanced framing techniques offers numerous benefits for builders, homeowners, and the environment, making it a compelling choice for sustainable construction practices. 1. Resource Conservation By optimizing material usage and reducing lumber demand, advanced framing contributes to sustainable forestry practices and overall resource conservation. The reduced demand for virgin lumber can help preserve natural habitats and biodiversity while also minimizing the carbon footprint associated with logging and transportation. 2. Improved Energy Efficiency Enhanced insulation and minimized thermal breaks result in buildings requiring significantly less heating and cooling energy, translating into substantial utility cost savings for homeowners and building occupants. Lower energy consumption also reduces the environmental impact associated with energy production, such as greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. 3. Cost Savings While advanced framing may require an initial adjustment in construction practices and training for contractors, the long-term cost savings in materials and energy bills often outweigh any upfront investments. By reducing lumber usage and improving energy efficiency, advanced framing techniques can result in substantial cost savings over the lifetime of a building, benefiting both builders and homeowners. 4. Environmentally Friendly Construction The reduced reliance on virgin materials and lower energy demands of advanced framing buildings contribute to a more environmentally friendly construction industry, aligning with global sustainability goals and initiatives. By adopting these techniques, builders can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and contribute to creating eco-friendly and energy-efficient built environments. Conclusion By adopting these innovative approaches, the construction industry can promote sustainable practices, setting an example for other sectors to follow. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on minimizing environmental impact, builders can create structures that harmonize with nature, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
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