5 Reasons Why We Don’t Take Smaller Projects (and Why It Matters That We’re Both Designers + General Contractors)

At Savvy Interiors, we get asked all the time: “Can you just design my powder bath?” or “Would you do a quick kitchen update?” The truth is, we don’t take on smaller projects—and there’s a very intentional reason for that.

We specialize in full home remodels and repeat clients because that’s where our expertise as both designers and licensed general contractors truly makes a difference. Here’s why:

A luxury organic modern kitchen, designed and built by Savvy Interiors in San Diego. This full home remodel features a custom-built range hood and large marble island.

1. Design + Build Under One Roof

Most interior designers stop at the vision: renderings, selections, mood boards. Then, they pass it off to a contractor, who interprets (or sometimes changes) the plan. We don’t just hand over drawings and hope for the best—we also build what we design.

This means every detail is executed with precision, from the Taj Mahal quartzite countertops to the fumed white oak floors. There’s no gap between design intent and construction reality, because we manage both.

2. Big Projects Deserve Big Picture Thinking

A small project forces us into “Band-Aid” mode—matching old finishes, working around outdated layouts, or fixing piecemeal problems. Full home remodels let us step back and reimagine everything—flow, architecture, materials—so the home works together as one cohesive vision. That’s where the designer + GC model shines: we control the whole canvas, not just one corner of it.

3. Efficiency and Accountability

When you hire Savvy Interiors, you’re not juggling a separate designer, contractor, and project manager. We are all of that in one. That means fewer handoffs, fewer mistakes, and one accountable team from start to finish. Smaller projects don’t allow us to leverage that efficiency—the systems we’ve built are designed for large-scale, multi-room remodels where project management is key.

4. Repeat Clients, Real Trust

Our repeat clients come back because they know exactly how we work: we design with creativity, we build with integrity, and we manage with precision. They’ve already experienced the benefit of having a single point of responsibility for both the design and construction. That trust is worth more than any “quick fix” project could ever deliver.

An organic modern kitchen featuring a custom range hood and large marble island, designed and built by Savvy Interiors for a San Diego luxury home remodel.

Side note:

Once you’re a Savvy client, you have us for life. That’s the only time we bend our own rule—when a repeat client calls us back for a smaller project, we’re there. Because those relationships are everything.

5. Protecting Our Brand Integrity

Our brand stands for transformational design-build. We don’t want to be known for “just picking paint colors” or doing a one-off powder bath. We want to be known for homes that are fully reimagined—where design intent is honored in construction, and construction elevates the design. That only happens when we control the full process as both interior designers and general contractors.

Final Thought

We aren’t just interior designers. We aren’t just general contractors. We’re both—and that’s rare.

That’s why we only take on full home remodels and work with repeat clients who understand the value of our integrated approach. Because at Savvy Interiors, we’re not in the business of making small updates. We’re in the business of creating homes that tell your story, top to bottom. And once you’re part of the Savvy family—you’ve got us for life.

A luxury kitchen featuring an organic modern design with a custom range hood and large marble island. This space is part of a whole home remodel by Savvy Interiors, a licensed general contractor in San Diego.

Ready to begin your whole home transformation?

If our integrated design-build approach resonates with your vision for a home that tells your story from top to bottom, we would love to hear from you. Let’s turn your home into a cohesive space that’s designed with intention and built with integrity. Contact the Savvy Interiors team today to discuss your full home remodel project.

Next
Next

The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Remodel: What no one tells you (But we will)