About us
We started design + biz because we kept seeing the same thing: homeowners spending six figures on renovations without having a full grasp of all the moving pieces.
The architect is focused on design. The contractor is focused on the build. Neither is accountable for the full picture — the budget, the timeline, the tradeoffs, or the decisions that connect all of it. design + biz exists to be the one firm that works exclusively for the owner, start to finish.
That's what we do. And we built the tools we wished existed to prove it.
Who we are
Brandon Cavanagh, Co-Founder
Wharton MBA • Corporate Strategy • Energy
A decade of corporate strategy and operations, with time in the energy space working for an electric utility and state utility commission. Brandon co-founded design + biz to bring systems-level thinking to the homeowner's side of the table.
Michael Corey, Co-Founder
JD, Ohio State Moritz • Municipal Regulatory • Gov
Michael has spent his entire career working alongside municipal and state government agencies, helping clients navigate unblock hurdles and unlock opportunities. He co-founded design + biz to put that institutional knowledge directly in homeowners' hands — so they can move faster, avoid costly surprises, and get projects across the finish line.
Why we built the tools
Most advisory firms keep their expertise behind a paywall. We took the opposite approach — we built six free AI tools that give every homeowner access to the kind of intelligence that used to require hiring a consultant: project scoping, cost estimating, crew planning, permit research, energy analysis, and risk assessment — all address-specific, all available before you spend a dime.
If the tools help you navigate on your own, great. If you want someone in your corner for the full project, we're here for that too.
Ready to get started?