The Advantages of the Design-Build Method for Your Commercial Construction Project
In its simplest terms, the Design-Build project delivery method involves hiring a single general contractor team to execute on an entire construction project - design services and construction services, from pre-construction to completion. In recent years there has been a consistent shift away from awarding separate contracts for design and construction in favor of contractors, designers, subcontractors, and owners working together as one team to complete a project.
The Process
The Design-Build process is different from the traditional design-bid-build process in which owners are working on design and planning before knowing if a contractor can meet the overall budget during the bidding process. The Design-Bid-Build is very linear and typically starts with design services, often an architect, creating renderings, drawings and plans. Second, General Contractors bid on the drawings and define the cost of the work, before building out the project. From there, the selected General Contractor moves onto the third step to execute on exactly what is detailed in the construction documents. The main drawback with this process is that there is often no collaboration between the design and construction teams.
With a Design-Build project, the owner is signing a single contract and working with a dedicated team that offers collaborative and unified recommendations. Many steps in this delivery method can run concurrently so it is ideal for projects on a tight schedule, and often there are few pricing changes throughout the project and open communication. The steps in this project are fairly straightforward and start with team selection - the owner must find the right design-build team. From there, the project moves into pre-construction wherein architects, engineers, contractors, and other consultants work together to assess current structures, and define needs. Next is Architectural Design, followed by Construction and Post-Construction. Because all of the work is done by a single entity, the process is often much more streamlined than when the designers and contractors are working separately.
Benefits of the Design-Build Process
This project delivery method is widely considered the best for providing a holistic view of the project as well as optimizing for value. Ultimately, Design-Build allows you to save time and money on your project.
Single Point of Contact: With everything funneling though the general contractor, not only does the client have a single point of contact, but it also eliminates liabilities and potential issues caused by two separate design and construction contracts.
Streamlined Project Deliverability: Because the project is more efficient and construction can actually begin before the final designs are completed, owners can occupy their facilities sooner.
Project innovation: The close working relationship between the design and construction team on a Design-Build project can often foster innovative solutions to unexpected challenges.
Net Savings: There are cost savings through the prudent use of materials, cost-efficient construction processes and reduced labor costs.
The Project Delivery Method That Works For You
While the Design-Build method may not be appropriate for every project, it has found wide success for a reason. Design-build allows for a project that meets cost and schedule expectations, while making it easier for the owner to manage.
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