Privacy & Policy

Design build is a method of project delivery in which the owner executes a single contract with one entity (design-builder) to provide architectural /engineering services and construction services. (a.k.a. “design construct”;”single source” or “single responsibility”).  This method has grown significantly over the last decade in the US & Canada. A well-designed and managed design-build process offers the following benefits:

   1 Singular responsibility: with both design and construction in the hands of a single entity there is a single point of responsibility for quality, cost and schedule adherence. Conflicts between design and construction are the design-builders responsibility not the owner’s. With design-build the owner is able to focus on definition of needs and timely decision-making rather than on coordination between designer and builder.

    2 Quality:  Singular responsibility is a powerful quality motivator and the design-builder cannot shift responsibility for defects to another party but is solely responsible for the completed product and is motivated to build in quality throughout the design and construction process.

    3 Cost savings: Design and construction personnel, working and communicating as a team evaluate alternative designs, materials and methods efficiently and accurately. Value engineering and constructability are utilized continuously and more effectively when the designers, contractors and vendors work as one during the entire design and construction process.

    4 Time savings:  Design-build is ideal for the application of “fast track” construction techniques without associated risks to the owner.  Because design and construction are overlapped and because bidding periods and redesign are eliminated, total design and construction time can be significantly reduced. Materials and equipment procurement and construction work can begin before construction documents are fully completed. The resulting time savings translates into lower costs and earlier occupancy of the completed facility.

    5 Reduced Administrative burden: Although design-build can be resource-intensive during the early phases of a project, the owner is not required, during actual design and construction, to coordinate and arbitrate between separate design and construction contracts or resolve budget and schedule conflicts.

    6 Early knowledge of firm costs: Guaranteed construction costs are known much earlier in advance compared to other delivery systems. The entity responsible for design is simultaneously estimating construction costs and can accurately conceptualize the completed project at an early stage. Design-build can afford the owner one or more “go, no-go” decision points during the design phases. The decision to proceed with the project is made with firm knowledge of the final cost and scope.

The aggregate benefit of these advantages come at considerable risk to the design –builder but will generally translate into far greater value to the owner than that traditionally available!