What is Design-Build?
Design-Build is a method of project delivery in which one group – the design-build team – works under a single contract with the project owner to provide both design and construction services. One entity, one contract, creates one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion. Design-build is an alternative to the traditional design-bid-build project delivery method. Traditionally, design and construction services are split into separate entities, separate contracts with separate work. Oftentimes, this places the homeowner in the middle between the design and construction teams. Now, design-build successfully delivers both horizontal and vertical construction projects with superior results – no matter what the project type.
Why Should I Consider Design-Build?
Design-Build streamlines project delivery via a single contract between the owner and the design-build team. This transforms the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance, which encourages collaboration and teamwork. United as a teamfrom the outset of every project, the design build team works to successfully complete a project faster, more cost effectively and with fewer change orders. With the design-bid-build the owner must maintain two separate contracts, may become the middleman in disputes between the contractor and designer. With design-build, designer and contractor are on the same team, providing informed decisions together and eleminates the "blame game."
| Design Bid Build | Design Build | |
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| Images from dbia.org |
Are There Any Other Advantages to Design-Build?
There are many advantages to design-build including improved unit cost, construction speed, delivery speed, cost growth and schedule growth.
| Metric | Design-Build vs Design-Bid_Build | |
| Unit Cost | 6.1% lower | |
| Construction Speed | 12% faster | |
| Delivery Speed | 33.5% faster | |
| Cost Growth | 5.2% less | |
| Schedule Growth | 11.4% less |
Source: Consrtuction Industry Institute (CII)/Penn State Research comprising of 351 projects ranging from 5k to 2.5M sqyare-feet. The study includes varied project types and sectors.
