Design/Build

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. With design-build, the owner is able to focus on scope/needs definition and timely decision making, rather than on coordination between designer and builder.

Quality

The singularized responsibility inherent in design-build serves as a motivation for quality and proper project performance. The owner’s requirements and expectations are documented in performance terms and it is the design-build entity’s responsibility to produce results accordingly. During the construction process this attention to quality does not end, as the designer becomes the master builder, and manages the construction of the project to completion.

Cost Savings

Design and construction personnel, working and communicating as a team, evaluate alternative materials and methods efficiently and accurately. Value engineering and constructability are utilized continuously and more effectively when the designers and contractors work as a team during the entire design process. Construction costs are known far earlier than in other delivery systems. The entity responsible for design is simultaneously estimating construction costs and can accurately conceptualize a completed project. Staged contracting for design-build services affords the owner one or more “go, no-go” decision points during design. The decision to proceed with the project is made before substantial design expenditure and with knowledge of final project cost.

Time Savings

Because design and construction are overlapped, total project time can be significantly reduced. With design-build, material procurement and construction work can begin before the construction documents are fully completed. The resulting time savings translates into lower costs and an earlier occupancy date.