How Design-Build Works: Decreasing Risk While Maximizing Efficiency

What is Design-Build?

It is a method of construction delivery that provides the owners with an individual point of communication for the design as well as the construction phase of the project. There is a single entity that holds contractual risk and single-source responsibility for every facet of commercial construction – from pre-construction, assessments, and estimation to schematics, architecture, subcontracting, engineering, construction, and after construction.

All the contracts with different companies are managed by this entity. For example, material providers, equipment vendors, and subcontractors. In a design-build process, the contract happens only between the owner and the Design-Builder. This is because a Design-Build process brings all of the project’s elements together and the architects perform in coordination with different fellows of the project group.

It helps the project group to understand the constructability and costs of various designs. In the end, the result is a substantial design, a streamlined schedule, and a clearly defined budget.

The Constructive Solutions Process Aka Design-Build Process

The process of Design-Build or constructive solutions can be applied to any kind of construction work, like industrial construction, building renovation, medical construction, etc. This process constitutes five main phases. They are:

1. Choosing a Design-Builder
2. Pre-construction assessment
3. Architectural design
4. Construction
5. Post-construction

In a Design-Build process, the phases overlap. Here, every member of the team, be it the general contractor, subcontractor, or materials provider collaborates throughout the processes and provides quick project delivery.

What Benefits Do Design-Build Provide?

Many unique advantages and benefits are offered by Design-Build which are not delivered by any other construction method. This is the reason why most of the construction companies are getting Design-Build projects these days. Some major advantages of Design-Build are quick delivery, smooth processes, effective solutions, and efficient communication.

· Quick Delivery

One can expect quick delivery through Design-Build because the construction and design happen concurrently. And only a single selection phase is there rather than two. This kind of delivery method converts almost impossible time periods into reality.

· Effortless Processes

Design-Build is equivalent to troubles eliminated, owners pleased and teams collaborating. Design-Build provides single-source liability which means there will not be any conflicting recommendations from the architect and contractor. Instead, the single entity is completely accountable for any or all design and construction elements. It paves the way for an effortless ownership experience.

· Effective Solutions

With Design-Build, the solutions are not limited to conventional ideas. Teams are allowed to do the right things required for the project. When ideas emerge, teams perform as a single unit and analyze those ideas, with complete transparency. This assures the owners, of receiving the best siting, materials, design, schedule, and more. With this innovative process, the owners can view more options, realize an improved value, and make superior decisions.

· Efficient Communication

To deliver affluent Design-Build projects require open collaboration amongst all the team members. When a team-oriented tactic is created, a high level of transparency and communication is promoted, both are important to any project’s success. The owners precisely communicate their vision amongst the team members and align stakeholders’ interests. This kind of approach also provides the combined effort required to assess the objectives of the project, evaluate schedules and examine opportunities evolving with the project’s progress. It is only possible for a team to align the objectives and goals of the project with the owner’s vision.

All this is facilitated by Design-Build. Every team member remains on the very same page as everyone works under a single contract. The Design-Builder keeps the owner updated with everything happening in the project. Therefore, it can be said that Design-Build is perfectly suitable for the most difficult jobs, make them easy so that the owners realize advanced quality, need lesser claims, and get litigation-free builds.

How Is Design-Build Method Better Than the Traditional Method?

In a traditional method (this method is also the competition of the Design-Build method), the owner has to manage two different contacts; the owner is positioned as a middleman, he has to settle disputes amongst the general contractor and the designer. The contractor and the designer can simply blame each other for overrunning costs or other problems.

In a Design-Build method, the owner has to manage only a single contract with one responsibility; the construction contractor and designer are in one team and provide unified recommendations. Whatever changes occur, the Design-Build entity addresses them, and excuses are avoided.

· Design-Build: Best for Architectural Designs

Design-Build is best for architectural designs because the architects in the team better understand the construction processes. The design team gets a built-in source for value engineering and constructability review and it can accurately estimate as well as effectively control the processes.

· Design-Build: Best for Construction

Design-Build is best for construction because the members of the construction team get used to reading plans and working with architects. The construction team is strengthened with a built-in source for interpretations and clarifications on the drawing sets. The construction team is capable to generate in-house architectural information.

· Design-Build: Best for Projects

Design-Build is best for the projects because all the team members work for the best interest of the client. The accountability barriers are removed, little time is exhausted on finger-pointing, and more time is used to find solutions. Smooth communication helps the project move from design to construction more cost-effectively and efficiently. The construction input begins earlier and the design input continues longer.

How to Select Design-Build Companies?

The greatest strength of Design-Build is that the whole responsibility is afforded by a single source. This maximizes the efficiency of a project and reduces the risks of failure or not completing the project on time. When you go for Design-Build, you must consider some honest and experienced builders. Some of the key traits to find a good Design-Build firm are as follows:

• A good Design-Builder will have the best quality controlling team and fewer callback numbers. These numbers show how many times the owner has requested the builder to fix something after the completion of a job.
• Another thing to consider is EMR (Emergency Modification Rate). If it is below 1.0, it means that the builder bears a robust safety record. This minimizes the insurance costs and you will be able to save more.
• A good Design-Builder will have experience in handling many projects and a big list of healthy references.