Project Delivery - Design-Build

In the Design-Build method the project owner has a single contract with the general contractor who then has contracts with the architect and trade contractors.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
D. Brown Management
January 11, 2019 2 minute read
Share

The Design-Build method of project delivery eliminates a couple of the major negatives inherent in the Design-Bid-Build method.

CM at Risk: Project Delivery Methods - Definition of Design-Build and pros and cons.

This integrates construction and design by putting the contractor fully in charge of the process which shortens delivery timelines and substantially cuts change orders.  

A study by Penn State and the Construction Industry Institute (CII) in 1997 showed many of the advantages of the Design-Build method, which are summarized in these slides from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

The key downsides of Design-Build include:

  • The project owner loses direct control over the design and must directly manage value vs. cost decisions.

  • The project owner must have clear and complete decisions on the scope of the project very early on.  

  • The project owner is responsible for changes and gaps in the scope. Deeply understanding the architectural design process and knowing how to manage it is a critical skill for any contractor delivering preconstruction services.  
Project Delivery - Design-Build
The preferred project delivery method. There is a reason 100 of ENR's Top 400 General Contractors use CMAR as the project delivery method for over 75% of their work. Leverage CMAR as part of your growth strategy....
Previous Next Go To Series
Related Insights Series
Project Delivery - Design-Build
The preferred project delivery method. There is a reason 100 of ENR's Top 400 General Contractors use CMAR as the project delivery method for over 75% of their work. Leverage CMAR as part of your growth strategy....
Previous Next Go To Series
Related Insights Series
ABC Communication for Clarity
The only valid measure of clear communication is whether the other person(s) understood it as it was meant to be understood. Clarity of communication is not about perfect grammar, format, or frequency though all those play a factor in understanding.
Related Article
Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) and Contractor Growth
A responsibility matrix is a simple but powerful tool for helping everyone on a project and in the company see who is responsible for what. With a few added columns, it can easily indicate when, what tools, and link to the "how-to" procedures.
Related Article
Org Structure Planning (2X)
We would never build a project room-by-room without having an overall design. Contractors must look at their organizational structures the same way, focusing on what they want to accomplish and designing the best way to get there.
Related Article