Design-build Construction Process
Ensure Continuity with Design-Build Construction
The design-build delivery method is ideal for fostering collaborative problem-solving and innovation while saving on schedule and cost.
Don’t let lack of collaboration and communication slow your project down.
We understand that construction delays, lack of communication, and cost overruns are frustrating. To remedy this, All Steel Mid-Rise offers the Design-Build method of construction for the structural portions of your building. Design-Build streamlines collaboration between the design and the construction teams throughout your project.
During the design process, if changes need to be made or challenges arise, it is addressed by the entire team from one organization. The team can then collectively problem-solve within the group’s shared knowledge and expertise. The culture of collaboration inherent to the Design-Build process is significant compared to traditional construction methods.
What is Design-Build Construction?
Design-build is not a new concept. The design-build construction delivery method is used by over 40% of the commercial construction industry right now. Design-Build combines the construction and design team under a single entity, giving the owner a single-source of liability throughout the construction process. This limits the Owner’s risk and simplifies the process through consistent collaboration.
A design-build company is accountable for the entire project from initial concept through completion, including how the final design looks, project costs and budget, and how quickly construction is complete. Additionally, the design-builder manages all contracts with companies, such as subcontractors, equipment vendors, and materials providers.
The Design-Build team brings the Owner, Architect, Builder, Engineers, and Subcontractors together from the start of the project to create a unified plan for the project that results in quality design, an accurate budget, increased efficiency, and a streamlined schedule.
Is Design-Build a better solution than traditional Design-Bid-Build construction?
Put simply, Design-Bid-Build construction is where the Owner manages two separate contracts between the design firm and the building contractor. The designer is responsible for delivering the complete design, and following design approval, the project Owner solicits bids from contractors to complete the design.
Throughout the Design-Bid-Build process, the designer and contractor have no contractual relationship with one another and have not collaborated on materials, budget, or schedule. When challenges or changes occur, the Owner must work with both entities separately to reach a resolution which can often delay the construction schedule or increase the budget.
Design-Build vs.
Design-Bid-Build
As mentioned, this is a traditional path for most projects. However, using a single company that does Design-Build construction can cut out a lot of time, effort, and create a more cohesive synergy in your project. The Design-Build delivery method brings the design and construction functions together as one team in a single contractual agreement to the Owner. Single-source contracting is the significant difference between Design-Build and traditional construction delivery, but equally important is the collaborative culture that this method’s structure inherently creates.
Did You Know?
36% Faster
A study conducted by the Design-Build Institute of America in 2018 found that Design-Build is 36% faster than the traditional Design-Bid-Build method. This means that if a Design-Bid-Build project is projected for a year-long schedule, the same project delivered with Design-Build would be completed in a little less than 8 months, resulting in the decrease of your build time. This would consequently lead to sooner occupancy and quicker return on investment.
Design-Build Offers a
Simplified Process
Put simply, Design-Bid-Build construction is where the Owner manages two separate contracts.
Choosing Your Design-Builder
A Design-Builder works diligently to meet your budget and deadlines throughout design and construction phases. You’ll want to select a Design-Builder that is highly-qualified to deliver projects in your specific market sector. Experienced Design-Builders utilize years of expertise, experience, and relationships to deliver a successfully completed project every time.
Pre-Construction Assessment
The pre-construction phase of a project includes business and financial assessments. The Design-Builder takes an in-depth look to learn about your business, industry, goals, vision, financial state and current and future facility needs.
During this phase, architects and engineers are also beginning architectural, mechanical and electrical system assessments. Additionally, surveyors perform a field assessment of the job site to ready it for construction.
Architectural Design
Once the pre-construction assessment is complete, the project team works together to identify a plan to construct a facility that meets design intent within budget and time constraints. With this knowledge, the project team begins architectural design.
During the design process, the Team is considering more than aesthetics; they are working diligently to create a strategy to ensure that the construction process supports the design intent. In this phase, all key project team members work together to value engineer cost savings into the design. By bringing together architects, engineers, and key subcontractors and vendors in the design phase, this allows for fewer disruptions during construction by facilitating unique solutions for problems before they arise on the construction site and creating a clearly defined scope.
Construction
During the architectural design phase, your team is already working to ready the construction jobsite, further contributing to schedule savings. Typically, Design-Build projects experience fewer change orders during construction. This is due to the upfront planning that happens between all key partners. Throughout the construction phase, everyone benefits from a clearly defined scope, schedule, and workflow plan that ultimately delivers a completed project in less time.
Post-Construction
Following project completion, the Design-Builder will complete a detailed handoff process to help you understand the way your building functions and how to properly maintain it. This handoff includes walk-throughs, detailed instructions for maintenance, training on technologies, and important documentation.
Key Advantages to using
Design-Build
Cost Savings
Efficiencies created by integrating the construction and design team generate noticeable cost savings for the Owner. Shortened construction schedules and reduced time spent managing the build of a facility results in faster building occupancy that allows the Owner to generate revenue sooner.
High Quality Results
Design-Builders work to meet performance needs, not minimum design requirements as in traditional construction. The project team delivers innovative solutions to meet performance requirements and utilizes creative materials and processes to achieve high quality outcomes.
Single Source of Liability
The Owner can hold one entity accountable for cost, schedule and performance. This unique single source of liability changes the relationship between the designer and contractor as they are equally responsible for the project’s success. Additionally, the Design-Build team assumes all risks.
Rapid Project Delivery
The collaborative approach of Design-Build projects means that work is completed faster with fewer change orders or issues.
