Is Your Project a Good Fit for Design-Build Construction?

Planning and executing a construction project involves a lot of moving parts, but it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it has been in the past. Thanks to the modern design-build approach, it’s easier and faster than ever to coordinate all the processes necessary for planning and executing a successful construction project.

But what exactly is the design-build construction approach? Why is it advantageous to utilize design build services? And is your project truly a good fit for design build? Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Design-Build Construction?

Let’s start by defining design-build construction.
Traditionally, construction projects require reaching out to multiple entities including architects and engineers.After that, you can seek competitive bidding from a variety of construction firms to see who can build that design for the best value. Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to work with a firm that can handle everything, or you may be responsible for finding different contractors and subcontractors to carry out the work.
In design build construction, a full-service construction company handles everything. Design-build construction allows you to use a single business as your sole point of contact for everything relevant to your construction project, including:

Initial consulting
High-level planning
Project scope analysis
Architectural design
Structural engineering
Procurement and sourcing
Construction and management
Subcontracting

Additionally, in design-build, different experts with distinct areas of expertise work closely together. Designers, architects, project managers, contractors, and subcontractors are all part of the same team, communicating and collaborating to make the project run smoothly and successfully.

The Advantages of Design Build Services

There are several reasons why the design build process is so beneficial:

Lower Costs
While never a guarantee, design-build services are usually less expensive than the alternative. Because all the services are bundled, you could end up paying a lower total price. Also, because ongoing communication and collaboration mitigate and quickly resolve issues, you can often count on your project being completed with fewer costs.
Greater collaboration
Design-build teams are incentivized to work together, enabling more efficient communication and allowing different experts to teach and influence each other. The end result is a much more cohesive, efficient project—and a much easier time working together.
Speedier issue resolution
Design-build services result in speedier issue resolution. If there’s a problem with a specific design element, your architect and project manager can work together with subcontractors to resolve it together.
Fewer supply chain disruptions
While the severity has lessened in the past year or so, we’re still in the midst of a supply chain crisis, which can interfere with your ability to source inexpensive materials. Thanks to the collaborative design build setup, procurement experts can work closely with architects to find alternative materials that are easier to source.
A single point of contact
Your responsibilities as an owner are also easier to manage; instead of being forced to go back and forth between different entities and institutions, you’ll have a single point of contact. You’re only working with one company, and typically, one project manager.
Less contract complexity
Similarly, you’ll only have one massive contract. This reduces contract complexity and makes project management easier.
Less risk
Because of these reasons and more, design-build projects tend to carry less risk. There are fewer things that can go wrong.
Faster overall construction
Design-build projects are not without their hiccups, and there are always possibilities for unexpected delays. However, on a large scale, design-build projects are associated with faster overall construction. You can accelerate your timeline by pursuing design-build.
More flexibility
The adaptive nature of design-build and the ongoing influences of many experts allow for more flexibility in managing and planning your construction projects. If you anticipate possible changes or new inclusions in the future, design-build could be the right way to go.

The downsides of design-build construction exist, but they tend to be minimal:

Greater involvement required
Because this is an ongoing collaborative process, owners are usually required to be more involved in design-build. Your input and feedback are indispensable.
Demand for trust and communication
Design-build projects can only work if all parties trust each other and are willing to communicate proactively. Communication issues can lead to disruptions and greater complexity.
Lack of competitive bidding
Some organizations avoid design-build because they need or want to pursue competitive bidding. But keep in mind that design-build construction projects are often cheaper than their traditional construction project competitors.

What Types of Projects Are a Good Fit for Design Build Construction?

The design-build approach requires your frequent involvement, effective communication, and close collaboration with all parties.
If you’re required to seek competitive bidding, or if you want to reduce your costs to the absolute minimum, design build may be prohibitive.
The vast majority of other construction projects are suitable for the design build approach. Talk to a design build specialist to discover how your next construction project might unfold under these parameters.

Design Build General Contractor

If you’re planning to start a new construction project and you want to save time, save money, and reduce headaches, design-build may be the best path forward. But if you want your design-build project to be successful, you need to choose the best possible partner.
That’s where Connor Construction comes in. If you’re ready for an initial consultation, or if you just need some more details about our design build services, contact us today!