What are the benefits of Design-Build Construction?

Design-build requires a high degree of collaboration between the designer and the builder. Hence, they work together as the project progresses, seeing various benefits like more coordinated tasks leading to higher quality results. In the present, the design-build construction method accounts for 40% of all non-residential construction.

What is design build?

What is Design Build? Design-build is a method of project delivery in which one entity - the design-build team - works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. One entity, one contract, one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion.

Is design-build right for your project?

Design-build can be used on projects of any size and type, and there are myriad examples of design-build project successes of all sizes. Further, nearly 80 percent of U.S. states grant local governments authority to use design-build on their small, local projects.

How is design-build different from other construction methods?

This is where Design-Build differs from other construction methods. Architects can be employed directly by the Design-Builder, or the Design-Builder can subcontract out specialty design to trusted architectural design partners. Architects work on the same team, under the same contract, with the Design-Builder.

1. More Effective Teamwork

Teamwork is achieved, obviously, within a team. If the designer and the contractor are on different boats, how could they ever go on about doing the project? Could they even start properly?

In the Design-Build method, the contractor handles both the design and building process and the owner is also encouraged to get involved. When an issue is encountered, all these key players sit together to develop a plan on how to resolve the problem and keep the project on track and schedule.

2. Total accountability

As we’ve said, when the designer is also the one who builds the project, much more attention is given to the plan, pricing, and schedule, making the result better than when the designer and the contractor are from different groups.

Another benefit of making one team accountable for the whole project is that all aspects can be taken into account early on in the process, including labor fees, construction costs, utilities, landscaping allowances, and all other costs related to completing the project. This helps the contractor submit a more accurate quotation to the owner not to suffer from shortages later on.

This is seldom achievable in the design-bid-build method, where the project’s cost is twice as much as the designer’s estimate.

3. Continuity in Workflow

The same people are involved in the project from start to finish, which adds efficiency and effectiveness to the process. Tasks and schedules are planned more effectively since the contractor already knows the skill level of his members. The harmony between workers who already know each other also adds to productivity in the workplace.

4. Expertise in Both Design and Build Processes

Design-build firms employ both designers and project managers to work together. This then lets the firm achieve the best of both worlds. In addition, design-build firms usually have a solid partnership with reliable subcontractors. They also see to it that these subcontractors are also real experts in their fields since they are paid part of the budget that the general contractor receives to make sure that they do a good job.

5. More Valuable Professional Advice

Design and construction can get out of hand and messy when these two professionals don’t agree on the project’s terms. But this isn’t the case with a design-build firm. The designer and builder act together to develop the best design and plan that they can submit to the owner and guide him to the best possible outcome. Design-build refines a process from beginning to end and manages the chaos into orderly steps.

6. Owner Involvement

In research, it is assumed that owners want to take part in the construction process when they award the project to a Design-Build firm. The fact that there’s only one accountable person for the project makes it easier for the owner to maintain communication and the level of expertise the firm promises motivates him to get involved. And by being involved in the process, owners can guarantee that their goals will be accomplished, hence achieving customer satisfaction.

7. Closer Collaboration

A solid team means closer collaboration. In the construction industry, where tons of data are being processed every day. The involved parties need to be in a clear understanding of the project timeline and what else should be done in the field. Although construction project management software can be used for communication between different teams, collaboration is still better when people are on the same team and obliged to maintain a harmonious work relationship.

8. Honest and More Frequent Communication

Design-build requires transparency within the team to achieve their common goal, which is to successfully finish the project. Transparency is also seen as project owners understand the process much better as their involvement is requested. Consequently, better partnerships are built between the people engaged in the project.

Finally, we mentioned people being on the same page in a Design-Build, which results from more transparent communication. People in the same team feel more comfortable, hence breaking down walls and letting honest communication happen.

9. More Time Savings

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a Design-Build firm is the quicker turnaround of the project. With both the designer and the builder in the same team, they are able to manage hundreds of timelines that need to coordinate in lockstep. This kind of method also creates opportunities for construction leaders to contemplate significant decisions when a big incident happens. In addition, they can also come up with a decision faster when all key players have a common goal and a clear communication channel.

Furthermore, owners, designers, and builders can revisit major decisions during construction without change orders or additional fees. The traditional construction process often costs an additional fee when making changes.

10. Cost savings

With additional fees for professionals avoided and turnaround made quicker, a savings of approximately 6% of the project costs can be achieved. And for the owner, paying twice as much as the designer’s estimate can be avoided.

Conclusion

The traditional construction method is still used until today and many are still making a profit using that method. But there are several reasons why the design-build delivery method works much better for various projects like new construction as well as renovation. 

                        Questions for the contractor

1.    What are the major benefits of Design-Build specific to the self-storage industry?

2.    What has been your experience using the Design-Build platform?

3.    Savings are estimated at 6+ % using Design-Build. What has been your experience regarding savings?

4.    Time is money. How much time can one expect to save using the Design-Build platform?

5.    Does the Design-Build platform assist when dealing with municipalities regarding approvals?

6.    What are the cons of employing this system?