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. Design-build is also known as design/construct and single-source responsibility. Around the world, design-build successfully delivers office buildings, schools, stadiums, transportation and water infrastructure projects with superior results.
Design-build is an alternative to design-bid-build. Under the latter approach, design and construction are split - separate entities, separate contracts, separate work.
Design-build, design-bid-build and construction management are the three project delivery systems most commonly employed. Over the past 15 years, use of design-build has greatly accelerated, making this delivery method one of the most significant trends in design and construction today.
One Contract, One Integrated Team
Design-build streamlines project delivery through a single contract between the owner and the design-build team. This simple but fundamental difference saves money and time by transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance which fosters collaboration and teamwork
The Design-Build Advantage(Owner/Agency Benefits):
- Faster Delivery - collaborative project management means work is completed faster with fewer problems.
- Cost Savings — an integrated team is geared toward efficiency and innovation.
- Better Quality — design-builders meet performance needs, not minimum design requirements, often developing innovations to deliver a better project than initially imagined.
- Singular Responsibility — one entity is held accountable for cost, schedule and performance.
- Decreased Administrative Burden — owners can focus on the project rather than managing disparate contracts.
- Reduced Risk — the design-build team assumes additional risk.
- Reduced Litigation Claims — by closing warranty gaps owners virtually eliminate litigation claims. Practitioner Benefits
- Higher Profit Margin — an integrated team is fully and equally committed to controlling costs.
- Decreased Administrative Burden — design-build streamlines communication between designers and builders.
- Increased Market Share— more and more owners choose design-build.
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