The Benefits of Design-Build in New Construction and Remodeling

The Many Benefits of the Design-Build Model

According to the DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America), the Design-Build model is the fastest growing and most popular method used to deliver residential and commercial construction projects in America today. With good reason. It offers owners a more efficient, streamlined way to complete projects.

The traditional design-bid-build project delivery system means that the property owner must manage two separate contracts with the architect and the contractor. This method can often result in an adversarial relationship between the two. For example, if unforeseen issues require changes, the designer and contractor often blame each other for cost overruns. Design-bid-build can often lead to litigation and delays adding to the project cost.

With a design-build approach, the property owner manages one contract with a single point of contact. The designer and contractor work from the project's earliest stages as a team. This approach offers unified project recommendations to fit the owner's schedule and budget. Changes are addressed by the entire team, leading to collaborative problem solving and innovation.

While single-source contracting is the fundamental difference, the culture of collaboration inherent in design-build is just one of the many benefits this business model offers. Read on to learn more about the many benefits of design-build!

What Exactly is Design-Build

Design-build is a process that includes planning, design, and construction under one contract. You are partnering with a single organization to get your project to completion quickly with the highest levels of satisfaction, functionality, and aesthetics.

When you partner with a design-build professional, look for someone who listens to what you want and need and knows you can collaborate with and trust. The design-build business model offers many advantages that ensure a successful project when you work together as a team.

The Key Benefits of the Design-Build Approach

The design-build process requires a high level of collaboration between the designer and the build team. Working together throughout the process provides some key benefits as more coordinated tasks lead to higher quality results.

According to the DBIA, the design-build construction method accounts for 40% of all non-residential construction and a large portion of the residential remodeling and new build currently happening in the marketplace. Here are several vital benefits design-build brings to commercial and residential construction and remodeling projects!

Design-Build Offers Complete Accountability

The company you choose is accountable for every phase of your project - concept through completion. This gives them the means and motivation to pay attention to the details that could negatively impact your budget and timeline.

Accountability means you enjoy cost savings as the design-builder can have a more accurate project estimate earlier in the process. It allows for more accurate quotes enabling clients to work out budgets earlier in the process.

In the more traditional design-bid-build process, things aren't always so clear.

The Process Offers A More Unified Vision

The design-build approach offers less chance for conflict since every aspect of a project is handled under one roof where responsibilities and a hierarchy have been clearly established. All team members and owners have a shared and unified vision that the entire team works forward.

Honest and Frequent Communication

The process requires transparency with everyone involved to achieve a common goal, the successful completion of your project. Owners can understand the process much more clearly as their involvement is a big part of it. People on the same team feel more comfortable and confident letting honest communication happen.

Expertise in Both Fields

Design builders are experts at both designing and building. In simple terms, the designers know who builders work, and vice versa. Clients benefit from working with two sets of experts that understand how to collaborate to get the best results.

Enjoy Both Time and Cost Savings

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a design-build firm is the faster timeline and turnaround of a project. With the designer and builder on the same team, in the same office, they can better manage the hundreds of timelines that must be coordinated. This method creates opportunities for team members to contemplate significant decisions when necessary and can lead to faster decisions when all the players have a common goal and clear communication.

Owners, designers, and builders can revisit decisions when necessary during the process without generating change orders or additional fees. In fact, a faster turnaround can deliver savings of up to 6% of overall project costs.

The Bottom Line On Design-Build

While the traditional design-bid-build method is still being used today, the design-build process is growing in popularity. It works better for projects including new commercial and residential construction and renovation.

Design-build brings numerous benefits. The method reduces errors, keeps costs as low as possible, leads to faster delivery, and allows for greater degrees of customization. View our residential portfolio.