What is Design-Build Construction?

Image: Pexels/Pixabay

If you’ve ever taken a glance at the front page of our website, you’ll know we call ourselves a design-build team. But what does that mean? And what are the benefits of working with a design-build team over a traditional one? 

What Is Design-Build Construction?

Design-build construction takes the two separate groups that traditionally work on a construction project—the designer and the building contractor—and combines them into a single team working together on a project. This idea has been around since Ancient Greek society. An arkhitekton, or master builder, would oversee both the design and construction aspects of a project. This practice has gone in and out of fashion through the centuries, taking significant hits by the competing systems brought about by the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, respectively.

In the past several decades, we have seen a resurgence of this ideal through design-build companies. Rather than a single man combining these roles, a single company does. Though the system has changed over time, the benefits of joining the two roles together remain the same. 

What Are The Benefits Of Working With A Design-Build Team?

Image: Pexels/Alex Andrews

1: Communication

One major complaint that clients have when doing their project traditionally is the communication problems between the architect and the building contractor. Improper communication can lead to confusion on the jobsite, avoidable errors, schedule delays, and price differences. When both parties work together, these frustrations and non-necessary problems decrease drastically. This relieves the pressure on the client to try and facilitate communication themselves. In design-build, communication is built into how the company functions. 

Image: Pexels/fauxels

2: Cohesion & Continuity

A design-build system streamlines an entire project by keeping everything flowing within one process. There is no conflict of interest between the designer and the project manager: they are united under one vision and goal. With two separate firms that don’t work together, their different ideas and visions can come into conflict, which can cause you financial confusion and schedule delays. The project is also managed the same from beginning to end, which keeps the project running more smoothly the entire time.

Image: Pexels/cottonbro

3: Save Time & Money

Research out of the Construction Industry Institute shows that design-build projects take a significantly shorter time to complete than their counterparts, and they keep their pieces lower without bloating later on in the project. While price shifts and schedule changes are inevitable in construction, the design-build system keeps these concerns to a minimum.

Image: Pexels/Lukas

4. Single Source of Accountability

Under a design-build system, there is shared responsibility for everything that goes on during the project, eliminating finger-pointing when something goes wrong. Also, when the same company that builds a project is the one that designs it, more attention is put to the details during early planning. Costs and fees are calculated early, leaving you with a much better price estimate and saving you stress later on.  Changes in the project are updated on both ends at the same time, leaving much less room for error. 

I’m interested in working with a design-build team. What should I do?

If you’re interested in working with us on your project, go to the get a quote page on our website and fill out the short form. We’ll contact you and get the ball rolling on your project!