The Design/Build Contract

What Is A Design/Build Contract? Contract that combines design & construction into one agreement The design/build team provides a customized “turn-key” project for the Owner. Owner defines the standards and general specifications they expect for the project

What Is A Design/Build Contract? Detailed plans are often still being developed when construction begins. Design firm & construction contractor become a team. Work concurrently on design/construction phases of a project. Ie, site work can begin before final structural details are complete, etc. Faster project delivery than the traditional “design- bid-build” process.

How Does It Work? Design-Build firm will act as the designer and construction manager Construction is subcontracted to the necessary trade subcontractors. Contracts for early phases of the work can be awarded before the final working drawings have been completed Owner Consultants Design/Build Firm Subcontractors & Suppliers

How Does It Work? Often, Owner will contract with Design/Build firm for “preliminary services” to establish preliminary design. This is separate from the actual D/B Contract Since the preliminary design is complete, a basis has been established for an initial contract price.

Benefits To The Owner Time savings is realized by: Eliminating lead time necessary to contract a designer and then proceed to bidding process. Project moves from design to construction much faster through the use of the single design-build contract.

Benefits To The Owner Designer & contractor work in “tandem” Changes can be incorporated in the design phase Eliminates costly change orders during construction

Benefits To The Owner The owner has a more direct working relationship with the contractor. Offers Owner a sole source of responsibility and authority on the project Owner is often guaranteed a “maximum” project cost as early as the completion of the preliminary design stage

Disadvantages To The Owner Final plans and specifications are not completed and reviewed by the client or regulatory agencies prior to construction. This has both budget and quality/function implications. For this reason, most governmentally funded projects require conventional design and competitive construction bidding procedures.

Benefits To The Project Cooperative spirit between the owner, contractor & designer Best ideas are achieved which benefit project design, performance, and quality Provides a non-adversarial relationship and encourages team members to prevent problems

Benefits To The Project Reduces claims: Ie, construction delays due to design errors easily resolved. Response time is accelerated Concerns are more easily handled due to organizational structure.