It's often assumed that property owners need multiple consultants for their construction project: architect and engineers to design the structure, and a general contractor to build it. Most people are familiar with the design-bid-build process that calls for the hiring and managing of multiple entities, but it's not the only means of project delivery.
Design/Build is a framework that places one company in charge of both design and construction. Notable because of the continuity and production streamlining benefits it can provide owners, Design/Build is an alternative project delivery process that's becoming increasingly popular.
Here's what you need to know about it, how it differs and how it can provide value:
What is Design/Build?
Design/Build is best understood by comparing it to the often used form of project delivery, design-bid-build. Under the design-bid-build process, an owner contracts with multiple businesses to design a structure and another to build it. This framework ends up placing more stress, burden and costs on the owner than necessary. They have to manage multiple design and construction contracts and constantly evaluate which entities advice and direction to rely upon regarding material selection, cost, and project schedule.
However, all of this fragmentation and conflict is avoidable under the Design/Build methodology. Owners manage a single contract with the Design/Build firm, who then assumes responsibility for all segments of the project. Not only does this mean greater efficiency, but it also means owners can rely on their Design/Build partner to be accountable for delivering a building that meets their design needs on time and within budget.
What are some basic benefits of Design/Build?
Design/Build produces a united vision and unified project approach that leads to benefits throughout the entire project. All parties are working together to accomplish the client’s goals the first time.
Crucially, placing a single entity in charge of both designing and building means there is greater collaboration. It can be hard to get separate contractors, each with their own ideas for what will and won't work, to agree on specifics. But that's a non-issue when opting for Design/Build, as the single entity has the means and expertise for both disciplines, which promotes teamwork.
Compared to design-bid-build, a Pennsylvania State University study found Design/Build led to:
● 6.1% lower costs
● 33.5%faster delivery speed
● 5.2% less cost growth
What kind of projects benefit from Design/Build?
In reality, any construction project can benefit from being run under a Design/Build framework. The cost-effective and streamlined capabilities that it offers work for projects in: office, warehouse, health care, retail, entertainment, manufacturing, infrastructure, residential and much more.
What Keystone Construction Company provide as your Design/Build partner
As a Design/Build firm with 30 years of experience, Keystone Construction Company has all of the skills and experience needed to make the perfect Design/Build partner. With a knack for finding creative solutions to deliver projects on time and under budget, Keystone has made a name for itself as a preeminent Design/Build company.
Just ask Harvard University - yes, that Harvard. A professor in the university's Graduate School of Design selected a Keystone project to feature as a case study in "textbook quality" to use in his course. With an extensive portfolio of projects in different industries, Keystone has proven time and again to be a Design/Build leader with refined knowledge and expertise.
Contact Keystone today for more information on our projects and how we can help you succeed.