Have you ever heard of the term “design-build”? It’s a relatively new concept in the construction industry that’s becoming increasingly popular. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it benefit construction projects? In traditional construction projects, architects and engineers design the building, and then contractors bid on the project to construct it. However, this process can lead to miscommunication, delays, and increased costs. That’s where design-build comes in.
Design-build is a project delivery method where the design and construction phases are contracted to a single entity. This approach has many advantages, including streamlined communication and a faster project completion time. One company that has mastered this approach is Trehel Corporation, a full-service general contractor located in South Carolina.
With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Trehel has become a trusted name for delivering high-quality design-build projects in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what design-build is and how it could benefit your next construction project.
The Design-Build Process
Design-build is a construction project delivery technique where designers and builders work collaboratively under a single contract. It is where the builders and designers enter into a contract with the construction project owner to offer design and construction services. The design-build process is quickly becoming an industry standard since it fosters a collaborative environment where knowledge and expertise are shared. Any changes made during the design-build process are communicated to the entire team. This reduces problems and translates to lower project expenses and faster completion times.
Three Benefits of the Design-Build Process
Some of the benefits of the project delivery method include:
Reduce project expenses: Design-build allows for budget estimation at the initial stages of the project. As a result, it establishes an accurate project budget, thus eliminating any unseen costs. In addition, due to fewer design changes and mistakes, there is a significant potential for cost savings.
Reduce lead times: With a unified team from the onset, there is increased collaboration, enabling smoother project delivery. Also, since design-build relies on continual communication, there are fewer delays, and projects are completed much faster.
Integrated Roles: With design-build, the roles of the constructor and designer are unified. This unified workflow streamlines project delivery and fosters collaborative teamwork.
The design-build approach reduces blame shifting since the culture of collaboration clears up misunderstandings and puts everyone on the same page. It also prevents the designers and builders from being caught in contract disputes. In addition, this method is highly preferred because project delivery is enhanced with a unified team. Design-build delivers superior quality as the designers and contractors work together to meet performance needs. More so, as a project owner, the risks associated are minimized. This is because the designers and builders are solely accountable for the project’s performance. Therefore, they must ensure that the project scope and budget are met.
Traditional Project Delivery Method vs. Design-Build Project Delivery Method
So, what is the difference between traditional and design-build project delivery methods?
The main difference is that the team works under a unified contract with the construction project owner. This allows the owners to have a single point of responsibility. In traditional project delivery, there are several contracts for services offered. Also, the project owners become the middle person and are engaged if disputes arise between the designers and the contractors.
In traditional project delivery, there is a tendency to separate teams and allow them to specialize in their fields. This leads to miscommunication and a lack of collaboration, unlike in design-build, which has a collaborative approach with increased information sharing and transparency between teams.
Trehel’s Design-Build: Meeting and Exceeding Client Expectations
With over 40 years of experience, Trehel is committed to providing its clients with the best possible construction services. As a design-build firm, Trehel takes on the responsibility of both designing and constructing a project, resulting in better communication and a streamlined process. To meet and exceed client expectations, Trehel ensures that its clients are informed and prepared to make the best decision possible for their upcoming construction projects.
Whether it’s commercial, multifamily, or industrial development projects, Trehel is committed to making its clients’ project designs come alive.
Contact Trehel today to learn more about their design-build services.
