It's What We Do

Our team offers two different project delivery methods, design-build and design-bid-build. Each follow distinct methodologies, structure teams differently, and have unique advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the right project delivery method depends on the owner’s goals, project size, risk, and complexity.

Design-Build

What is Design-Build?

In this project management approach, a single contract is overseen by the owner-manager, who assumes a central role in the project's execution. The designer and contractor collaborate as a unified team. This collaborative approach fosters a creative environment where innovative solutions are cultivated collectively, ultimately leading to reduced costs and streamlined schedules.

Advantages:

1. Unified Accountability: The architect and contractor function as a single entity, simplifying accountability.
2. Swift Delivery: Often the fastest method to bring a project to completion.
3. Cost Efficiency: Proven to be highly cost-effective.
4. Owner Control: The owner maintains control over the project's design.
5. Early Construction Input: Construction insights are integrated during the design phase.
6. Proactive Issue Identification: Pre-construction stages identify scope overlaps and gaps.
7. Direct Procurement: Procuring construction directly from trades can yield cost benefits.
8. Streamlined Scheduling: Early resolution of design and construction issues leads to an improved project schedule.
9. Early Commencement: Work packaging can enable the construction to start ahead of schedule.
10. Budget Adherence: Tighter control ensures alignment with the scoped budget.
11. Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Experts in design and construction contribute throughout the project.
12. Efficiency Gains: Redundant efforts are minimized, reducing overall project costs.

Disadvantages:

1. Lack of Third-Party Oversight: Exposure to potential shortcomings due to the absence of third-party oversight.
2. Quality Management: The owner must take an active role in quality management decisions.
3. Early Decision Pressure: Owners may face pressure to make early decisions in the project.
4. Critical Owner Involvement: Owner participation at all stages of the process is crucial to success.

Design-Bid-Build

What is Design-Bid-Build?

Design-Bid-Build is a traditional project delivery method characterized by a sequential process in which each phase must be completed before the next one begins. This approach typically has the longest project timeline. In this method, the owner enters into a contract with both the architect and the builder, keeping the design and construction phases separate. The contractor's involvement only commences after the design phase is fully completed.

Advantages:

1. Competitive Bidding: Multiple general contracting firms can provide competitive bids.
2. Third-Party Oversight: The architect can offer contract administration as an impartial third-party oversight.
3. Clear Process: The process is straightforward and easy to understand.
4. Potential Cost Savings: It may result in the lowest construction contract price.

Disadvantages:

1. Increased Change Orders: Contractors bid based on the explicit documents, leading to more change orders when gaps in scope are discovered, with owners bearing the cost.
2. Budget Definition Delay: Construction costs aren't available until the design phase concludes. This may result in design exceeding the budget, necessitating redesigns, value engineering, and re-bidding, all at the owner's expense.
3. Extended Timeline: Since the process is linear, delays in any phase can cause project-wide setbacks. Redesigns, change orders, and poor communication can lead to project delays.
4. Team Conflicts: Since teams operate independently, their focus is often self-centric, which can lead to communication breakdowns, collaboration issues, and strained relationships. These conflicts can result in additional costs, delayed schedules, and even legal disputes.