“Over half of owners indicated using or anticipate using design-build in the next five years.” – FMI Design-Build Market Study Survey (2018)
Traditionally, design-bid-build has been the project delivery method favored by owners, with design-build used only in particular circumstances. But that is now changing, especially as projects become more complex and speed-to-market becomes a more influential deal point.
Choosing the right project delivery system is a critical part of the owner’s decision-making process. Fortunately, familiarity with design-build among owners in both the private and public sector is increasing. According to the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), the design-build delivery system is now the fastest-growing construction method used to deliver projects across America.
What is Design-Build?
Design-build is a construction delivery method where the designer and contractor work together (under a single contract, as a unified team) from the beginning. With this delivery method, the contractor is enabled to control costs through the design and construction phases of the work. Correctly executed, the design-build delivery method often results in significant cost savings and faster speed-to-market.
When a project is channeled through a single contract between the owner and the design-build team, it creates a mindset shift, ultimately “…transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance that fosters collaboration and teamwork” says DBIA.
As a team working together under a single contract, Shockey and its design partner strategically overlap the design and construction stages. This integrated approach places a high emphasis on schedule, trade sequencing, and constructability while maintaining the owner’s architectural design goals, program requirements, and budget.
“We believe design-build partnerships often get the job done better and faster. Owners see fewer change orders, gain an accelerated construction schedule, and lock in a guaranteed maximum price,” says Jeff Boehm, President of Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc.
We recommend an early alliance between the project owner and an experienced design-build partner. Even if your project is just an idea, it’s not too early to get started. We have preconstruction specialists standing by to help evaluate your construction solutions for a wide range of project types, both new construction, and renovation.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of design-build for your next project, we invite you to contact Colleen Smith by email or at (804) 788-8016.