You’re probably familiar with the design-bid-build construction project. You start with the architect, who works with an engineer to design the project. Once the design is finished, you put the project up for bid and select a builder. Sometimes disputes of responsibility or direction arise between the builder and the architect that can prove to be costly in both time and money.
According to Louis E. Rowe, P.E., a successful design-build project requires:
Design/Build is an alternative approach that streamlines the process of tenant improvement or building and enables budget discipline from beginning to end. The design/build firm will take full responsibility for design, construction, and satisfactory completion by delivering the project on time and on budget.
There are many horror stories out there, including the tenant improvement that was supposed to take three month and ends up going on for a year or more. Plus, the budget isn’t meant to handle another six months of work so you are expected to fork up the extra cash.
The worst part is this is what people have come to expect from all construction projects. However, with a design/build firm, you can completely change what this process has become.