Guide to Design-Build Project Delivery in CT
What is Design-Build project delivery?
Design-build is a construction project delivery method that has a builder and designer work together on a single contract from the start of a project to promote collaboration. The O’Dell Group Design-Build delivery method is progressive and is becoming an industry standard; It promotes faster project completion times, better budget estimates and a better end result. Rather than placing the onus on the client to manage each contract and subcontract, the Design-Build Project Delivery System provides a unified team to manage your needs.
Beyond the obvious benefits of single-source contracting, decades of research has consistently shown that the Design-Build Project Delivery Method promotes collaboration and innovation, increases efficiency, and reduces costs.
For a home construction process that fosters positive relationships and maximizes productivity, design-build is the way to go. It is becoming the new industry standard.
[Hedgewood Lane - Kitchen - Westport, Connecticut]
Out With The Old, In With The New
Design-Bid-Build versus Design-Build
The traditional method, Design-Bid-Build, is somewhat set in stone before the project begins. The main problem: each construction niche is incentivized to remain siloed. As a result, electricians don’t know what plumbers are doing, who don’t know what welders are doing–and none of them have substantial intel when an expectation changes either within one of the other niches or from the top down. When adjustments are needed, each subcontractor or team has to decide how best to do so within the context of timeline, budget, and materials. Even if they try their best, they often miss the mark on the most effective course corrections.
Increased state and local government backing have led to 43 states having full or largely permitted authorization to use this method during public agency projects. The method is growing in popularity, and 82% of surveyed home owners say they plan to use design-build within the next five years. (Source) The design-build approach creates one entity under one contract, making a more unified flow of work compared to traditional methods that are less unified and have multiple entities and contracts involved. This delivery method yields benefits that contribute better outcomes for the site, client, team and the finished result. These include increased project speed, reduced costs, more collaboration, less risk, and fewer mistakes during the project.
[Wedgewood Road - Outdoor Living - Westport, Connecticut]
Becoming the Most-Requested Project Delivery Method
Previously thought of as the project “alternative method,” design-build is quickly becoming the premier project delivery standard. One of the reasons for its wider-spread adoption is that state legislations in favor of it. With the increase in state and local government backing, it’s no surprise that 43 states now have full or widely permitted authorization to utilize design-build for not only private construction, but public agency projects that utilize taxpayer money. It is quickly overtaking the old design-bid-build standard for many reasons.
Benefits of Design-Build
Increased project speed
Identifying a “delivery schedule” is usually the most significant influence of project delivery method selection for homeowner clients. Our clients want the work done on time. The quicker, the better. In traditional models, valuable time is consumed by the bidding process and by the creation and management of multiple contracts for each of the entities involved. With design-build, there is typically no bidding process, and with only one contract, the process is significantly streamlined.”
Reduced cost
Cost is a critical deciding factor in project delivery selection. Design-build has a total project budget established at the beginning of the project. Establishing an accurate budget eliminates last minute surprises, as much as possible.
The research shows that alternative delivery methods provide a greater chance of meeting the initial budget than does design-bid-build. While the delivery method might look like more money up front, the cost savings in the long-run can be substantially more than other delivery models.
Increased Collaboration (Less Risk Involved)
In Design-Build, everyone is working for one common project goal. With traditional Design-Bid-Build models, there’s a strong tendency for separate trades and teams to work on just what’s in their own best interest. This has shown to lead to disconnection, miscommunication and error.
On the other hand, the collaborative process of the Design-Build method utilizes and encourages teamwork, develops deeper levels of cooperation, stimulates information sharing, enhances transparent communication between project members and improves the overall quality and project completion.
The O’Dell Group picture in early stages of log cabin project. Weston, Connecticut. 2021.
Design-build continues to grow in popularity and The O’Dell Group is excited to help introduce it to Connecticut. If you’re an owner considering which delivery method is right for you, we are here to support you in that process. Projects can benefit enormously from Design-Build delivery method and experts at The O’Dell Group would love to show you first hand how we make it work for you.
