Design-build
is a system of project delivery that
allows design and construction to be done
simultaneously, rather than
completing the design phase before
the construction begins. A
design-build team works together from the
planning stages until completion. The
flexibility that each team member
displays in the early stages of the
project will result in time and
cost-saving measures later in the
project.
Cost control
is a frequent reason for selecting the
design-build method. In a traditional
delivery system, the owner may not know
the total cost of a project and fears
that the cost will compound once the
client’s needs are identified.
The
design-build process starts with the
owner contracting a design-build firm to
draw up preliminary plans and estimates
for a project. Using this information,
the owner can determine whether the
project suits the program and the budget.
Once the conceptual design and roughly
one-third of the contract documents are
completed, a Guaranteed Maximum Price
(GMP) agreement is produced. GMP is a
written promise that the cost will not
exceed the stated figure, provided the
project stays within its original
agreement. The strength of the
design-build concept is the ability to
begin construction once the conceptual
design is complete, without waiting for
final documents to be completed.
The team work
and intensive communication that takes
place in the design-build system
eliminates the cumbersome decision-making
stage. A design-build team works together
through each phase of the project,
continually gathering information from
the people who will ultimately use the
facility.
Selecting Subs
The team
approach to any project extends to the
relationship the owner has with its
subcontractors. This is important because
the owner should not only consider low
bids, but also the knowledge and
expertise of the subcontractors. The
owner who participates becomes
comfortable and appreciates how valuable
the partnership of client, subcontractor
and 3D/Group really is.
3D’s
project management team works closely
with its subcontractors because they can
offer valuable feedback as the project
progresses, allowing the team to foresee
and prevent potential problems.
Traditional delivery systems that
separate the parties involved probably
will not achieve the required
flexibility.
Cost Savings
Team work and
flexibility usually result in substantial
savings. 3D/Group’s project
management team continue to plan
throughout a project so that they can
outline cost saving measures that make
design sense, which enhances quality
rather than compromising it.
Based upon
previous facilities engineering and
renovation experience, 3D/Group, Inc. has
discovered that design-build is the best
method suited to manage projects that
require speed and flexibility while
remaining within the budget.
