Design Build vs Traditional Construction

One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make before embarking on a construction project concerns the project’s delivery method. Two common approaches are design-build and traditional construction. Understanding the difference can help determine which method best aligns with your project’s budget, goals, and timeline.

Traditional Construction: A Sequential Approach

Traditional construction, also known as design-bid-build, is characterized by its linear phases: design, bidding, and construction. First, the architect or engineer is hired to create the project designs. Once finalized, the project is put out for bidding, allowing various contractors to submit proposals. Finally, construction begins when the project is awarded to the winning bid.

Here are the advantages of this approach:

Specialization

Since each phase is handled separately, there’s a high degree of specialization. Architects and engineers can focus solely on the design aspects without the constraints of other construction considerations.

Competitive Bidding

Bidding promotes competition between contractors, which can lower construction costs.

Client Control

The owner retains significant control over the entire process, particularly in choosing the designer and contractor separately based on criteria like expertise and cost.

However, there are disadvantages to this approach:

Time Consuming

The sequential nature can lead to longer time spent on a project. Waiting for one phase to complete before you can start the next adds time and has the potential for significant delays.

Increased Complexity

Managing multiple contracts and different parties can complicate project administration and communication, often leading to disputes or misunderstandings.

Cost Variability

Since the design is completed before the contractor gets involved, unexpected changes during construction can result in higher costs caused by modifying the original plan.

Design-Build

In comparison, the design-build approach integrates design and construction services under one contract, with a single entity responsible for creating the designs and building the project. This method allows for tighter collaboration between designers and builders from the project’s outset, which can result in higher customer satisfaction.

Here are some advantages:

Time Efficiency

The design and construction phases overlap, which can significantly reduce the project timeline. Quick decision-making and identifying problems early during the design phase can prevent delays that typically occur in other methods.

Cost Savings

With a unified team, predicting and controlling the project’s budget is easier. The design-build team works to keep the project within budget, providing cost estimates during design and adjusting plans as needed without significant disruptions or delays.

Enhanced Communication

Having a single point of responsibility improves communication. The client needs to coordinate with only one entity, reducing back-and-forth with multiple factions and reducing conflicts.

The disadvantages of this approach are:

Less Competitive Pricing

Not allowing contractors to bid on jobs can lead to higher initial costs since there is no competition.

Limited Design Options

Clients might find design options more restricted to the building process being considered early in the design phase.

Reduced Oversight

With one team handling everything, clients might feel they have less oversight and control over the design and construction details, which can lead to problems if trust issues arise.

What Is the Best Choice for You?

Choosing between design-build and traditional construction depends on what aspects of the project are most important to you. Design-build offers a streamlined and collaborative approach if time and integrated solutions are a priority.

However, traditional construction might be better if you want more control over each phase and the opportunity to minimize costs through competitive bids.

Let New Horizon Construction Services Help

We’re a licensed, bonded, and insured MBE General Contractor in Central Florida. We provide pre-construction, construction management, design-build, and general contractor services for clients nationwide.

Let us help you with your next construction project. Contact us today at 407-574-2164 or reach us online.