Design Build - The New Normal
Design build project delivery simplifies projects and reduces risk because the owner manages only one contract with a single point of responsibility. The designers and contractors are on the same team allowing a unified response to changes and challenges. The traditional design-bid-build method requires the owner to manage multiple contracts and relationships, settling disputes between designers and contractors. Conflict and finger pointing can occur, forcing the owner into a dispute resolution role.
Operational Benefits of Design Build:
- Faster build
- Lower costs
- Project price proposal delivered before spending on design and working drawings
- Single point of responsibility
- Designer and builder on the same team
- Realistic project costs established early in design phase
- Less Disputes, the owner is not the mediator between designer and builder
- Less change orders
- Warranty/performance guarantee for completed project
- Option to shift maintenance and operation risk to design build contractor
Cost Comparison of Project Delivery Methods
The Construction Industry Institute (CII)/Penn State researched 351 projects ranging from 5,000 to 2.5 million square feet and found the following:
Metric | Design Build vs Design Bid Build |
Design Build vs Construction Management at Risk |
---|---|---|
Unit Cost | 6.1% lower | 4.5% lower |
Construction Speed | 12% faster | 7% faster |
Delivery Speed | 33.5% faster | 23.5% faster |
Cost Growth | 5.2% less | 12.6% less |
Schedule Growth | 11.4% less | 2.2% less |
Risk Transference from Owner to Design Build Team:
- Cost Control
- Project Schedule
- Performance of completed project
- Quality of completed project
- Compliance with codes and standards
Peterson Capabilities
Offering design build services requires advanced capabilities from a supplier. Peterson has invested heavily in our capabilities and brings significant resources:
- Seasoned, knowledgeable sales force, that work with most advanced companies and agencies
- In-house design and engineering teams in San Leandro, California and Portland, Oregon
- In-house fabrication shops and OEM certified instructors
- Full time project managers experienced with complex integration
- World renowned products backed by project performance warranties
- Global partnerships with vendors who support design build