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What are the Advantages of Design-Build?

There are only two ways to complete a construction project in Canada. You can use a “design-build” or a “design-bid-build” project delivery method.

This confusing jargon describes the possible ways of executing a construction project and your choice depends on how much you know about the building industry.

Design-build takes a done-for-you delivery approach, while design-bid-build is more hands-on.

Most people recommend going with a design-build service such as  BUILT IT Calgary, and there are several reasons why.

image - What are the Advantages of Design-Build?
What are the Advantages of Design-Build?

Enjoy the Benefits of Teamwork

You’ll be surprised at the number of building professionals needed to make a construction project a success.

There’s the design team that includes an architect and interior designers. There’s a construction team that includes engineers, builders, electricians, plumbers, and more.

Having these professionals on the same team creates a unified workflow that gets things done correctly and according to code.

The builder might see a design flaw in the plan and collaborate with the designer and engineer to find a quick and solid solution.

However, this seemingly simple process can get overwhelmingly complex when dealing with different teams.

Total Accountability

Dealing with one contractor during the entire project duration creates an opportunity for total accountability.

Knowing this, the designer-builder team usually takes careful consideration of timelines, costs, and the final result.

The company’s reputation is at stake with every project and that motivates the team to get it right at every turn.

However, no construction project goes strictly according to plan. There may be a couple of unforeseen challenges, which usually translate to off-budget costs.

The entity that pays for these surprise expenses depends on the terms and conditions of the contract.


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Get the Best Team for the Project

Nothing brings more peace of mind than knowing you have the best construction company working on your project.

You know they have the best talent, all the equipment needed, and numerous connections in the industry.

That means you don’t have to risk your hard-earned money with unreliable subcontractors or have to chase evasive suppliers.

The general contractor takes care of everything, then gives you real-time updates.

Owner Involvement

A general contractor’s main task is to take the owner’s ideas and turn them into a beautifully finished building.

And everyone involved hopes everything will go as planned.

To avoid potential issues, the general contractor has to keep the owner in the loop every step of the way.

This involvement might result in alterations that may delay the project, but customer satisfaction is usually the main priority.

That’s why most construction experts advise first-time homeowners to go with the design-build project delivery method.

Idea Validation

If you suddenly have a genius idea that “has to be” in the plan, the general contractor will not just implement it as is. They have to evaluate everything and consult an engineer or interior designer to make sure everything checks out. That also means they will be brutally honest about the budget, timelines, and any potential inconveniences.

When taking a design-bid-build approach, the general contractor will walk you through the entire process from start to finish and alert you of any potential problems.

Time Savings

Anybody who has managed construction projects knows deadlines are the biggest problem.

Nothing seems to arrive on time, and team members often miss their daily targets due to unavoidable circumstances.

With the design-build project delivery method, everybody involved in the design and construction is on the same team.

That means decision-making will happen faster to allow for timely implementation.

You can also have meetings with the team to discuss important issues such as deadlines.

Cost Saving

Construction is a capital-intensive venture, and cost-saving is always welcome. And that’s where the design-build project delivery method really shines.

While the general contractor may have the upper hand in pricing, they usually charge standard rates to attract more clients.

Generally, you get a 6% reduction in the overall cost of delivery with a quicker turnaround.

You will also save a lot of money by avoiding specialized teams that always seem to overcharge their services.

Leverage the Contractor’s Experience

General contractors usually know everything about construction. They are involved in every step of the way, including designing and the actual construction.

They also know all the good suppliers and subcontractors in town, which is a huge plus.

If you were managing a construction project as a non-professional, the chances of losing money and having a less-than-ideal result are pretty high.

You also don’t have any connections in the industry, which means you’ll have difficulty finding reliable subcontractors and suppliers.

Everything considered, using the design-build project delivery method is the best way to approach a construction project.

The idea is to find a great general contractor with lots of projects in their portfolio, and you should be just fine.

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Published by
Perla Irish