Design Build
with AT Mechanical
What is design build?
Design Build (DB) construction is a project delivery system used in the construction industry. It is a method to deliver a project in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the Design Builder or Design Build Contractor.
In contrast to Plan & Spec, Design Build places sole responsibility on our end of the contract and it is used to minimize risks for the project owner. It reduces the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project, saving time and money.
AT Mechanical understands that this type of delivery method can be more attractive to project owners since the DB contract would deem subcontractors, such as us, liable for the work of a project, creating a safety cushion for building owners and developers.
What Design-Build Is and What Design-Build Isn't
In Design-Build Construction, the owner contracts with one entity for both the design and construction.
Under design-build, the owner takes on significant risks because of that position. At the end of the day, each system has its place and a lot of the decision depends on the quality of the designers and the quality of the contractors. The choice is ultimately of the client/owner(s).
Proper design build construction is only executed by engineer-contractors who are PASSIONATE about design, BELIEVE in what they are doing and are PERSISTANT in reaching the goals of a project. A true design-build contractor must have the capability to design a project with ALL the client/owner's project requirements, fulfilled at the best value in the shortest time frame. This feature, and the safety provided by the DB process, makes Design-Build the ideal choice for the right kind of projects.
Design-Build is sometimes compared to the "master builder" approach, one of the oldest forms of construction procedure. Comparing design-build to plan and spec, the authors of Design-Build Contracting Handbook noted that "From a historical perspective the so-called traditional "plans and spec's" approach is actually a very recent concept, only being in use approximately 150 years. In contrast, the design-build concept- also known as the "master builder" concept- has been reported as being in use for over four millennia."
Proponents of the Design-Build method claim:
1. Design-Build saves time and money for the owner.
2. Designers often make cost designs that are outside their area of expertise.
3. A knowledgeable contractor with extensive design experience, including experience with certain project types, is the best choice for a designer.
4. Design-Build allows owners to avoid being placed directly between the Architect/Engineer and the contractor, dramatically reducing liability and costs. This is crucial as claims are consistently less than in Plan and Spec construction.
design-build institute of america
Formed in 1993, The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) is an organization that defines, teaches and promotes sound practices Design-Build. DBIA promotes the value of DB project delivery and teaches the effective integration of design and construction services to ensure success for Owners and design and construction practitioners, while promoting and enhancing the proper utilization of the Design-Build method of procurement and contracting. Its membership is composed of design and construction industry professionals, as well as project owners.
Design Build Construction Risk, Cost and Schedule Reduction
Design-build replaces the responsibility for design errors and omissions on the Design-Builder, relieving the owner of major legal and managerial responsibilities. The burden for these costs and associated risks are transferred to the design-build team. The cost and schedule reduction and decreased litigation associated with DB project delivery have been demonstrated repeatedly.
A benchmarking and claims study by Victor O. Schinnerer, one of the world's largest firms underwriting professional liability and specialty insurance programs, found that from 1995-2004, only 1.3% of construction claims were made against DB contractors.