Why School Districts Should Consider
Design-Build Delivery

During the initial stages of preparing for any construction project, a school district must select a delivery method that matches its goals and objectives. Many times, we see clients default to a design-bid-build (DBB) or a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) delivery model without considering the benefits design-build (DB) affords.

Design-build is a delivery method in which the engineering, design, and construction of a project are procured from a single entity contract. The award of the contract is made to a design-build firm that then manages multiple contractors and all communication on behalf of the school district. This method not only affords the opportunity to commit to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), but it also promotes team collaboration from the start. Additionally, this collaborative approach offers less risk for school districts by shifting the risk to the design-build firm.

How design-build differs from traditional design-bid-build

• Engineers, construction managers, commissioning agents, and owners participate during the design phase

• The team is focused on designing to a fixed or target budget rather than bidding on an approved design

• Ability to better match contractor skills, experience, performance, and location with the project needs

• The project goal is to obtain the best value with a target budget

• Historically lower change order rate, fewer claims, and a shorter project schedule

• Alignment of owner goals fosters a win-win philosophy between owner, engineer, and trades

• Fosters teamwork based on a partnership that adds efficiency