Many people are amazed when they find out how enormous the market for commercial building construction is. In the United States alone, people spend more than $231 billion on this industry every single year. It takes more than 230,000 people around the country to keep up with commercial construction needs.
One of the most exciting innovations in the construction industry in recent history has been design build construction. However, many people still wonder, “What is design build construction?”
In this article, you will learn more about how this approach to construction compares to traditional alternatives. Understanding that will help you appreciate some of the benefits of design build construction methods.
On top of that, we will explore several other benefits that may not be obvious at first glance. So what is design build construction, and how does it work?
Read on to learn all about design build construction and why it might be the right choice for your commercial building project!
What Is Design Build Construction?
In design build construction processes, the architect and the contractor work together. So how does this contrast with alternative construction processes?
In most cases, the architect will only be involved during the design process. Once that is done, the contractors will work alone to bring that design to fruition.
In design-build construction approaches, the architect is part of the design-build team with the contractor and they work together during all stages of the construction process. That means that the architect and commercial contractor have input in making the design of your new building into a physical reality. You don’t have to hire separate trades.
Of course, the property owner will also have a lot of input during the design and construction stages of the building process.
This approach to commercial construction has been growing in popularity in recent years. There are many advantages that come from having architects and contractors work together as a single team. In the years to come, design build construction processes may become the default rather than an exciting new idea because of the advantages it provides.
Increase Accountability With a Design Build Contract
One of the biggest benefits of the design build approach is that it improves accountability. In other approaches to construction, contractors and architects sometimes have a tendency to blame each other for problems.
This can make it difficult for the owner to hold anyone accountable. After all, if a professional contractor says that a problem is the fault of the architect, the owner may not have the expertise necessary to assess that claim.
This can also make it difficult for the owner to know who to talk to if any part of the building process is not satisfactory. However, things are different with the design build delivery method. You can speak with the unified team of the architect and contractor.
Build a Building With Greater Continuity
Continuity leads to smoother construction processes. In other construction methods, the architect works alone to create the building design. Once they hand it off to the contractor, they are often no longer involved at all.
In theory, a blueprint will contain everything the contractor needs to know to create the building. In practice, there are a lot of details that can fall through the cracks.
The design-build construction approach allows the architect and contractor to discuss every aspect of the blueprint. Any misunderstandings can be resolved through simple dialogue.
Benefit From Comprehensive Expertise
As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one.
Likewise, two combined areas of expertise are often better than each in isolation. The perspective of the architect can go a long way toward helping the contractors make important construction decisions. On the other hand, the expertise of your contractor can help your architect make the best design decisions for your blueprint.
As we have discussed, the design build construction approach also allows for a fruitful dialogue between the architect and the contractor. If something does not make sense to one part of the team, the other team member can help clarify things.
Articulate a Clear Vision
When you are building a building, you will need to articulate your vision to your construction team. That means helping the architect understand what you want so that they can design the right blueprint for you. Once they are done, how are you supposed to know if the blueprint captures your vision or not?
In many cases, owners have to trust that the blueprint does what they hope it does. In some cases, owners will not discover if it does or not until the building is complete. At that point, it will be too late to correct any mistakes in the architect’s vision of your desired property.
However, having your vision shared by the architect and contractor as a team means you can work with both the architect and contractor throughout the process to come to a consensus about your design. By working together, there is a higher chance that you will enjoy the exact building you are hoping for.
Enjoy More Construction Collaboration
In traditional construction approaches, the owner has to manage the architect and the contractor. In some cases, the architect and contractor are not even allowed to interact. However, the design build approach solves this problem.
Your architect and contractor will work closely together. They will come up with their own plans of action before running them by you. That gives you control over your construction process.
It also means that you do not have to convince either the contractor or the architect to go along with the plans of the other. This can be a stressful part of traditional construction projects.
Keep Communication Streamlined
Traditional construction approaches can lead to significant delays. You will have to communicate with two separate teams and companies. However, you can enjoy faster communication with the design build construction approach.
Suppose that the architect is not available for a day or so. With the design build construction method, you can still get your message to the contractor without delay. As soon as either member of your team receives your message, they will have the responsibility to make sure that nothing happens without taking your instructions into account.
You can contrast this to what happens during other construction approaches. If the architect is busy for a day or so, you might not be able to get the information you need to the contractor until they are available. If the contractor is busy at another time, that can lead to extra hours or days of delay.
Even once you communicate with the architect and the contractor, they may need to clarify things with each other before proceeding. However, they will have to ask you to act as the go-between for their communication needs.
These simple problems can lead to huge delays over the course of a new building construction. Many people choose the design build construction approach to save time and money.
Benefit From Greater Flexibility
Using traditional construction methods, it is risky to alter a construction plan once it has begun. The contractor may not understand all of the reasons why the architect designed something a certain way. It is often safest to follow the original plan even if it is not ideal.
However, the design build construction method allows for greater flexibility. If you change your mind part way through the building process, you can speak with the architect and contractor together. They can brainstorm ways to incorporate your updated preferences.
Save Money With a Design Build Contract
Design build construction approaches also cut down on unexpected expenses. This is partially because of the combined expertise of your architect and contractor. It is also due to the streamlined communication between team members.
Using traditional methods, misunderstandings are more common. They can force contractors to redo parts of the construction process.
That can wreak havoc on your bank account. When your architect and contractor work together, your construction process will encounter fewer surprise expenses.
Enjoy Your New Property Faster
If you want your new building as fast as possible, you should consider the design build construction method. Teams that work together get the job done faster. They avoid time-consuming mistakes as well as delays due to inefficient communication.
Understand the Nuances of Design Build Construction
If you have ever asked yourself, “What is design build construction?”, we hope that this article has answered your question. Many people are amazed when they find out about this innovative approach to creating a building. Understanding more about the benefits of this method can help you decide if it is right for you.
To learn more about how you can find the best design build construction services for your needs, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!