Understanding The Pros and Cons of the Design-Build Process

There are a few main construction delivery methods. Broken into categories, there is typically either one of two processes: design-bid-build and design-build. Most construction companies will be able to accommodate either approach, though there are some subtle (and some not so subtle) differences.

Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the design-build process to help you determine if it is the best choice for your construction project.

Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build: Which is Right for Your MN Project?

Quick Summary:

• Design-Build: A unified, single-point-of-contact approach where BCI handles everything from plans to finalization. Best for efficiency and lower costs.
• Design-Bid-Build: A traditional process focused on higher owner involvement, competitive bidding, and more granular project control.

Feature	Design-Build (BCI Specialized)	Design-Bid-Build
Contact Point	Single Point of Contact	Multiple Parties/Contracts
Speed/Timeline	Faster (Simplified process)	Slower Turnaround
Owner Involvement	Streamlined/Simplified	Hands-on / High Involvement
Cost Focus	Lower costs (Fewer parties)	Competitive Bidding / Value Engineering
Conflict Risk	Fewer disputes & delays	Potential for interruptions

The Design-Build Construction Method Explained

BCI Construction specializes in design-build practices. The basic process of design-build construction is to utilize one building company to develop a single point of contact throughout the entire build. This includes everything from designing building plans and developing estimates to the entire build and finalization process. We find that many clients benefit from the simple, unified approach that the design-build process takes.

Key Benefits of Choosing Design-Build for Your Facility

When taking on a design-build team, a project owner gets all the benefits of hiring a general contractor. The team comes with the same expertise, commitment, and availability to the project owner, as well as the duties of contracting an architect, engineer, subcontractors, material suppliers, and specialists to complete the entire build process. 

Some of the main benefits of choosing this process over a general contractor include: 

• Simplifying designing, planning, and building processes through a single point of contact
• Fewer parties involved in the project mean lower costs
• Fewer disputes, interruptions, and delays –making it easier to stay on schedule and meet goals
• Access to a full team of experts and industry specialists

Is Design-Build Right for You? Potential Drawbacks to Consider

The design-build process is not always the best choice for a project. The basic draw for a design-bid-build process is a build with a slower turnaround, but more involvement on the part of the project owner. Pricing, project clarity, and control are under much more control in a design-bid-build process, though not all project owners wish to have such a hands-on level of involvement. 

Some of the main drawbacks of the design-build process include: 

• High level of trust and communication is required
• There is no competitive bidding taking place 
• Design-bid-build allows time for value engineering and more cost-effective approaches, which can extend the overall timeline of the project.
• More owner involvement in the build process 

The team at BCI Construction can operate under many construction roles, including CMR, CMAR, Design-Build, and General Construction. Contact us today to discover the best process for your next project.