Design-Build Construction: The Complete Owner’s Guide

Design-Build Construction: The Complete Owner’s Guide

Choosing a project delivery method can make or break a construction timeline. Design-build puts a single team in charge of both design and construction, creating one contract, one point of responsibility, and a shared goal: deliver your project faster with fewer surprises.

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What Is Design-Build?

Design-build combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof. Instead of hiring an architect and then bidding the plans to contractors, the owner signs a single agreement with a design-build firm that handles concept, permitting, and construction.

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Key Advantages

Speed and Efficiency

Parallel design and construction compress schedules. Early cost input prevents expensive redesigns.

Unified Accountability

One entity owns the budget, schedule, and quality. Fewer change orders and no “finger-pointing.”

Better Collaboration

Architects, engineers, and builders work as one integrated team, improving communication and constructability.

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How It Differs from Other Methods

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• Design-Bid-Build keeps design and construction separate, encouraging price competition but often causing delays and disputes.
  
  
• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) shares risk and reward across parties but requires complex multi-party agreements.
  
  

Cost and Risk

While design-build can reduce rework, owners must choose a team with a proven record. Pricing is usually negotiated rather than competitively bid, so transparency in budgeting is critical.

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Steps in a Design-Build Project

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1. Owner Goals & Budget – Define scope, performance criteria, and target cost.
   
   
2. Team Selection – Evaluate firms on experience, safety record, and financial stability.
   
   
3. Pre-Construction & Design – Early site studies, permitting strategy, and cost modeling.
   
   
4. Construction & Commissioning – Continuous collaboration from groundbreaking to final hand-off.
   
   

When Design-Build Shines

Projects with aggressive timelines, complex engineering, or a need for early cost certainty—such as healthcare facilities, education buildings, and large-scale tenant improvements—benefit most.

Discover Klasik's approach to design build here

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the main benefit of design-build?

A single contract and unified team streamline communication and reduce costly change orders.

Is design-build more expensive?

Not necessarily. Up-front collaboration often lowers total project cost by reducing delays and rework.

How do I choose a design-build firm?

Look for a licensed contractor with in-house design capabilities, strong safety metrics, and a portfolio of projects similar to yours.

Can public projects use design-build?

Yes. The U.S. General Services Administration and many state agencies provide guidelines for public procurement.

What’s the typical timeline?

Every project differs, but overlapping design and construction phases can cut months off a traditional schedule.

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