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Design/Build
Design/Build is a project delivery system which evolved from increased sophistication on the part of the owner/developers and the pressure of economic needs.
Traditionally, owners employed architects and engineers to produce complete plans and specifications which were then completitively bid by general contractors. The lowest bidder was awarded a contract to build the project exactly as designed and under the supervision by the architect. The owner dealt with the two parties who were often in adversarial positions. The sequential process consumed more time and allowed little to no exercise of cost saving ingenuity by the contractor.
Using the design/build approach, owners select a contractor experienced in projects of the type desired. The contractor employs an architect/engineer to be a team member. Jointly they produce a project incorporating functional and aesthetic needs sensitive to the owners cost and time requirements.
Under design/build contracts an owner is assured of:
- Early establishment of overall cost
- Single point accountablility
- Decreased owner involvement
- Condensed overall schedule
- Earlier return on investment
- Optimum cost
- Fewer change orders