Design-Build is a delivery method that trades the traditional separation of the design team and the general contractor for a single source point of contact and accountability. In this method, the owner contracts with the general contractor, or Design-Builder, for design and construction services. The Design-Builder, design team and owner all work together as one team from the beginning. This allows for more effective communication and collaboration between the team members, creating value and building rapport and thus eliminating adversarial relationships. Communication is more open, and the transparency of the format lends itself to more accountability and a more efficient use of the team member’s time and resources available. For example, design errors or inconsistencies now will fall under the design/builder’s “umbrella” as opposed to being an issue for the owner. Additionally, some overlap of design and construction can reduce the overall project delivery timeline.
