Design-Build vs Design-Bid-Build

TriCon Builders has successfully completed many projects using the Design-Build methodology. In a Design-Build relationship, the owner, architect, engineers, and contractor collectively work together to maintain the integrity of the owner’s needs and desires while considering budgets and schedules. This team oriented approach allows us to establish a project’s cost very early on and helps the team control potential overruns and project scope creep.

Design-Build construction gives an owner greater project control by working through preliminary design phases, cost analysis, document completion, construction, and project closeout via a single point of contact. In contrast, using a Design-Bid-Build or “Traditional Method” decreases construction and delivery speed and is proven to increase costs.

The Design-Build method, on average, results in a cost reduction of 6% and overall project timeline savings of 33% when compared to design-bid-build (or "Traditional Method").The timelines illustrate high level project phases for each method:

In addition to the real dollar and time savings, Design-Build projects get everyone together at the beginning of the project. The Traditional Method doesn't select a contractor until just before construction is scheduled to start. Costs are determined much sooner in the timeline and re-bids and re-designs are rare.

As Construction Managers, TriCon Builder's Design-Build method also puts the Project Owner (probably you) in a great place to be involved at the appropriate times with the appropriate people. We understand you hired us to be construction experts so you don't have. You will maintain a single point of contact from start to finish. They will consult with you and keep you informed for the duration of the project.

The source for all statistics is from Construction Industry Institute/Penn State research comprising 351 projects ranging from 5,000 to 2.5 million square feet. Tricon sees very similar, or even better, results from utilizing the design-build method.