Evaluation of Design-Build and General Contractor
1. Introduction
After planning a new construction/remodeling or creating idea for new project in mind, the question is how we can make plan/ idea to be real. On the other hand how a required builder (contractor) must be selected. One of the owner choices is to pick between; general contractor or a design-build firm.
Normally a general contractor has not any participation with the owner for developing the design documents. A general contractor manages the construction/remodeling parts of a building with proceeding all steps based on the provided design and plans.
In design build projects, we do not have neither a separate architect nor a separate builder, they are working cooperatively to cover each other for the project target. In most design–build companies, they also take care of the engineering work required to build or remodeling and getting final approval and follow the permitting process. In a simple word Design-Build is a one step, all-in-one method to build or remodel home project.
2. Advantages of Design-Build
- In design-build method, the owner can make an educated decision about how to spend the original budget cost and extra costs for additional luxuries features.
- In design process in a cooperative way with the owner, cost of various items and features will discussed. The owner may add a luxurious feature, the builder will express what it would add to the project price.
- Budget money can be saved during the design and planning step of the project. This is because the builder may advise you what you would save if you do not set a specific feature in your design, or in other hand recommend you to consider the features to acquire some features included in design that is more essential for you.
- In design-build process you are aware about everything in design steps, therefore you will not surprises at the end of the design phase or construction work. You know itemized cost of project and you consciously proceed into the construction phase.
- Design-build updates the development subsequent in design and construction process including; on time scheduled and even faster project progress, higher quality of the work, project budget ensuring and even reducing the costs and limiting the arguments between owner and contractor. Those are because the clarifications to project problems are already presented and discussed prior to construction phase.