As an increasing number of banking institutions open new branch offices to accommodate the needs of customers, the necessity of cost and time-effective construction is paramount.  Overseeing the day-in and day-out of a construction project is time consuming and can be frustrating, but by working with a construction firm that offers design/build preconstruction services, the responsibilities inherent to a building project are all under the same roof of the contractor.

While the traditional design/bid/build method is more frequently used, the design/build approach is on the rise and for a number of good reasons.

The advantages of this delivery method are many, beginning with the minimal time commitment required by the building owner throughout the process. Construction firms offering the design/build approach take over the project’s reins in all aspects, beginning with appointing a team leader to interact with and update the project client. Strategic alignment is conducted with design professionals, including architects, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, design/build subcontractors and other consultants, as needed; these team relationships help to ensure a successful project where all involved are on the same page.

Single Person in Charge of Process

On a design/build project, the general contractor is the single point of responsibility for the entire construction process, subcontracting both the various construction trades as well as overseeing the entire scope of design team services, from estimating, assessments and preconstruction to architecture, schematics, engineering, subcontracting, construction and post-construction.

In this singularly responsible capacity, the contractor assumes all accountability for design outcomes, cost control and staying on schedule. Because construction firms that offer this approach are fully integrated, design/build provides the building owner with one person to answer any questions or concerns. It eliminates typical problems that arise between architects and general contractors, ultimately ensuring that everyone is on the same page. This approach can be effective for banking and other institutions that desire to have project construction completed in the most expeditious manner but just as importantly, need to know the final cost and schedule for project delivery prior to completing design documents.

Moreover, the design/build method reduces both the design and construction durations. When this preconstruction service is employed, communication channels between the construction team, designer and owner are established early in the project to allow for real-time budgeting of design elements. This collaborative effort might include document review and bid packaging, construction scheduling and cash flow projections. It also encompasses coordination with furniture, telecommunications, data and security vendors.

Permitting is another area where the design/build approach is beneficial. The permitting process can be an arduous task with numerous government authorities having jurisdictional review and approval of a construction project. The design/build team approach includes development of a list of agencies required to review and approve the project and its associated documents. This list is distributed to the design/build team and a responsibility for action is assigned to the appropriate team member.

Client-Focused One-Stop Shop

In terms of budget management, the design/build approach helps keep projects within a realistic budget, all the while communicating cost variables and other financial implications to the owner.  As specific design and construction details develop, the true value of working with a firm that provides both design and construction services again comes into play since potential issues can be uncovered prior to the start of the project.

Design/build projects typically are completed in a shorter time for a number of reasons – bid time is reduced; project scheduling can commence prior to the design being finalized; possible construction problems are discovered early in the process; and communication is fluid between all members of the team, including the building owner. Throughout this approach, the focus remains on the client, ensuring solid and constantly evaluated quality control.

Design/build is the proverbial “one-stop shop” for architecture, engineering, construction and post-construction, implementing a single point of responsibility for cost assessment, scheduling and quality control. It is a collaborative relationship between building owner and construction firm that can lend itself to a wide range of project types. It is a flexible program that, by combining the design and construction experience as one unit, building owners can rest more easily, knowing that their team is on the case.

Ryan Klebes is preconstruction director and project executive for Acella Construction Corp.