|
Return to: Residential Rebuild | Commercial Rebuild
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS DESIGN/BUILD?
Once upon a time, Architects were builders as well. They designed their buildings and then coordinated the construction at the building site, just like today’s General Contractors do. This was how buildings were built from ancient Egyptian times up until the World War II era, when Architects retreated to their offices and relinquished their control of the building process. More recently, the trend has begun to reverse itself and “design/build” is re-emerging as a legitimate and often preferable approach.
WHO IS A DESIGN/BUILDER?
These days, design/builders are either Architects who enjoy the construction process, or General Contractor’s that have expanded their role to include the design process, usually by bringing designers or architects into their construction companies. In Nexum’s case, Stew Mayer, our company’s president, is both a registered Architect and a licensed general contractor, and has been both designing and building ever since graduating from college over 25 years ago.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DESIGN/BUILD?
The most important advantage is the continuity that design/build brings to the construction process. In the more typical process (“bid-build”), design and construction are separate processes involving different companies and individuals, so that much of the background on the project and the Owner’s intentions, priorities, and desires regarding the finished product are often lost in this transition. Our company believes that in design/build the strong commitment to preserving design intent, that originates with the close collaboration between designer and client, is better preserved in the finished product than by the conventional bid-build process.
One disadvantage to design/build is that the competitive bid process may not always be an option. Your design/builder may not be willing to have his work put “out to bid”, for several reasons; plans and specifications prepared specifically for the bidding process generally have more elaborate detailing and specifications. Also, your design/builder has invested substantial time and effort in creating plans for the project, usually for a reduced fee compared to a design-only firm, as that firm anticipates also undertaking the project’s construction, and for that reason might require an up-front commitment to involvement in the construction phase.
IS DESIGN/BUILD MORE EXPENSIVE?
There are typically cost efficiencies in design/build that are lost in the conventional bid-build process. The design/builder is constantly considering construction issues and solving construction problems as plans are developed, before construction begins. This results in a more efficient use of materials and manpower, which typically reduces cost without compromising the quality of the finished product. In Nexum’s case, we have found that our construction costs are competitive with the industry, not necessarily cheaper, but our finished product tends to be of superior design and of higher quality.
In larger and more complex projects, design/build is definitely less expensive than paying a separate Architectural or design firm to prepare plans, as all their profit must be realized in the preparation of those plans. In terms of the cost of the construction, the design/builder knows he will also be accountable for meeting the construction budget. This priority is not the same when the designer is separate from the construction process.
HOW DOES DESIGN/BUILD WORK?
The process is typically composed of three phases;
- Design program and preliminary budget – In Nexum’s case, this first phase entails a thorough understanding of the Owner’s interests, needs, and goals. We also assess the existing conditions of the Owner’s home or building in terms of (benefits, attributes?) and challenges. The end product of this phase is a preliminary scope of work and a concept budget, to make certain we are meeting both the client’s needs and financial expectations for the project.
- Design documents/contract price – This second phase involves finalizing the scope of work to be undertaken, confirming product selections and specifications, and concludes with a conventional fixed-price contract for construction services. There generally is a fee associated with these design phases that may be credited back to the Owner during the construction phase.
- Construction phase – This phase is no different than were the Owner working with a general contractor, other than your design/builder’s much higher level of understanding of the goals of your project and the Owner’s higher level of trust and familiarity with the “builder”, based on an ongoing relationship begun in the earlier design phase.
DOES THE DESIGN/BUILD PROCESS TAKE LONGER THAN IF I JUST HIRED A CONTRACTOR?
The answer to this question varies based upon the complexity of the project. The time period for a small project may be slightly longer, as there is an emphasis on design aspects that may not be considered when hiring a “bid-build” contractor. For larger projects, the design/builder’s time frame is usually shorter given the continuity between the design and build phases of the project.
I HAVE JUST A SMALL PROJECT IN MIND. WOULD A DESIGN/BUILDER BE INTERESTED?
Any size project is entitled to design considerations, not only in terms of esthetics, but also from the standpoint of best meeting the lifestyle or business needs of the Owner. Nexum’s Design/Re-Build division is staffed to handle both large and small projects.
Return to: Residential Rebuild | Commercial Rebuild
|
