ALL YOU NEED IS AN IDEA.

We'll take care of the rest.

WHAT IS DESIGN-BUILD?

Design-Build is a method of construction that keeps all of the key players under one roof, on a single contract, and on the same team. As your design-build firm, we will be your one-stop shop for all project needs -- from the very inception of design to the final closeout.

With our design-build approach, we have a proven track record of delivering projects on-time and under budget. As your single point of contact for your project, all you need is an idea. We'll take care of the rest.

How Does Design-Build Differ From Traditional Construction?

One of the best ways to understand the Design-Build process is to compare it to more traditional construction approaches that many are more familiar with. Let's take a look at the project team structure for both of these construction methodologies.

TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION

In the Traditional Construction approach (also called Design-Bid-Build or DBB for short), the Owner establishes two separate contracts: the first with the Designer as the project is designed, and a second with the General Contractor as the project enters the construction phase. This puts the Owner in an unfortunate position -- as a middle-man between the Designer and the General Contractor. This places a lion's share of the project burden on the Owner -- which can be a heavy load even for construction-savvy Owners. This can result in the Owner having to settle disputes between the two contracted parties, and managing two separate contracts. It can feel like being the rope in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war.

DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION

The Design-Build approach solves these issues and more. Using this method, the Owner enters into only one contract -- with the Design-Builder. The Design-Builder then contracts as needed with Consultants and Subcontractors to execute the design and construction phases of the project, respectively. In this approach, the Designer and Builder are on the same team, working together to find creative solutions to obstacles as they arise.

What are the benefits of the Design-Build approach?

SHORTER PROJECT DURATIONS

With all parties on one team, many project processes can run concurrently in the Design-Build process, which can save a significant amount of time. Using a traditional, design-bid-build approach, very few (if any) processes can run simultaneously, which leads to longer project durations.

Additionally, in the Design-Build process, with ongoing cost estimating and value engineering, the likelihood of needing a total redesign is far lower than with the traditional process.

LOWER PROJECT COSTS

With all parties on one team, value engineering takes place at every stage of the project, ensuring a lower overall project cost for the Owner.

Including the Builder in design conversations is critical with value engineering. Not only does this eliminate time-consuming clarification questions during construction, but the Builder will contribute their current industry knowledge to the design, taking into consideration things like industry trends, material pricing, and lead times to ensure a great design at a great price.

ONE CONTRACT, ONE TEAM

By executing this project under one contract, you're ensuring that everyone is on the same team. This is truly invaluable when it comes to value-engineering, and designing a facility that truly meets your needs, vision, budget, and timeline.

Having everyone on the same team ensures better project agility, and ensures all team members are working together to find solutions, not excuses.

EARLY AND TRANSPARENT PRICING

Using the Design-Build approach, we will be able to provide you with pricing earlier than you'd receive using the traditional process. Using a traditional process, you only receive the bids after Construction Documents are complete. At the mercy of the bid, you may be looking at a potential rebid if bids come in over-budget, or even a total redesign.

Price transparency is also an important part of this process. Using the Design-Build process, you will be able to see a full breakdown of our Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), and we will agree upon our markups at the beginning of the project. The cost-plus approach that Design-Build offers ensures you competitive and transparent pricing -- absolutely crucial on such an undertaking.

OUR DESIGN-BUILD APPROACH

1. Team Selection

The Design-Build Process begins with the selection of your Design-Build firm (hopefully, us!). We recommend taking a qualifications-based approach -- in other words, selecting the firm with the best expertise, experience, and team. We would not recommend basing your decision solely on the lowest bidder. Using a Design-Build approach means that we will be performing live value-engineering alongside you as the project develops, saving you money and performing real-time estimates throughout the entire process. Choosing the most qualified firm means that you're choosing a firm who knows how to do that process well, and will likely save you more money in the long run.

2. Project Planning

In this phase, you -- along with the entire Design-Build team -- will begin gathering the critical information necessary to begin the design phase. We will discuss things like timeline, budget, and the needs that you have for this facility. In this phase, the creative juices get flowing -- as Architects, Engineers, and Builders alike work alongside you to value-engineer creative solutions to the specific challenges that your project might present, to ensure that your project is delivered according to your vision, budget, and timeline.

3. Design Phase

After we've asked the important questions and better understand your vision, we can begin the Design Phase. Unlike with some Traditional Construction approaches, this design is not created in a vacuum. As with every phase of a Design-Build project, there is heavy collaboration within the Design Phase. With everyone working together under the same contract, we're planning ahead -- thinking about how the building will be built while we're designing it.

4. Establishing a GMP

After receiving preliminary designs, individual scopes of work are put out to bid. A common misunderstanding regarding Design-Build is that it is not a competitive process -- this is not the case. For each scope of work, we receive at least 3-5 competitive bids -- to ensure you're getting a fair, competitive price -- from which we we will present you with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) -- a not-to-exceed amount for the construction of the project.

By using a Guaranteed Maximum Price instead of a hard bid, we continue to search for savings throughout the duration of the project, passing those savings along to you as we find them.

5. Construction Phase

This is where the rubber meets the road. Architects and Engineers stay in the loop as the construction begins -- meeting regularly with the Builders, assisting with permitting and helping find solutions to obstacles as they arise. The Construction Phase can run concurrently to the end of the design process, since many early construction operations (like earthwork and utilities) are finalized in the preliminary stages of design.

6. Project Completion

After construction is complete, we'll do final walkthroughs with you, and provide your team vital documentation and training on every aspect of your new facility. By using a design-build approach, you've likely arrived at this point on-time and under budget. Enjoy your new facility!

Is Design-Build Right for my Project?

In our opinion, there are very few projects that wouldn't benefit from a Design-Build approach. We believe that -- on the whole -- the collaborative nature of the Design-Build process produces better projects for less money in less time. Of course, any construction project is a major endeavor, and you should carefully consider all your options. We would be happy to explore those options further with you.

LET'S TALK

We would love to discuss your project with you. We understand that a construction project is a major undertaking and we would love to help you take the first step of bringing your vision to fruition.

A Missouri-Certified WBE and WOSB