D&B Construction Group
As developers review new construction projects, a recurring decision must be made in the early stages of development: Should the project be design-bid-build or design-build? These are the two primary delivery methods utilized in the industry, both of which have benefits and weaknesses. We’ve taken the time to review what differentiates the two so you can understand them better.
This process is selected most commonly when pricing is the major driving force behind the decision, as the low bid usually wins. The delivery method starts by taking a project to a design team (which is comprised of consultants, architects and engineers) to create a set of documents that can be used to solicit bids from construction companies. Once design documents are completed the project is put out to bid in a process that is usually managed by the Architect or an owner representative. The objective of the bid process is to solicit the lowest price from a construction company for the specified work. Once the lowest bidder is identified, the owner will then enter into a contract to build what was designed. You can learn more about this process here on our website.
The Design-Build process utilizes one construction company to oversee all steps of the project from design to completion. This delivery method creates a turn-key solution for developers, as it can be customized to meet the needs of the developer. Developers can tailor what their Design-Builder will manager in the process from property acquisition and municipal approvals, to all design documents, submittals and construction. This framework provides a lot more freedom to developers who may be working on several projects at once. You can learn more about this process here on our website.
So which is the best delivery method?
Both Design-Build and Design-Bid come with their fair share of pros and cons. Next, we’ll review those pluses and minuses to see if there’s a clear winner.
Benefits of Design-Bid:
–Cost: Design-Bid is most often used when your project has a fixed budget. This process elicits the most competitive proposals from competent builders.
–Control: In this delivery method owners have much clearer control over pricing, design, and approvals.
–Transparent: Design-Bid captures a client’s upfront wants and needs.
If you ask D&B Construction’s Project Executive, Jim Aylmer, he’ll tell you that he prefers Design-Bid-Build for larger projects because it “creates an accurate pricing exercise as it relates to a client’s budget, it allows time for value engineering and more cost-effective budgeting, and the end product is mapped out.” Whenever he has been involved with Design-Build projects they have been for smaller-scale projects, as these designs tend to be more simplified and there is more involvement from the owner throughout the build process.
Negatives of Design-Bid:
–Disputes and Delays: When you do a competitive bid process you will only get pricing on exactly what is on your drawings. If your design team misses anything on the construction documents that were used for the bid, you will often end up with finger-pointing in the field and costly change orders.
–Time: It can take a long time to organize a design team, create documents, put the project out to bid, go through rebidding and post-bid value-engineering, identify a contractor, and enter into agreements all before you get a shovel in the ground.
–Disjointed: Due to the number of disconnected parties in a Design-Bid construction project, you may encounter communication issues as the owner, designers and builder, along with their trades, all act independently, worried about covering their own portions of the project instead of the entirety.
Drawbacks of Design-Build:
–Non-competitive: The non-competitive nature of this process doesn’t result in a lowest cost proposal from multiple bids.
–Trust: Due to the amount of control a developer is giving up to the Design-Builder, you need to have a lot of trust in the team you’ve selected.
Benefits of Design-Build:
–Efficiency: Consolidating the entire process in one entity allows the most coordination throughout the entire construction process from design to completion. The simplification of design-build allows developers to focus on multiple projects at once.
–Customization: This delivery method is great for projects that are unique in finishes and structures. Linking the construction and design teams from the beginning ensure constructability with real-time cost adjustments. This allows owners to effectively manage budgets before breaking ground.
–Flexibility: Both to the budget and final end product
–Value-Engineering: Throughout the process, developers can monitor and adjust various components of the design for substantial equivalents that can save time and money during construction.
–Enhanced Communication: Having one central decision entity (the design-builder) allows for free flow of information from the start of a project. All trades, designers, and owners are communicating through the contractor, which ensures unified messaging and vision through one cohesive team.
Tim Cox, President and CEO of Meister-Cox Architects, emphasizes how he “really likes how it is a team effort when doing design-build projects,” explaining that in these types of projects he works with D&B, the client, and at some point will bring in the subcontractors if they are going to do the design and the drawings for the mechanicals, electrical, and plumbing systems. “It’s a give and take and just part of the value-engineering process really, he explains.”
–Timing: Utilizing a design-build approach provides a project that is well scheduled and designed before the start of the construction. Having an early jump on a project’s components allows the builder to coordinate the trades further in advance. This allows the various stages of active construction to flow seamlessly.
Can We Declare An Ultimate Winner?!
In short, both construction delivery methods have their significance. As it is with any construction project, what you end up going with ultimately depends on your final usage. Timing and cost are generally the prevailing guidelines for making this decision. Ultimately, when choosing between Design-Build or Design-Bid a careful analysis of your needs and the points mentioned above should be considered in order to determine the best option for your project.
Jim, our Project Executive, typically would recommend Design-Bid projects for “any and all out of the ground projects.” The reason being? “The client and design team already have the plan in place. We as the construction team then need to execute based off of these design documents,” he explains. Kennett Pointe, Butler Square Apartments, Veterinary Emergency Group, Griswold Home Care, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Souderton ambulatory building are recent examples of Design-Bid jobs that he has played a vital role in.
“Typically, major developers will not likely be performing a project based off of Design-Build. If I had to choose, I would 99% steer a client in the direction of Design-Bid-Build,” he concludes.
Food For Thought:
-If you had to choose one over the other, which would you lean towards and why?
-Are there any pros / cons you would add to the list for either construction method?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the above questions! Feel free to provide your feedback in the comment section below.
If you’d like to discuss what is right for your next project, we’d be glad to talk it through with you in more detail. Reach out to us today to learn more.
“Tenant fit out” is a common phrase you will hear used throughout the industry. It refers to the process of making an interior space ready for occupation. Usually, it is common practice in commercial construction to keep the interior space empty so occupants can create the look and feel of their business while determining the level of refurbishment they need. While an office renovation refers to the work needing done to improve an interior design (think aesthetic revamps such as purchasing new furniture or fresh paint), a fit out involves creating a usable area within an empty space.
The Different Types of Commercial Fit-Outs
A Category A fit out is the standard for what you will find in commercial space ready for renting, with utilities such as plumbing fixtures and electrical wiring already in place. Typically, features like electrical outlets, HVAC systems, fire protection systems, raised access floors and toilets would need to be installed yet.
On the other hand, a Category B fit out requires installing features that are lacking in a Category A. In sum, this fit out focuses on making the aesthetic design specific to the business. It typically involves installing lighting, flooring, painting, partitioning, window treatments, furniture, and branding to make the office yours.
A core and shell fit out refers to a space that already has the framework of the building in place and is ready to be custom fit to its specifications. These fit outs typically include the following tasks:
-Floor installation
-Partition walls
-Ceilings
-Power and Lighting
-Painting
-Furnishings and fixtures (such as casework and millwork)
-Changes or updates that may be needed for structural elements of the space, such as the placement of windows and doors
-Updates that may be needed to HVAC (such as extending into other spaces with ductwork and controls), Electric, Sprinkler systems, etc.
-Cabling and wiring for internet connectivity and communication arrangements (fire alarms and other protection systems)
What to Consider When Contemplating an Office Fit-Out for Your Business:
Fitting out an office space for your organization is a big undertaking that – when done correctly – can have a lasting impact for many years to come. It all starts in the pre-construction phase, where the proper planning and design of your space will ensure a smooth project throughout the duration of construction. Here are a few things to consider:
-An office fit out is an organization’s opportunity to take a blank canvas and make it their own. Consider how you can organize your space to increase workflow and enhance your staff’s performance. Do this by evaluating how the workspace will be used and all that needs to be in it for your team to efficiently complete their jobs.
-Plan for the future. If you ask yourself questions like “How will my business / industry grow and change over the next few years?” and “Will the proposed space be able to accommodate expansion in the future?” you can avoid needing to make renovations sooner than you’d like. As a result, your organization will save money by avoiding having to interrupt business to make changes to your office space.
-Make flexibility top of mind. Consider how technology advances and new trends may impact your office’s workflow. Does your space have the flexibility to adapt to such rapid change?
The Right General Contractor Makes all the Difference:
Most importantly, make sure the people you surround yourself with during this process are reliable, organized, and great communicators. A good General Contractor will help you navigate all of the points listed above.
D&B Construction Superintendent, Joseph, is no stranger to Tenant Improvements, regularly completing fit-outs for our clients like Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia. He shares some tips on what to look for in the right GC for the job:
-Your GC should provide a dedicated project team to oversee your fit out. In order to make sure the job runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible, your GC should lead the project team in meticulously going over your project’s logistics and specifications in pre-construction. This may include working with your property management team, building architects and engineers, and other tenants in your building.
-Look for a conscientious GC who is actively working out and updating schedule details to limit any type of disruption or inconvenience to your current operations. A constant open line of communication and attention to detail ensures your project is completed on time.
-Weekly client meetings organized by the contractor of your fit out are a good way to ensure you are always fully aware of your project’s progress. Regular touch bases also enable the team to target any changes that you may want to make during the course of construction.
-A good GC will have a well-established relationship and open line of communication with their subcontractors. At D&B, our team works hand in hand with our trade partners to achieve perfection on your project. Our high standard of cleanliness, safety, and quality of work shows through the duration of the project.
“The bottom line comes down to this,” explains Joe: “When the project is completed the client should feel like we exceeded their expectations of the finished product. Starting with the pre-construction team and ending with the final cleaning of the project, we take extreme pride in the work we deliver, as well as the relationships formed with our clients. This makes all the difference.”
A transitional photo showing the before and after shots throughout one of our many medical office fit outs
for our client, Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists.