The Design Build process is swiftly becoming one of the most utilized techniques in delivering a construction project. In the Design Build approach the Owner contracts with one firm to provide both the design and construction services. Most Design-Build Contractors hire a Design Firm to produce the blueprints for a project. G. Batista & Associates, on the other hand, has both the design and construction facets in-house and does not subcontract these services out. A Design Build firm such as this is referred to as an Integrated Design Build Firm and is the highest form of Design-Build since is does away with that extra legal and contractual layer which can become a problem during the construction process. Click HERE for Wikipedia definition of Design-Build.

 

This method of construction is sometimes referred to as a "Turn-Key" contract. G. Batista & Associates will take on from the smaller projects to larger ones.

 

The Design Build "turn key" approach replaces the traditional method of awarding separate contracts for design and for construction. On a Design Build project the Contractor, Architect and Engineer are allied and work together to serve the Owner. The Owner, Contractor and Architect/Engineer work as a Team to design and build a project that satisfies the needs of the Owner.

This method makes the steps between conception and completion fewer and more realistic as the Contractor has the advantage of knowing current costs, industry conditions, availability of skilled labor and design limitations.

 

Advantages:

1- The Owner has an experienced "one point of contact" leading the way.

2- The Owner receives early cost input from the Design-Builder (DB). Pricing information is provided on conceptual design ideas as they are developed.

3- A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) can be determined early in the process, typically right after the scope of the project has been established.

4- Time can be saved because construction can begin before the design is completed. For example, the designers can be working on the interior finishes while the site work and foundations are underway.

5- The need for Change Orders is minimized.

6- Architectural and engineering fees are kept to a minimum and are known from the beginning of the project.

7- Contractor fees are kept to a minimum and are known from the beginning of the project.

8- Legal fees are kept to a minimum by eliminating the adversarial roles.

9- Construction costs are minimized by allowing the Contractor to utilize the latest systems and methods that the Contractor knows are cost effective.

10- Misunderstandings are minimized with the Team approach.

11- The cooperative Team Spirit garners the best ideas from the Team Members.

12- The Contractor that is responsible for carrying out the work establishes realistic completion dates.

13- The Owner can take advantage of special services of the Design Build Team such as preliminary feasibility studies, value engineering and life cycle cost analysis.