The Impact of the Growing Design/build Method on Paradigm

The Design/Build process is impacting more and more construction projects in residential, commercial, and municipal/Public works projects. It changes the way developers, architects, engineers and sub-contractors like us interact. It may explain why we may have an increasing number of last minute changes to some projects. The good news is: there may be things we can do

Therefore, we at Paradigm need to:

• Understand what it is
• Be able to ask our clients the right questions to properly submit our bids
• Understand the Opportunities it provides us
• The potential liabilities it produces for us

Understanding What it is

• In the recent past, someone who wanted something build went to an architect who drew up plans. The Future owner then sent the plans out to Bid, and the contractors were selected. The General Contractor then coordinated the Sub contractors' work and build the building
• In the Design/Build process, A single firm takes the whole project and is a single point of contract for the customer.
• Architect-Led Design/Build is when the Architecture firm takes on the project.
• General Contractor-Led Design/Build is when the General Contractor Firm takes on the Project.
• It is characterized by collaboration between all the players, including the sub-contractors like us
• It is often, faster, cheaper, and more satisfying to the customer
• What is emerging are formal and informal partnerships between Architecture and Construction firms to meet this need.

So why is this important to Paradigm?

Ask the Right Questions

First, this changes what we ask the potential client during the pre-qualification questions:

• How often do use a design/build process?
• If so, are the projects usually design-led or CG-Led?

If you are talking to a GC who usually does design-led projects, then it may be that you are talking to the wrong person - perhaps you should now be talking to the GC in presence of the Architect.

Opportunities

• In Design/build process, there may be periodic meetings in person, phone or on line where the GC, Architect and Sub-firms meet
• There is tremendous opportunity to provide more expertise, but listening to plan changes and knowing changes in the SWPPP that need to be made before the SWPPP is even built
• We can value-engineer our services for the project
• Be the stormwater specialist in the meetings to help reduce stoppages and BMP damage.
• Makes it easier to get in with the clients, and more likely to give us all their projects instead of part of them in the future.
• It can reduce the changes needed in SWPPP design.

Potential Liabilities

• It could take more time for consultants and client managers

Conclusion

• Design build is a growing trend
• It is especially being used by commercial and municipal projects
• Large Residential Builders have been using in house architects, but still used the old method - they will begin to collaborate more across divisions