For clients entering the market, navigating a ground-up construction project can feel overwhelming. Between budget, design decisions and construction timelines, it’s hard to know where to begin and how to keep everything on track.
Understanding the fundamentals of the design-build delivery method can offer the clarity needed to execute your vision. To help you evaluate if design-build is the right approach for your project, we’ve answered five of the most common questions clients ask.
1. What is the value of design-build vs. traditional methods such as design-bid-build?
Design-bid-build is the traditional construction model: hire a designer, send the plans to bid, then select a contractor. This often creates silos between teams and introduces risk through unclear design details and performance needs.
By contrast, design-build unifies design and construction in one team. This integration:
Compared to traditional methods, design-build delivery is more equipped to bring value to projects with critical timelines and firm budgets.
2. What does the design-build process actually look like from start to finish?
Beginning with early collaboration, the design-build partner helps navigate these phases:
Due Diligence
Design-build streamlines early project planning by aligning your vision with cost and schedule expectations from the start. With a single team evaluating site conditions, zoning and code requirements, you can make confident decisions before committing significant resources.
Design
In design-build, the design phase is collaborative and budget-conscious. Architects, engineers and builders work together to develop plans that meet performance goals and constructability to reduce unwanted surprises in the construction phase.
Construction
With design and construction teams integrated from day one, the transition to construction is seamless. This integration reduces changes during the course of construction, compresses timelines and fosters problem-solving throughout the build, helping projects stay on track.
Completion & Occupancy
Design-build is key to ensuring smoother project closeout. After construction is complete and through building turnover, the design-build partner handles final inspections, assists with move-in coordination and manages owner warranty. This continuity helps ensure the space operates as intended and gives owners a clear path to resolve any lingering issues or concerns.
3. When should I engage a design-build partner?
The earlier a design-build team is involved, the more value they can provide. During site selection or early planning stages, the team can assess project opportunities and implications to help you avoid costly surprises.
Early engagement also allows for more meaningful collaboration during design development to set the tone for a smoother construction process.
4. How disruptive will construction be to my business operations?
In design-build delivery, clients are able to maintain operational continuity from start to finish. Design-build’s single-source solution model minimizes disruptions by streamlining project communications and maintaining a single point of accountability.
With the same team managing the project from preconstruction through turnover, you’re free to focus on your business.
5. What are common pitfalls for emerging clients and how can I avoid them?
Common challenges include:
Design-build minimizes these risks by uniting all disciplines from the start. With a single point of contact, clients experience fewer handoffs, faster resolutions and greater visibility into project progress.
Bonus Question: How do I choose the right design-build partner for my project?
Selecting a design-build partner is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s important to seek out an experienced general contractor that is detail-oriented and able to support your business needs.
Considering these key factors when engaging a design-build partner can lighten your load and position your project for success:
How ARCO Delivers More with Design-Build
ARCO Construction’s approach to design-build combines quality of design and construction. Our team seamlessly manages budgets and schedules to foster a partnership between team members at all levels, which accelerates delivery, streamlines communication and mitigates risk for the client.
Premier Teams
ARCO’s internal collaborative culture unites design and field experts. Our Project Managers and Superintendents are well equipped to deliver the best client experience.
Streamlined Planning
Our team is dedicated to understanding your vision and optimizing your investment. Early collaboration with ARCO identifies both your project’s opportunities and implications, ensuring your project is set up for success.
Exceptional Execution
Engineers by trade, ARCO Project Managers are skilled in overcoming design challenges to deliver tailored solutions.
See It In Action
With 75% repeat customers, we’ve delivered design-build projects nationwide for more than 30 years — producing faster, better, and more cost-effective results. Click on each project to learn more.
The design-build difference made a positive impact in the construction of the Citrine Apartments in Lake St. Louis, MO alongside ARCO repeat client Mills Properties:
Mills Apartment Properties highly recommends ARCO Construction Company for the design and construction of your next multi-family development. I can attend to their integrity, deep understanding of our needs as a customer and strong work ethic. ARCO takes their role as a design-build partner very seriously and are passionate about their process of modeling of various design options with quick costs analysis which simplifies the architectural process and saves valuable time. Their conscientiousness and proactive approach focuses on getting full team involvement and we feel this helps everyone involved in the project.”
— Kirk Mills, Mills Properties
When every day counts and every dollar matters, clients need a partner who can navigate the construction process and execute your vision with certainty. Design-build isn’t just a collaborative effort, it’s a delivery method that integrates design, engineering and construction into one seamless process. This approach prioritizes schedule, cost certainty and a fully integrated construction experience.
Thinking About a Design-Build Project?
Contact us to learn how ARCO can deliver faster, more cost-effective results tailored to your goals. Let’s connect.
