Design-Bid or Design-Build?

There is considerable debate about the advantages and disadvantages of these two project delivery systems. Let’s try and explore them further to try to decide what the preferable alternative is.

In a Design-Bid system, the owner hires an architect who identifies the requirements, consigns them to drawings, and calls for bids. If the bids are too high, the project is redesigned to bring the cost within budget. The project is handed over to the contractor who usually uses the lowest bidders. Low bidders work strictly by the book and add on many change orders more often than not. The architect and contractor usually then spar over change orders and debate about value-engineered considerations. The owner picks up the tab for any revisions. The building is completed eventually in the midst of acrimony and at a price.

In the Design-Build system, the owner and design-build contractor work as a team to establish budgets, goals and timelines. The contractor prepares designs and costs. If these are acceptable to the client, the design is considered approved and site preparation begins. This is followed by material ordering and selection of qualified sub-contractors. The building is completed quickly and efficiently. Lines of communication are simple and fast, and responsibilities are clearly defined. The project is cost-effective with no over-runs.

Platinum Builders Inc. of San Jose works on the Design-Build concept. For details log on to http://www.bayareacommercialbuilders.com/.

Integrated Project Delivery

The last century has seen little change in construction delivery methodology except for the introduction of Construction Management. Opinions on this relatively new process, and what it has since morphed into, is a subject of much conjecture. Many believe that the incentive structure, which is linked to the project cost, benefits the Construction Management Company but defeats the interests of the owner. Under the CM system of delivery there is no real motivation for reigning in project costs.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a newer construction delivery methodology which takes a collaborative approach to delivery of a construction project. Using various innovative principles, the IPD method encourages the emphasis of projects around the final value (the finished building) created for the owner. It stresses the importance of each participant to consider the process as a whole rather than the implications of their part of construction on the overall project. IPD gathers all participants together at an early stage and applies collaborative incentives to capitalize on value for the owner. While logistics of IPD are yet to be fully tested, the fundamental philosophy of IPD offers much promise.

Platinum Builders Inc. of San Jose is a proponent of the design-build project delivery system with a firm appreciation of its complexities and pitfalls. This building company offers a full range of construction services which includes drawing up construction contracts that protect both the client and contractor. For more details of its comprehensive range of services visit http://www.platinumbuilderssanjose.com/.

It’s a Green World we live in!

The U.S. Green Building Council estimates that from 2009 to 2013, construction of green buildings will generate as much as $513 billion and create 7.9 million jobs for the domestic economy. This substantial increase in the past decade highlights the significant influence of sustainability on the Gross Domestic Product. It has also been shown that green buildings improve productivity and are healthier for occupants. A study revealed that time off for sickness was reduced by an average of 2.88 days among those who work in green buildings. Productivity has also grown exponentially by a whopping 16 percent. Additionally, the
daily operating costs of green buildings have been reduced by an incredible 13.6 percent. 77 percent of the construction industry believes that green buildings will increase industry revenue. Sustainable buildings have been proven to fetch a higher return on investment through higher demand, a market acceptance of higher rents and lower vacancy rates. Green sustainable buildings have made an indelible mark and are here to stay.

Platinum Builders of San Jose is a socially responsible construction management company which enthusiastically promotes the construction of green buildings. This design-build company aspires to promote the sustainable building philosophy with its clients in all construction projects in which it is involved. For an insight into its operation methodology please click on http://www.platinumbuildersinc.com/.

The Design-Build Advantage

Design-build is a construction industry project delivery system where design and construction services of a project are allotted to a single entity. This is also called a single point of responsibility contract which significantly benefits the project owner and the entity which accepts the responsibility. Some advantages of such a contract are:

Budget management – budgeting is better controlled and understood starting in the design stage and is better understood by the entire team. This helps to facilitate the formulation of a realistic project cost.

Better communication – It enables continuous and effective communication from inception between the design professional and the construction expert.

Quicker project completion – Design-build projects have been proven to be completed faster because much of the formalities are cut out and communication is almost immediate.

Combining design and construction under a single umbrella is a classic example of single-window execution in which the owner reaps the benefits.

Platinum Builders Inc. of San Jose, is a design-build company that believes Design-Build is the simplest and quickest way to quality construction. The company boasts over two decades of construction management. It is a firm proponent of the design-build concept to which it owes much of its success. For more details of the design-build advantage, log on to http://www.californiabuilders.us/.