5 Phases Of The Design and Build Process

November 5, 2020

What are the phases of the design and build process?

  1. Selecting a Design and Build Contractor  
  2. Pre-Construction Assessments
  3. Architectural Design
  4. Construction
  5. Post-Construction

When you hire a design and build contractor in the Philippines, you can say that you’re taking the hassle-free route in building your project. You get to sit at the same table with all key teams such as architects, engineers, estimators, and builders to create efficient plans. It’s the simplest approach to construction where a team collaborates together from start to finish. If you’re wondering about the phases of the design and build process, read on! 

What is Design And Build?

Design and build is a method for delivering a project wherein all construction services are contracted by a single entity. From the pre-construction all the way down to post-construction — the design and build contractor holds accountability for every aspect of your project. Hiring a design and build contractor paves the way for streamlined processes and therefore, an overall reduction in costs.   

Selecting a Design and Build Contractor

Residential building blueprint drawingsThe design and build phases start with the owner selecting a design and build contractor. 

In the traditional project delivery method, you would need to hire multiple contractors to hire other subcontractors. But when you hire design and build contractors, they will manage all contracts with subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, landscapers, roofing and flooring specialists, and material suppliers.

During this phase, the owner should seek a design and build contractor that would best understand the project goals, needs, and budget. Though the budget is an important factor to consider, it should not be the only factor that impacts the final decision. 

While it may be tempting to choose one who offers the lowest price, the wise move would be to hire a qualified design and build contractor equipped with credentials, experience, and expertise. Remember that this decision will dictate whether your project succeeds or not.  

Pre-Construction Assessments

The pre-construction phase is crucial and it requires great attention to detail. Here, the design and build contractor will learn about the owner’s goals, challenges, and budget.

While the contractor is learning about the overall vision for the project, the architects, engineers, and other subcontractors will conduct their assessments. They will review current electrical and mechanical systems, architectural finishes, existing floor plans, and even safety systems to determine if the site is ready for construction. 

If you pursue a renovation project, your design and build contractor will assess key parameters — building codes, compliance requirements, topography, the site’s weather conditions, reusable on-site natural resources, and more.

Once all the key pieces of information are gathered, the team will discuss with you the right design and construction program to achieve your project goals within the budget and target date. 

Simply put, this phase is where the overall project scope and efficient solutions to reach project goals take shape. 

Architectural Design

Building designYou might think that architectural design is all about the appearance of a structure. But it is a phase wherein strategy, technology, and aesthetics come together to drive the project’s success.     

Here, the design and build team will collaborate to create the best possible design. They will think of a plan to keep costs low and drive productivity, while also achieving functional requirements and style preferences. 

As an owner, you will be provided with initial building drawings, pricing estimates, and schedules for the project. In this phase, all the expectations for the project will be laid down. 

Construction

In this type of project delivery method, many phases overlap to maximize productivity. For example, the team may have already begun with the initial construction during the design phase, or maybe an initial design approach has been conducted during the pre-construction planning.

 

Following the architectural design, you might be surprised to find out that the construction phase itself is simplified. Everyone is moving toward the same goals and all issues are resolved quickly — all thanks to the ease of communication and a clearly defined scope from a single point of contract. As an owner, this will ultimately save you time. 

Post-Construction

Building with loft windowsOnce the project is completed, the design and build contractor will offer a post-construction handoff. Remember that a good design and build contractor will ensure that everything runs smoothly and provide you with all the knowledge for your newly built project. You may be given core documentation of procedures, building layouts, in-depth training on the proper use of facilities, site walkthroughs, and future expansion plans. 

Key Takeaway

We’ve discussed phases of the design and build process. To sum it all up, this project delivery method offers plenty of advantages for those who wish to achieve a construction project. Unlike the traditional point of contract, design and build contractors pave the way for collaborative teams, faster project delivery, cost savings, and many more.

At Cross-Link, we have exceeded the expectations of our design and build clients by taking accountability for their projects from start to finish. If you want to inquire about how you can reap the benefits of having a design and build contractor for your next project, click here!