Design-Build
When considering project delivery alternatives, design-build is an excellent choice for many clients and has been shown to be an effective means of project delivery especially for complex projects. For additional information, please visit the Design-Build Institute of America at www.dbia.org.
Most design-build contracts are “Contractor-Led” projects primarily due to the A/E’s lack of bonding capacity. Under this arrangement, the owner has a single contract with the general contractor who typically has a number of subcontractor agreements to execute the design of the project. Having multiple agreements in place often increases the likelihood of internal disputes, having more terms and agreements to negotiate, and multiple teams to align.
Austin AECOM has improved the design-build process and uses the term “Design-Led Design-Build” to differentiate our approach. Under our design-build structure, owners negotiate one single contract and, since our architects, engineers, environmental specialists, and construction specialists are all in-house resources, owners deal with a single, unified team. Austin AECOM is one of only a handful of firms with credentials required to complete a complex project, i.e. architectural licenses, engineering licenses, construction licenses, bonding capacity, proper insurances, all in one firm.
Most of Austin AECOM’s design-build projects are executed in a 2-step process. Step 1 involves working hand-in-hand with our clients in the development of preliminary design criteria and development of a negotiated Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to complete the design and to construct the facility. Step 2 involves completion of design documents and construction. Below are a few recent projects executed in a design-build approach:
