Owners FAQ

HOW CAN OWNERS ENSURE QUALIFIED DESIGN-BUILD PROFESSIONALS ARE ON TEAMS?

As the use of design-build continues to grow, more Owners are looking for design-build certified professionals to deliver their projects. Many Owners award points or additional consideration in solicitations for teams that have DBIA certified professionals as it is a way to ensure an understanding of Design-Build Done Right® best practices.

HOW MANY PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED EACH YEAR USING DESIGN-BUILD?

Market trend data based on research conducted by FMI in 2021 shows design-build at 42% of all design and construction (based on dollar volume).

DO YOU HAVE PAST EXAMPLES OF DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS?

DBIA has a comprehensive project database that is regularly expanding with new project submissions, searchable by project type, size and location. In addition to a project photo and cost/schedule information, the database also provides details of added value and innovative solutions that resulted from a collaborative design-build approach.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT DESIGN-BUILD?

Design-build is where one entity, the design-builder, enters into a single contract with the owner to provide both design and construction services. Other project delivery systems commonly have separate contracts for design and construction. The single point of responsibility contract is the design-build distinction. As much as design-build is defined by a sole-source contract for design and construction services, design-build is also defined by the attitude of everyone involved in the project. In successful design-build projects, everyone makes the mental shift to think and act as a single entity.

WHY WOULD AN OWNER CHOOSE DESIGN-BUILD AS A PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD?

There are numerous reasons an Owner might select design-build. Among the most common are:

• Design-build delivers projects more quickly
• Cost efficiencies can be achieved since the contractor and designer are working together throughout the entire process
• Fewer changes, fewer claims and less litigation
• Enhanced innovation and problem-solving due to the early integration of the project team, including the Owner

IS THERE DATA TO SUPPORT THAT DESIGN-BUILD IS FASTER AND MORE COST EFFECTIVE?

Yes. A study conducted in 2018 by the Constructor Industry Institute (CII) and the Charles Pankow Foundation showed design-build to be an average of 3.8% less costly and 102% faster than traditional design/bid/build. 

ARE OWNERS SATISFIED USING DESIGN-BUILD OVER OTHER PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS?

Yes. In a survey conducted by McGraw Hill Construction comparing different project delivery systems, 80% of Owners reported being very satisfied or satisfied using design-build.

I’VE HEARD ABOUT UNSUCCESSFUL DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS. HOW CAN I OPTIMIZE SUCCESS?

As with any process, there are best practices that determine the chances for success. In design-build, there are best practices related to the procurement, contracting and execution of design-build that, if implemented, significantly enhance the chances of successes. DBIA has found that unsuccessful projects and/or teams have not been properly educated in Design-Build Done Right® best practices and principles. Owners and industry professionals should understand and be educated on design-build before pursuing their first project.

WE ARE A PUBLIC AGENCY. DO WE HAVE AUTHORITY TO USE DESIGN-BUILD?

Design-build is authorized at the Federal level and to varying degrees in each state and locality. Currently, there are only two states (Iowa and North Dakota) that do not allow design-build. However, DBIA continues to advocate for its use in those states. The remaining states and U.S. territories have varying levels of authority. See State Advocacy page for more details.

WHAT IS DBIA DESIGN-BUILD CERTIFICATION AND IS IT FOR OWNERS?

Design-build certification is the industry’s only measurable standard to ensure experience and knowledge of design-build principles and techniques. Of the nearly 7,000 credential holders, about a third represent Owners. Many Owners award points or additional consideration in solicitations for teams that have DBIA certified professionals as it is a way to ensure an understanding of Design-Build Done Right® best practices.

WILL DBIA PROVIDE EDUCATION SPECIFIC TO MY AGENCY/ORGANIZATION?

Yes, DBIA offers in-house company-based training based on your organizational culture, level of design-build experience (if any), internal design-build policies (if applicable) and training goals. Contact DBIA’s education department to discuss ways to craft a program specific to your needs.