designbidbuild

Design-bid-build is a traditional project delivery approach used in construction where the owner contracts separately with a design professional and a contractor. In this method, the design process is completed before the construction phase begins, and the contractor is not involved in the design decisions. The project typically progresses from design to bid to construction, with the contractor bidding the project based on the completed design documents.

The typical sequence starts with the owner hiring an architect or engineer to develop detailed design documents. Once design is sufficiently advanced or complete, the project is publicly or privately bid, and prospective contractors submit price proposals. After the contract is awarded to a construction firm, construction begins, guided by the design documents and any approved changes through the project’s lifecycle. The owner, designer, and contractor may interact through general conditions, requests for information, and change orders to address clarifications and unforeseen conditions.

Advantages of design-bid-build include a clear separation of responsibilities, competitive bidding which can yield favorable prices for construction, and explicit design control for the owner. Disadvantages include a longer overall timeline due to the sequential process, potential gaps between design and constructability, and a higher likelihood of change orders if constructability issues arise during construction. The method can also foster adversarial relationships among participants if communication is weak, and it may result in higher total costs compared with more integrated delivery methods.

Design-bid-build is commonly used in public sector projects and environments where defined scope and established procurement practices favor a linear, auditable process. It is often contrasted with design-build and construction management approaches, which integrate design and construction activities to varying degrees.