The Design-Build project approach is a fast-growing method of project delivery in the construction industry. At Chad Fisher Construction, we pride ourselves on our constant desire to innovate and join the latest technology developments as they emerge.
In the case of Design-Build projects, there is one team that attends to all project details. This includes everything from planning, architectural design, material acquisition, construction, project management. Here are a few things to consider when preparing for your Design-Build project.
Put The Team Together
Design-Build uses a joint effort method involving a large team. This team will include designers, project managers, builders, architects, and engineers to set up a project for a client. It differs from the usual approach to building, which usually involves outsourcing all the work to separate contractors.
Teamwork in Design-Build thinking counters the traditional construction methods of a more silo-ed approach to work. Input as a team is essential early on in the project. It helps to widen the scope of knowledge and ideation for a project’s possibilities.
By adopting an approach to Design-Thinking, your team requires a mental shift towards Lean planning methods through collaborative thinking. The project becomes less about your individual project contributions and more about the overall project success.
Lean thinking can also be thought of in terms of timeliness. One aspect of team planning is that it may be easy to go off-topic. However, Design-Build team planning requires rapid, focused, thought-through decision-making.
General Contractor and Team Leader Needs To Take Charge
Unlike Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build projects bring in general contractors at the beginning of the project. The role of the general contractor is quite extensive. It will include everything from being the main contact person between all relevant companies and clients and the project planner in terms of time and budget commitments and project delivery accountability.
Determine The Scope of Needs
Early on into the project, there is an array of requirements to establish when preparing for a Design-Build project. These needs include:
- Awareness of any area-specific regulations, codes, requirements, and restrictions. Having a general contractor on board will help as they will be able to advise you best on how to make provisions for these needs and how to obtain permits.
- Budget Identification. There are ways to deliver a final project that meets your client’s desires and requirements, even with a limited budget. What will help, though, is to lay out all the budget specifics for the general contractor right from the start. This step will help them to meet your needs better while still achieving your objectives.
- Research Opportunities. There is an array of opportunities possible depending on your organization or your venture. For example, a non-profit organization may benefit from tax exemptions. Some projects may also qualify for things like energy rebates or LEED credits, depending on the design.
Get Creative With Innovative Thinking
Innovative thinking is both a requirement and a benefit of Design-Build projects. Nothing is ever finalized in a Design-Build approach. This means that team members can still contribute ideas and creativity right up until construction.
Although somewhat counterintuitive to the traditional building methods, it may feel difficult at first to spend so much time in the planning phase. It will feel slow and as if the project isn’t moving forward. But in reality, the early collaborative teamwork enhances efficiency. It gives the team enough time to order materials and prepare manufacturers and suppliers to provide quality services.
Chad Fisher Construction makes use of VDC technology in the beginning stages of a project. This helps to develop a virtual pre-construction of the project. Later on, we make use of BIM technology to construct data-driven simulations. This step lays out extra sections, scheduling of the project, financial estimations, and selected materials.
These are just a few ways CF Construction stays up to date with the various means of construction.
Communicate
As it happens, when working with many stakeholders on a project, there is bound to be some misunderstanding or questions raised. From the beginning, it is a good idea to establish a frequent communication network system. Any misunderstandings should be dealt with immediately. This will help to avoid potential ramifications later on, which can be both timely and costly.
Communication is also about asking questions. The team should have a full picture of what the end result should look like. To paint an accurate picture may mean asking questions about anything from who the people that will be using it are, the community who will make use of the constructed site, the area, insurance, etc.
Why Chad Fisher Construction?
Chad Fisher Construction is a family-owned business that has delivered Design-Build projects to the Pacific Northwest for many years. Get in touch with Chad Fisher Construction to discuss your next project. We would be happy to give you a little more insight to the Design-Build approach or answer any questions you may have.