A Resurgence for Design/Build? – Is The Economy And Our Government Helping It Happen?
One of the many benefits of the Design/Build approach to construction can be reduced project costs. Although it is not always easy to help residential remodeling prospects see or accept this benefit should they be new to the Design/Build approach and how it works, many customers who have already experienced true Design/Build can attest to actual cost savings. Now it would appear that local governments have also realized costs saving by experiencing design/build for government funded projects like road construction, bridge replacement and even construction or renovation of schools. Will the use and success of using Design/Build for public projects help get the word out about the benefits of Design/Build to residential remodeling prospects too?
Here is an example. In a March 22, 2012 article posted to The-Dispatch.com author David Bodenheimer reported that at a business roundtable meeting between N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis, the business community and government officials, the speaker was asked by Davidson County Purchasing Director Dwayne Childress to consider adding exceptions to the state's design-build project list that would allow county officials to construct under that model.
To back up his request, Childress cited the example of an Interstate 85 project over the Yadkin River that was awarded for $136 million, although initial estimates assuming the traditional design-bid model had the project ballooning toward $330 million. Secondary to the cost saving but equally important, Childress said, is the ability to deal with one contractor throughout the entire project.
"That's a big benefit," Childress said. "Sometimes you get the finger pointed (between the architect and builder). But when you put those two guys on the same side, it's going to clear up a whole lot of issues that we have."
Childress said without a doubt design-build projects would save the county money, in some cases upward of 20 percent. "You would eliminate a lot of up-front architectural fees and limit change orders," Childress said.
I think this recession has forced both the government and consumers to rethink how they approach construction and renovation projects. With money being tight and strict budget limits the norm; I believe true Design/Build is ready for resurgence. If this is true, those Design/Builders who can help educate prospects on the process and benefits of Design/Build during this resurgence can gain market share before their competition even realizes the opportunity is in front of them.
"Things may come to those who wait, but only those things that are left behind by those who hustle."
- Abraham Lincoln
