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Fact Sheets and Design-Build Resources

What is Design-Build?

Design-Build is a method of project delivery in which one entity – the design-build team – works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. One entity, one contract and one unified flow of work from initial concept through completion re-integrates the roles of designer and constructor. Over the past 15 years, use of design-build has greatly accelerated in the United States, making this delivery method one of the most significant trends in design and construction today.

Design-build is an alternative to the traditional design-bid-build project delivery method. Under the latter approach, design and construction services are split into separate entities, separate contracts and separate work, often leading to disputes between designer and constructor and costly delays in project delivery. Across the country and around the world, owners are turning to design-build instead because it successfully delivers both horizontal and vertical construction projects with superior results.