Getting the construction and design team on the same page from the get-go

Having a collective vision is essential to project success

When it’s time to launch your commercial construction project, you might assume that everyone on the project team is on the same page. But that isn’t always the case. Sadly, project stakeholders with differing visions, goals, timelines and self-interests run the risk of derailing an otherwise smooth construction process. If you have separate entities involved, say, an architectural design firm and a separate construction company, you may find their competing interests lead to expensive issues down the road. Of course, we’re talking about dreaded change orders and delays.

It’s best to have everyone on the same page from the start of your project.

But how can you do that? Here’s an approach to consider long before you get started.

Construction and design on the same page? It’s possible. Here’s how.

Select the design-build model of construction.

You may not be familiar with the design-build construction model, an innovative approach that automatically puts all parties on the same team from project start through project completion. Rather than working with multiple separate entities for different parts of your project, such as project architecture and construction, everyone serves on the same team. That means no competing interests, no differing timelines and no miscommunications. Gone is any type of blame game, as you have a unified, cooperative workgroup moving in tandem toward your project vision. More, the design-builder will be your single go-to source for your commercial construction venture, streamlining the entire project process from start to finish.

By taking an integrated approach to design and construction through the design-build approach, the design and construction planning happen at the same time. That allows all experts to look at the project from various viewpoints and explore any alternatives before action is taken. As the client, this can have enormous benefits for you. Change orders, which are costly in the construction process, are essentially eliminated as post-design phase revisions are no longer necessary.

Also, with your project design professionals and construction contractors at the same table from the beginning, you can rest assured issues will be anticipated, challenges will be addressed head-on, and stakeholders will have a better understanding of all moving parts as coordinated members of a single team. The design-build construction model may very well be the silver bullet for ending cost and schedule overruns.

An integrated approach: perhaps the best option for construction outcomes

With the design-build process, you not only enjoy a streamlined process but a potentially expedited timeline as well. With unified interests in place, phases of your project can overlap as your design-build team collaborates to make your vision a reality.

Want to learn more about the benefits of the design-build approach to construction? Contact us.