Design-Bid-Build Construction Risks and How to Avoid Them

The design-bid-build method, often used in commercial construction, comes with certain risks like higher costs, delays, quality concerns, and coordination problems. Yet, experienced construction managers can reduce these risks with careful planning, precise contracts, protective measures for buyers, and smart technology use. By being aware of these challenges and tackling them early, design-bid-build projects can still succeed and stay within budget. Remember that taking steps to control bids, optimize schedules, improve quality control, and coordinate complex plans is key to avoiding common design-bid-build risks.

Incomplete plans and conservative bidding can increase costs in design-bid-build construction; experienced oversight of the bidding process controls bids and budgets. 

Design intricacies and the sequential steps inherent in design-bid-build cause delays; obtaining permits during design and creating strategic bid packages can help minimize delays. 

Limited contractor involvement during design affects quality; demanding clearer design details, encouraging more contractor input in the design phase, and having architects check work ensures adherence to plans. 

Uncoordinated drawings from independent engineering and architectural consultants create conflicts; optimizing drawing flow across disciplines and using digital tools to coordinate in real time reduces costly rework. 

Engaging contractors early in the design phase allows them to provide input on preferred methods and materials and improves coordination; this lowers assumptions and risks during construction. 

Clipper Construction manages common risks surrounding costs, schedules, quality in design-bid-build construction through extensive project management, careful builder selection, and strategic procurement processes.

Check out: Design Bid-Build