architectural design DELIVERY METHODS
DESIGN, BID, BUILD:
This is also known as the traditional method of design and construction delivery. The design is nearly completed before bringing in a general contractor to put a dollar figure on the project.
Pros:
The project is fully brought to light and details are worked out before moving on to construction. The construction process is straight forward with few unresolved items to work out in the field.
Cons:
Construction costs fluctuate over time and the current economic climate causes the architect to make design decisions that may or may not be on budget. If the bid cost is too high, more design fees are incurred adjusting the project scope to bring the budget down.
Design-Build:
This typically means that the project owner hires one single company to design and build the project. It can also mean that the design is in flux and still coming together as construction starts. Either way, the idea is to streamline the process and get the building built quicker. Asher Architects does not offer to construct projects but we do have a deep knowledge of construction making us a good partner for a construction firm. We have experience coordinating directly with contractors to save design time where possible.
Pros:
The design process and construction processes overlap, resulting in a finished product in less time than the traditional delivery method.
Cons:
Some details are not fully developed during the design stage resulting in solutions on-the-fly during construction. This can likely result in unexpected costs for the contractor and changes to the construction cost for the owner.
Hybrid:
This is our most common and preferred method of design delivery. The owner, architect, and contractor are all selected early on in the process. Meetings are held while the overall design is still conceptual and construction methods and dollar figures are discussed to guide the design within the client's budget.
Pros:
The final design is within budget. The owner, architect, and contractor are all on the same page from the start avoiding finger pointing near the end of a project.
Cons:
The owner isn’t able take the design to multiple contractors for cost comparison because the contractor is selected before the design comes together.