Design-Build, the Best Choice for Rural Communities

Renovation and retrofit projects can be taxing, especially in rural communities where staffs are small, and resources are limited. The process is exacerbated by the common design-bid-build project delivery method in which an engineering firm and construction company are hired separately. These disconnected interests can lead to confusing communication, opposing motivations, unpredictable budgets, limited flexibility, and lengthy construction times.

Design-build can save you time, money, and frustration. With design-build, one company – with one contract - work together as a team from inception to completion to finish projects in the most streamlined way possible. With both professional engineers and construction project managers in-house, there is no hierarchy or siloed division of labor. If an issue does arise, there is no finger-pointing with a design-build company who holds responsibility for both the design and construction.

Why Design Build works better for rural communities:

1.?????Less demanding on small staffs

Design Build is full service. There is one contact person for the entire project. Your staff does not have to track down the ‘right’ person with the answers only to play mediator between different leaders of the project’s moving parts.

2.?????Design-build is faster

According to a 2019 study from the University of Colorado-Boulder, design-build projects are completed twice as fast as Design-bid-build.

3.?????Design-build eliminates the need for change orders

If you have ever been caught between an architect that demands changes and a construction crew that says those changes cannot be made/were not part of the original bid, you know the importance of skipping this headache. There are no snags between divisions or finger-pointing in design-build as the entire project is a team effort.

4.?????Design-build can be less expensive

Considering inflation and supply chain issues, your project could end up being cheaper using design-build. The longer a project drags on, the more expensive it becomes.

5.?????Predictable budgets

Project costs are determined earlier in the process and, because of the lack of change orders, are much less prone to overruns.

6.?????Design-build results in higher quality work

Engineers and construction managers work on the same team – they are both equally invested in the highest quality outcome, not just their own interests.

7.?????Design-build may help access federal funding

With the goal of reducing construction times, alternative delivery methods, like design-build, are an increased administrative priority for federal funding. The more experience a rural community gets with design-build, the more potential there is for accessing money down the road.?

E3 is the preferred design-build contractor in Texas, providing holistic facility solutions related to indoor air quality, deferred maintenance, high energy costs, or lack of funding. E3 specializes in HVAC systems, indoor air quality, LED lighting, building automation systems, and other infrastructure.

To find out more, attend one of our breakout sessions at ARCIT 2022.

Interested in exploring design-build? You can reach E3 at:

972-325-1919 | [email protected] | www.es3s.com