Under a design and build contract, one company takes responsibility for both designing and constructing your scheme. For a developer, that means a single point of contact, earlier cost certainty and less risk sitting with you. Here is what to look for.
What a good design and build contractor should offer
- Early involvement: input on design and buildability before drawings are fixed, when changes are cheapest
- A clear design brief: turning your Employer’s Requirements into a design that meets your specification and budget
- Value engineering: finding cheaper ways to achieve the same or better function, without cutting quality
- Risk analysis: identifying ground, planning, programme and supply risks early
- Single-point communication: one team to talk to, rather than co-ordinating architects, engineers and trades yourself
- Planning support: where needed, help taking the scheme through planning before construction
Questions to ask before you appoint
- Have they built schemes of a similar type and size, and can you visit them?
- Which parts of the work do they carry out themselves, and which are subcontracted?
- How do they price and manage design development and change?
- Who will be your day-to-day contact, and how often will they report?
- How do they handle defects and aftercare?
- Are they financially stable, and can they provide references from developer clients?
Is design and build right for your scheme?
Design and build suits developers who want cost certainty, speed and less day-to-day involvement. If you want tight control over design detail, a traditional route or a novated design and build contract, where your architect continues under the contractor, may suit better. Read our guide to choosing a construction procurement method for a full comparison.
