THE FUTURE OF BUILDING: UTILIZING DESIGN-BUILD METHODOLOGY

THE FUTURE OF BUILDING: UTILIZING DESIGN-BUILD METHODOLOGY

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Design-Build is becoming the delivery method of choice for construction projects because of rapid project delivery and total team coordination under one entity. According to a study done by FMI, “Design-build will comprise 44% of construction spending between 2018 and 2021. During this time, design-build construction spending will grow by 18% and reach over $320 billion.”

Because Design-Builders aim to find you savings throughout design and construction, you’ll benefit from using a qualifications-based selection. That means you select the Design-Builder with the best credentials, experience, expertise and team.

As efficiencies in all types of building projects help to keep costs in line and building schedules on target, working with CAVCON, a qualified Design-Build Contractor, will be key to a project’s success. With more and more owners seeking out new and innovative delivery methods using state-of-the-art technologies that offer a broad variety of project components, design-build offers greater collaboration among stakeholders in a departure from the linear hard-bid contract.

WHAT IS DESIGN-BUILD?

Combining the function of an architect, engineer and construction manager into a single entity, the integrated approach is focused on the specific needs of your project. One entity holds single-source responsibility and contractual risk for every aspect of a build — from estimation, assessments and pre-construction to architecture, schematics, engineering, subcontracting, construction and post-construction. CAVCON, the Design-Builder, manages all the above. This system is used to minimize the project risk for a property owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project.

Design + Build is becoming the preferred method of project delivery for many property owners and construction industry professionals. CAVCON’s design-build services include enhanced “value-engineering” and pre-construction reviews, early knowledge of guaranteed costs, accelerated delivery, increased quality control, lower design and engineering fees, reduced owner risk and administrative responsibilities.

PROJECT COST SAVINGS

According to a study done by FMI, Design-Build Projects offer significant savings both in overall costs and time to completion.

“Project cost: On average, projects using design-build (DB) cost 1.9% less per square foot when compared to construction manager at risk (CMR) and 0.3% less when compared to design-bid-build (DBB). DB projects also average 2.4% less cost growth than a comparably scoped project using CMR, and 3.8% less cost growth than a project using DBB.


Project schedule: Design-build (DB) was the best performing project delivery system in terms of schedule growth, delivery speed and construction speed. DB projects see 3.9% less schedule growth than construction manager at risk (CMR) and 1.7% less than design-bid-build (DBB). They’re also 13% faster than CMR during the construction phase and 36% faster than DBB. From design through completion, DB projects are delivered 61% faster than CMR and 102% faster than DBB.”

CLIENT BENEFITS

A design-build team is jointly involved in producing a product that meets a client’s needs rather than merely acting as professional advisors. A collaboration of designers and builders is the foundation of design-build projects. Benefits of design-build project delivery include:

  • Total responsibility for the design and construction entrusted to one entity no divided responsibilities with resultant problems.
  • A coordinated team approach to identify your needs and provide counsel on important decisions that can affect design, performance and cost, limiting the risks of omissions, errors and costs exceeding your budget.
  • Because projects are designed and built with years of construction knowledge and expertise, CAVCON brings accurate costs based on actual experience.
  • Faster occupancy resulting in higher profits for the owner. A study commissioned by the DBIA found that commercial projects using design-build firms finished about 33 percent faster than those that used the traditional design, bid, and build process.
  • Change Orders: A study by Penn State found that compared to DBB, DB projects had a six percent reduction in change orders, delivered 33 percent faster overall, and cost six percent less. By involving the DB entity throughout design, the design and construction disciplines are contractually obligated to work together to complete a design that meets owner needs within constructability and budget parameters. The DB entity bears the risk for the design completeness thereby reducing the need for change orders that can derail budgets and schedules alike. The CII study found “When schedule is critical to project success and budget is still unknown, the DB delivery method should be considered. DB relieves the owner from warranting design documents and mediating interpretations of those documents.”

With CAVCON as your design-build firm, you have one point person throughout the entire length of your project who is accountable for the timeline, the budget, and delivering what the owner wants.

From beginning to end… experience the CAVCON’s Design-Build expertise with leadership, accessibility and accountability in superior design/build service delivery.

About CAVCON

CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company, CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling, construction management, and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. To learn more, visit www.cavcon.com.

About Varco Pruden Buildings

Varco Pruden Buildings is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. Through advanced engineering and proprietary building products, Varco Pruden provides innovative steel building solutions for low-rise commercial and industrial applications – including offices, warehouses, schools, manufacturing and retail projects. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company markets its products through a network of more than 1,000 authorized builders within the United States and Canada. Varco Pruden is a member of the MBMA, CSSBI and the USGBC. For additional information, visit www.varcopruden.com.

Design-Build: A Catalyst for Economic Development

Design-Build: A Catalyst for Economic Development

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by Marc Monteleone and Damon Thomas | Bowles Rice LLP

In 1999, the West Virginia Legislature passed the Design-Build Procurement Act (“Act”), which is codified at Chapter 5, Article 22A of the West Virginia Code. Pursuant to the Act, all state departments, agencies, authorities, quasi-public corporations and all political subdivisions, including cities, counties, boards of education and public service districts, must comply with the Act when considering the use of design-build for an upcoming construction project.

Under the “Design-Build” delivery system of construction in accordance with the Act, the design and construction are performed under a single contract between a state agency and an engineer or architect duly registered in West Virginia, or a contractor duly qualified and licensed under the laws of West Virginia. According to national figures, the design-build delivery system of construction can reduce a project’s overall cost by as much as 30 percent and reduce construction time by as much as 25 percent. Therefore, the design-build method should be considered for any public project that can satisfy the requirements of the Act.

In order for a project to be constructed under the design-build method, the “agency” must receive approval from the Design-Build Review Board (“Board”).

The Board reviews potential projects based upon the following criteria:

  1. the agency has the appropriate legal authority to enter into a design-build contract;
  2. the agency requires a project design and construction timeline that is faster than the traditional design-bid-build process would allow;
  3. the project requires close coordination of design and construction expertise or an extreme amount of coordination;
  4. the agency early cost commitments;
  5. the agency provides a written plan for funding the project; and
  6. the agency has completed and submitted a written application for approval by the Board.

An agency considering the design-build method must make a presentation to the Board. If the presentation is successful, the Board approves a project for use of design-build construction.

In the private sector, more and more development projects are being constructed under the design-build method of construction. As with public sector projects, the process streamlines project delivery by converting the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance that fosters accountability, collaboration and teamwork. Essentially, design-build creates a one-stop shop integrated project delivery method that can bring significant benefits to owners. For example, in 1996, we were very pleased to implement the design-build method during construction of a new Charleston, West Virginia headquarters for our law firm, Bowles Rice. The massive urban project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The benefits of design-build also includes improved communication between teams, increased levels of interdisciplinary fluency and transparency, increased innovation and significantly better budget control. For instance, cost efficiencies can be more easily achieved since the contractor and designer are working together throughout the entire process. By having a single source of responsibility for both design and construction, an owner can mitigate the risk of delays and claims that impact the cost and delivery of a project.

Finally, design-build reduces the delivery schedule by overlapping the project’s design and construction timelines, allowing the building to be designed in phases. Moreover, design-build encourages the design-builder to take more innovative and best-value approaches to designing and constructing the building. The designer and contractor working together from the inception of the project allows them to immediately address potential issues such as the early identification of any design errors, resulting in savings of cost and time for the owner.

Overall, the design-build method’s cost-effective and optimized approach serves as a real catalyst to construction and economic development projects of all sizes. Our regional law firm is extremely well-versed in the design-build process and welcomes the opportunity to help get your next project off the ground.

About the Authors:

Marc Monteleone serves as the Assistant Managing Partner and CFO of Bowles Rice. He authored West Virginia’s design-build legislation and served as Chair of the state’s Design-Build Review Board for nearly 20 years. He is a Charter Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America. Contact Marc in the Charleston, WV office at 304-347-1132 or [email protected].

Damon Thomas is the newest member of the Bowles Rice Construction Law team. His practice covers the full spectrum of construction law, including but not limited to project contracts, project planning, project design and project management issues requiring mediation, arbitration or litigation. Contact Damon in the Southpointe, PA office at 724-514-8944 or [email protected].

A FRESH LOOK FOR METAL BUILDINGS – BREEZECLAMP PROJECT

A FRESH LOOK FOR METAL BUILDINGS – BREEZECLAMP PROJECT

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A-fresh-look-for-Metal-Buildings-the-Breezeclamp-ProjectOver time metal buildings begin to show their age. The elements of Mother Nature begin to take hold, colors fade and rust starts to show. As the real estate investment begins to deteriorate, what could that mean for the business owner? Regardless of the type of business you operate, image is important. If the first thing potential customers see is a worn-out building, the perception could be that a company may not be current with the times.

If buildings are empty and on the commercial market, with a little investment, business developers have the opportunity to command a higher rent because they are presenting a nice-looking exterior.

How many times do you hear that we can’t find good employees and we’re short staffed. Employers are looking for ways to boost morale and take care of the staff they have. Do you think an employee’s perception of their workplace may begin before they enter the door? If the building appears to be run down and owners don’t seem to take notice, it could set the tone for the employee’s production.

So it comes down to this. Do you have the exterior building sandblasted and painted or do you reside the exterior?

cavcon exteriorThe Indiana County Office of Planning and Redevelopment in Indiana County went out to bid to have the exterior of the building sandblasted and painted. The bid came in at over $400,000 with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

In talking with the Indiana County Office of Planning and Redevelopment office, CAVCON discussed residing the building versus having it painted. Our bid to reside the building came in under $200,000 with a 25-30 year parts and finish warranty. We’re currently finishing up this job. The benefit to the customer is that there is no disruption to day to day operations.

metal-buildingsLess money, new product, better warranty and no operational disruptions. Does your metal building look tired? Spring is coming, real estate is moving and manufacturing is booming. An investment in your real estate will help it hold its value. Let CAVCON help you give your tired building a facelift. Contact Ray Duffy at 724-237-7037 or [email protected] to learn more.

About CAVCON: CAVCON brings together three generations of Building Owners/Managers and General Contractors with Design/Build expertise focusing on Medical, Commercial, Retail, Manufacturing and Light Industrial projects. As a full-service merit shop general construction company CAVCON provides design-build services incorporating value engineering, collaborative modeling and turn-key general construction services to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.