What are the attributes of various construction delivery methods, including design-bid-build, design-build, and integrated project delivery?

Selecting the right construction delivery system for a parking garage project is predicated on many factors. These include complexity of the project, the experience of the owner in delivering parking garages, location of the project, procurement regulations and many other factors.

Since parking structures are not as programming-intensive as most built projects, they are good candidates for design-build, as long as the program is well defined and the owner uses a two-step process for selecting the desired design-builder.

Design-bid-build, which has been used for years and encompasses the “traditional” approach, makes sense for owners that may be delivering their first garage.  The process takes longer, but can result in competitive pricing, especially in markets where many strong contractors exist.

Integrated project delivery is being used more and more, often as a very attractive blend of design and construction, where separate agreements exist for the designer and the contractor.  This engages the owner with the design team and contractor throughout the process. Most importantly, integrated project delivery brings together all three parties to collaborate throughout the stages of planning, design, and construction. Depending on the experience of the team members, it can create a more seamless design and construction process.

*Federal, State, and Local codes govern most of these requirements and should be thoroughly investigated. Data presented herein should be considered guidelines only.  For more specific information and assistance with implementation of these guidelines, please contact THA Consulting, Inc. via email at info@tha-consulting.com