A study of the problems encountered when using design/build in construction

Abstract

Design/build is a delivery method that has been used lately usually in large projects in order to complete a project in a shorter amount of time and with less money. These two advantages play a priority role for the owners who can start using their product earlier and with minimum cost and for the contractors who can deliver the product faster. However, owners and contractors might focus so much on these advantages that they may overlook the problems that might occur if this method is used. They get carried away with these two pros and end up using methods for projects that are not appropriate for design/build. The author of this thesis will attempt to identify the disadvantages and the problems that exist when this delivery method is used by comparing it to traditional delivery methods. Moreover, the author briefly talks about the criteria and requirements that need to be met by the professionals involved in the project when design/build is being utilized. This particular analysis answers the question on why is it that design/build does not work in all projects in Chapter 4. In order to understand these problems, a case study on the 1-15 Design/build project in Utah is done in Chapter 5. The purpose of the case study was to recognize the problems as they appeared in this project and to get an idea of what solutions were given in order to lead to a successful completion of the design/build project.