Design-Build vs. Traditional Construction Methods: What’s Best for Your Project?
Choosing the right construction delivery method can dramatically impact your project's timeline, budget, and outcome. At Broad Reach Construction, we’ve managed both traditional and design-build projects throughout North Carolina, and we’ve seen firsthand the difference it can make. In this article, we’ll walk you through how these two methods compare—and why design-build is often the smarter choice.
What Is Design-Build?
Design-build is a project delivery method where one team handles both the design and construction phases under a single contract. From day one, architects, engineers, and construction managers work collaboratively to plan, design, and execute the project. This streamlined approach leads to fewer delays, clearer communication, and better alignment with client goals.
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What Is Traditional Construction?
Traditional construction—often called design-bid-build—involves three separate phases: design, bidding, and construction. The owner hires a design team, completes all plans, and then solicits bids from contractors. While this method allows for competitive pricing, it often creates delays and miscommunication, as contractors are brought in after key design decisions are made.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Design-Build | Traditional (Design-Bid-Build) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Timeline | Faster (phases overlap) | Slower (sequential phases) |
| Communication | One point of contact | Multiple stakeholders |
| Change Orders | Fewer due to collaboration | More frequent and costly |
| Cost Control | Improved with early budgeting | Limited during design phase |
| Risk | Shared by one entity | Owner holds more risk |
| Innovation | High (collaborative design) | Limited (design locked early) |
Why Developers Prefer Design-Build
Developers and business owners increasingly favor design-build for its speed, efficiency, and simplicity. With a single contract and unified team, you eliminate finger-pointing, reduce risk, and maintain better control over the budget and schedule. Broad Reach Construction uses this method to bring your commercial vision to life while keeping surprises to a minimum.
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When Traditional Methods Still Work
While we’re strong advocates for design-build, there are scenarios where traditional construction makes sense—particularly in public-sector projects with mandated bidding processes or when the owner has their own project management team to coordinate between design and construction teams.
Kevin Morgan’s Perspective
“With design-build, our clients benefit from a unified team that communicates openly, works efficiently, and takes full responsibility for delivering the final product. It’s not just faster—it’s better.”
Final Thoughts
Design-build vs traditional construction is more than a technical decision—it's a strategic one. While traditional methods rely on fragmented coordination and separate contracts, design-build brings everyone together under one roof with a shared goal. The results speak for themselves: faster timelines, tighter cost control, fewer disputes, and higher client satisfaction. At Broad Reach Construction, we believe that for most commercial projects in North Carolina, design-build isn’t just an alternative—it’s the better way to builds.
📞 Call us at 984-332-3427 or request a consultation to learn whether design-build is the right fit for your next commercial project in North Carolina.