What are the advantages of using a Design/Build General Contractor?
A. It is a given that Architects are educated to design and Contractors are trained to build. However, Architects are usually employed by an owner to produce a set of plans and to solicit at least three competitive bids from Contractors who, typically, he has never worked with. Therefore, the Architect has a tendency to over design in order to limit liability and spend a tremendous amount of time on additional details. On the other hand, if it is left to a Contractor to design and build the facility, you have no assurances that you are getting a structurally sound facility because usually the Contractor has not been schooled in the various areas of design. A Contractor’s expertise is in the area of building so, typically, the Contractor knows the most efficient ways to construct your facility. By choosing a Design/Build General Contractor who works closely with his or her own team of Architects and Engineers, the client reaps the benefits of structurally sound and cost-efficient design
