A Design and Build contract is a procurement route in which the main contractor is appointed to both design and construct the works described in the contract.
This type of contract combines the design and construction project delivery into a single contract, allowing the construction process to begin before the final design is completed, which reduces the project’s overall duration.
Potential risks include design and quality risks, mainly if the employer’s requirements are not adequately gathered or if insufficient time went into examining the contractor’s proposal.
An employer can minimise risks by carefully preparing comprehensive employer requirements and thoroughly evaluating the contractor’s proposal before accepting it. Often a professional consultant is hired to assist with this and protect the client’s interests.
The key steps in the Design and Build process include preparing the employer’s requirements, the contractor’s proposal submission, and the design and construction phases upon acceptance of the proposal.
This document provides a simple guide to this process. You can request a copy by filling in the form opposite with your name and company email address.
