Baldwin Construction's fast, effective "Design-Build" process achieves the right balance of three key elements - cost, schedule, and quality. We discuss your goals and priorities, address these three key areas, and then assume total responsibility for your project.

Why Choose Design/Build?

Design/Build is a system of contracting under which one entity performs both Architectural/Engineering design and construction. In the traditional Design/Bid/Build approach an owner commissions an architect or engineer to prepare drawings and specifications and separately selects a construction company, either by negotiation or competitive bidding.

Design/Build is nothing new. In fact, it was used to construct classic Greek structures, The Parthenon, the Great Pyramid of Egypt, and even the Pentagon and the Brooklyn Bridge. Master builders of their time served as chief architect, engineer, and builder, accepting full responsibility for their projects – integrating conceptual design with functional performance and quality construction.

Design/Build faded in the 1800’s but has seen a strong resurgence since the 1960’s, capturing more than 70% of the European and Japanese markets and growing rapidly in the United States, driven by cost and time savings as well as the reduced potential for litigation compared to the Design/Bid/Build method.

Baldwin Construction Services, Inc.’s fast, effective Design/Build System packages high quality professional design services with high quality professional construction. This marriage of operating style and service provides you, the client, with a seamless, cost effective, functional project from one accountable source.

Design/Builders manage every aspect of a project from start to finish taking your ideas at the initial meetings and returning with suggestions and selections, ultimately presenting you with a completed project that represents those original ideas. The concept of one accountable expert is attractive in that it keeps your project free of “interpretations” as it moves from design to construction. Should problems arise, sole accountability prevents your project from being bogged down with finger pointing between individual. Cohesiveness between design and construction is enhanced.

Design/Build firms have made customized, professional design affordable to a wider population. Using a Design/Build company to produce plans ensures that the design you love is one that can actually be built within your budget.

With Design/Build you are likely to save one or two months in completion of a project over conventionally separated design and construction services. Entering into the design phase, the Design/Builder already knows where your project fits into the schedule. You are not in the position of having to complete the design phase of the project before you begin to interview the builder. Design and construction phases can be overlapped.

The relationship with your Design/Builder is established during the design phase of your project and your Design/Builder knows what is important to you. As your comfort level increases through getting to know the company before construction actually begins, you are assured that your building will be as you want it.

Design/Build is a delivery system that fits the times. One stop shopping, accountability, functional and cost efficient design are highly valued in today’s hectic environment.

The traditional Design/Bid/Build Process falls short for the following reasons:

1. The Design Rarely Fits the Budget Due to the fact that most designers and architects do not estimate and perform work and because every project is unique, they cannot give a more accurate estimate based on the design they are creating. The very nature of architects is to create grandeur and status with the design, which is good, but not if you cannot afford to build it.

2. Added Cost of this Process in both time and money. An owner hires an architect to do the drawings for an agreed cost. The drawings are developed, but the architect cannot guarantee the project cost. If the project is over budget, after bidding, you will have to pay for new drawings, then invite the same contractors to re-bid or find new contractors.

3. Encourages Under-bidding of Projects Because of the time invested in the bid, the contractor bids strictly by the drawing as to be the successful bidder. Any discrepancy or omission in the drawings will be brought up after the contract has been signed. Since the design was the responsibility of the owner, these items will be Change Orders. This is also true of items that are not specified exactly, such as cabinets, which come in many grades of quality.

4. Adversarial Relationships Develop between architect, engineer, contractor and owner. All parties are frustrated with their inability to bring the project in on budget and blame is assigned.