30 Apr Why Design-Build is the Better Choice
Here at HiFive Development Services, Inc., we’re often asked about the advantages of design-build over the conventional system of hiring a separate architect and general contractor. It’s a great question, and with over a decade of design-build experience under our belts, we feel like it’s a good time to call out our Top 10 Reasons why the design-build system is the better choice.
Top 10 Design-Build Advantages
Everyone is On the Same Team
We’re all in this together and we all have the same goal –to arrive at a successful project that meets or exceeds your expectations for your Hotel. When challenges are encountered on a project (and there are always challenges), pointing fingers is not an option, everyone rolls up their sleeves and works on solutions.
Total Accountability
One entity, HiFive, is accountable for everything –including how the end result looks, how much it costs, and the timeline of completion. When the same group that designs the project also builds the project, there is much more attention given to pricing and scheduling in the design phase. The cost of everything is considered early on in the process; all fees, construction costs, utilities, landscaping allowances — everything.
Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for us to hear from others that “after all the changes and corrections, their Hotel cost much more than the architect said it would.” Such a scenario is entirely unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build focuses on results, not excuses.
Continuity
HiFive is involved from start to finish, which adds an inherent efficiency. The chance for things to fall through the cracks is greatly diminished.
Expertise
HiFive personnel are experts in design AND construction. Our staff includes licensed architects with formal architectural training and experience in the Hotel Industry. We also have professional hotel experience in construction and understand pricing, sequencing and how best to design and build your hotel.
In the new economy, we’re noticing architects trying a bit too hard to look like design-build operations without having any field training. Likewise, we’ve raised our eyebrows at a few general contractors who claim to have suddenly become accomplished designers.
There is a tremendous advantage to working with architects that can think like builders, and builders who can think like architects, but design-build is a commitment — something you dedicate yourself to for an entire career… not just when it’s convenient.
Professional Guides
Design and construction shouldn’t be chaotic or stressful. HiFive is a beacon to clients throughout the process, guiding the way to the best possible outcome. Design-Build refines a system from beginning to end and manages the chaos into orderly steps.
Involvement
HiFive operates under the assumption that you actually want to be an active participant in the design and construction of your hotel. By being involved, you’re assuring an outcome for satisfaction of your goals and peace of mind for quality completion. We’ve found that such an involvement is inspiring and gives people a lasting sense of pride about their hotel.
Collaboration
Design-build cuts out the big egos so common in the design industry. In design-build the client retains total control over the project and the team is there to empower them.
The Best Kind of Communication is Open, Honest and Often
Design-build is transparent because we want clients to understand the process and to know what’s going on. The best partnerships work, not because people say what everyone wants to hear, but because they say what everyone needs to hear. Through clear communication, the budget is defined early on and becomes the agreement for the entire project.
Time is of the Essence
Design and construction involves managing hundreds of timelines that need to coordinate in lockstep. Design-build creates opportunities for clients to sit with big decisions, ask questions, and consider their options. Anything the team can do to avoid taking steps backwards is going to lead to better, faster and more cost-effective results. The design-build system is highly adaptive and responsive in the field. Big decisions can be revisited during construction without change orders or additional fees. The conventional story is that if you make change,s it will cost you money – which is not necessarily so in design-build.
Cost Savings
HiFive has found that inherent to the design-build model is a savings of approximately 10% of the project costs compared to using separate Architects and General Contractors. This savings is largely achieved by removing all the guess work early on in the design process. Optimal Value Engineering starts day one, not months down the road when the architect’s plans have become too expensive to build.
Our company was created to provide our clients with a more effective, less expensive, and more thorough building process, from planning and design, to construction. Contact HiFive today to see how we can help with your next project.