Practical Impacts of Design-Build on the Design Engineer Presented by: Joseph C. Staak, Esq. Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP 2700 Marquis One Tower 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30303-1227 Tel: 404.582.8026
[email protected] www.smithcurrie.com November 2012 NOTES Practical Impacts of Design-Build on the Design Engineer I. INTRODUCTION Project delivery using Design-build has become increasingly popular over the last thirty years. Owners have recognized the advantages of using a single source of responsibility for a project’s design and construction. Many contractors have recognized the popularity of design-build and have made adjustments to their business model allowing them to offer this one-stop system for project delivery. Architects and engineers also recognize that, unless they want to avoid this ever growing segment of the project design market, they too must adapt to working directly with the contractor. Nearly half of all commercial construction in the United States is being awarded using design-build as the project delivery vehicle, and the reasons are obvious. Owners perceive multiple advantages in using design-build. These advantages include, but are not limited to, a single source of responsibility for design and construction, the increased risk design-build transfers to the design- builder, the opportunity to fast track design and construction to reduce the time from concept to completion, and the owner’s ability to take advantage of the design-builder’s expertise in identifying design solutions. Changes in public procurement during the last 20 years have precipitated an explosion in the use of design-build by government agencies.