A Better Way to Build: 10 Reasons Why the Design-Build Delivery Method Works for Education and Municipal Construction Projects
October 15, 2025
Article Takeaways:
- Design-build streamlines the construction delivery process. By integrating design and construction under one contract, it eliminates finger-pointing and inefficiencies common in traditional delivery methods.
- Single-source responsibility drives accountability throughout design-build construction. One team manages cost, quality, and the schedule throughout the entire project.
- Collaboration and communication thrive in the design-build model. Having one unified team builds trust between the owner and the builder through open, transparent communication at every stage.
- Owners maintain control and confidence from the beginning to the end of the project. Design-build construction advantages include open-book pricing, active owner involvement, and informed decision-making at every step.
- Projects are completed faster and more cost-effectively. Parallel workflows, early problem-solving, and a design-to-budget approach empower an efficient approach to design and delivery.
- The results speak for themselves. Design-build with Performance Services consistently delivers higher-quality outcomes, greater client satisfaction, and eliminates change orders.
Introduction
Design-build construction will represent up to 47% of non-residential construction spending by 2026. There’s a reason for that. In fact, there are ten key reasons for that. I’ll break down the top ten reasons public owners are switching to design-build for their new construction and renovation projects.
Design-Led, Design-Build: Why It’s A Better Way to Build
Design-build construction is a project delivery method where a single entity, the design-builder, is responsible for both the design and construction phases of a project. In a traditional construction approach, like design-bid-build, the design and construction phases are separate, with an architect or designer creating the plans and the contractors bidding on and building the project based on those plans.
As a result, there is often finger-pointing and headaches from managing separate contracts. In contrast, design-build projects streamline the process by integrating the design and construction under one roof. This is a design-build advantage, providing single-source responsibility by having a single contract with a only one firm.
Unlike many design-build contractors today, our process is led by architects and engineers, not construction management. At Performance Services, we utilize a design-to-budget approach to best meet owner objectives.
Related Reading: What’s the Difference Between Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build Projects?
10 Reasons to Choose Design-Build for Your Next Construction/Renovation Project
The design-build process is gaining popularity among public owners across the U.S. as it produces more efficient and cost-effective results. Below are the top ten reasons for that growth. First, a quick overview before we dive deeper:
- Teamwork: The Ultimate Design-Build Advantage
- Total Accountability: The Power of Single-Source Responsibility
- Continuity: One Provider from Start to Finish
- Expertise: Integrated Design Teams with Proven Experience
- Professional Guides: Partners as Trusted Advisors
- Owner Control: Empowering the Project’s Success
- Collaboration: True Partnership Approach Between the Design-builder and Owner
- Open, Honest, and Frequent Communication: The Backbone of Project Transparency
- Time Savings: The Efficiency of Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build
- Cost Savings: Cost-Efficiency without Sacrifices
1. Teamwork: The Ultimate Design-Build Advantage
Design-build construction, the master builder approach, fosters a team-oriented mindset. Because the designers and constructors are on the same ‘team,’ everyone is working toward a common goal: A project delivered on time and on budget that exceeds the owner’s expectations. The design-builders’ team is established on day one, at the beginning of the design process. This encourages early collaboration among architects, engineers, and construction management to work together through the pre-construction phase, ensuring the project fits within the budget without compromising quality or design.
When projects encounter challenges (and there are always challenges), pointing fingers is not an option. Instead, the design-build team is solely accountable for enacting a solution. If challenges arise with the design, budget, or construction, everyone rolls up their sleeves and collaborates on solutions as a team.
Why does this matter? A teamwork approach provides a seamless experience for the public owner. They don’t have to manage separate contracts, and they don’t have to act as an intermediary between design and construction entities if problems arise. Design-build contractors can streamline collaboration through the entire design-build process.
2. Total Accountability: The Power of Single-Source Responsibility
The design-build firm is responsible for the entire project, encompassing the quality of the design, the visual appearance of the result, the total costs, and the completion time of construction. When the same group that designs the project also builds the project, much more attention is given to the details, including designing to the target budget, frequent estimate updates, and design constructability reviews.
The costs of all project aspects are considered early in the process, including design fees, anticipated construction costs, and market condition forecasts. The design-builder will update the cost estimate in real-time as the design updates. This allows the owner to frequently evaluate the project and pursue additional scope or reconsider a current situation. All this data is transparently shared with the owner by the design-builder at all steps.
Unfortunately, it is not unusual to hear about situations involving design-bid-build or construction-manager-at-risk projects where the project cost is significantly higher than the designer initially estimated, because the construction manager was not involved during the design phase. This often results in missing the target budget. This can cause intense stress during the projects, resulting in a financial burden or a delayed schedule due to the need for redesign. Such a scenario is unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build services focus on results and owner satisfaction.
| Performance Measure | Design-Build vs. CMR | Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build |
| Cost Growth | 2.4% less | 3.8% less |
| Schedule Growth | 3.9% less | 1.7% less |
| Construction Speed | 13% faster | 36% faster |
*Source: Design-Build Data Sourcebook, 2021
Why does this matter? The design-build constructor is fully responsible for delivering on all aspects of a project, including identifying problems or issues, pinpointing the underlying causes, and correcting them. They are also responsible for managing all contracts with other companies, including subcontractors, material providers, and equipment vendors. The benefits of the design-build construction process alleviate the everyday challenges associated with other construction delivery methods.
Related Reading: How Does Construction Manager At-Risk Differ from Design-Build?
3. Continuity: One Provider from Start to Finish
A design-build construction company is involved in the project from the initial concept to construction completion. This adds an inherent efficiency to the process. Clear and effective communication channels are established before early concepts are created. This enables a streamlined process throughout the design and construction phases. Design-build best practices utilize an integrated project leader who is both an architect and leads the design team during the design phase, carrying forward as the point person during construction. This integrated project leader oversees the project from start to finish and serves as the glue that holds the team together, as well as a reliable communication link with the owner.
Why does this matter? Having a single team from start to finish, rather than handing off the design to another construction entity, ensures clear communication throughout the project. One integrated design-build project leader manages the design and construction of the project, creating efficiency and making it easier for the owner, as they have one point of contact throughout the process.
4. Expertise: Integrated Design Teams with Proven Experience
There is a tremendous advantage to working with a design-build firm with an established in-house team and proven design-build construction partners. This allows your design-build contractor to think like both a designer and a builder. Design-build team leaders are licensed professionals with advanced formal training and applicable project experience. They have a deep understanding of the construction process, and their extensive project experience means they’ve likely encountered and resolved various challenges. This expertise can lead to more effective problem-solving and better decision-making throughout the project. Further, an experienced design-build team is an expert in general construction and building systems and has strong partnerships with reliable and pre-qualified subcontractors.
Why does it matter? A qualified design-build construction company brings a wealth of design and construction expertise to the table, helping guide the owner through the process. Their intimate knowledge is critical at key checkpoints during the design phase, as they understand how early design decisions can impact the budget or construction.
5. Professional Guides: Partners as Trusted Advisors
There are stories of design and construction projects getting out of hand. However, design and construction should not be chaotic or stressful. The design-build expert is a trusted advisor to the owner throughout the design and construction process. They guide the way to the best possible project outcome. Design-build offers a best-practice construction process from start to finish.
Why does it matter? The design-builder takes full responsibility for the project and wants to see it executed as well as the owner does. They have ‘skin in the game’ too.
6. Owner Control: Empowering the Project’s Success
The design-build process enables the owner to participate in designing and building their project actively. As a result, the owner is assured their project goals will be accomplished by contributing to the process. Such involvement gives the owner lasting pride in their project and ensures their needs are met.
Additionally, unlike the design-bid-build process, the design-build construction process empowers the owner to select pre-qualified design consultants and subcontractors based on the best value. This avoids the all-too-common circumstances of ‘being stuck with the low bidder’ who is underperforming or may not have the owner’s best interest in mind. All bids and pricing are transparent to the owner; therefore, the owner is informed about costs and alternatives. A qualified design-build company anticipates and accounts for all potential hidden costs to deliver the agreed-upon design within the target budget.
Why does it matter? Emphasizing owner engagement and input throughout the design and construction process ensures the project outcome meets expectations. It also ensures the owner’s voice is heard during essential planning, design, and contractor decisions.
7. Collaboration: True Partnership Approach Between the Design-builder and Owner
Unlike projects delivered using the construction-manager-at-risk model, where designers and contractors have separate contracts with the owner and no accountability to each other, design-build eliminates finger-pointing. The design-build company has a master agreement with the owner. This allows the owner to retain total control over the project, and the team is there to empower and collaborate from the initial concept to completion. This creates a win-win and produces a genuinely collaborative environment.
Why does it matter? Collaboration is crucial to the success of a major construction or renovation project.
8. Open, Honest, and Frequent Communication: The Backbone of Project Transparency
With the design-build method, all pricing is completely transparent. This enables the owner to make informed, real-time decisions throughout the design and construction process. Other delivery methods often hide costs or wait until an issue arises before budget concerns occur.
Design-build creates transparent communication environments, not because people say what everyone wants to hear, but because they say what everyone needs to hear. Clear communication establishes the project budget early on, which informs key decisions and agreements throughout the entire project.
Why does it matter? This transparency provides trust between the owner and the design-build contractor. But most importantly, it allows projects to stay on or under budget without change order delays and cost overruns. Learn more about Performance Services’ commitment to no-change orders here.
9. Time Savings: The Efficiency of Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build
Maintaining or exceeding the planning, design, and construction schedule is paramount for a successful project. Design-build construction involves managing hundreds of timelines that must be coordinated in lockstep. Design-build services provide the owner with opportunities to consider major decisions, ask questions, receive real-time feedback, and make proactive choices that can impact schedule goals. All key stakeholders are involved from the beginning of the process.
Anything the team can do to avoid taking steps backward will lead to better, faster, and more cost-effective results. The design-build system is highly adaptive and responsive during the construction phase. Big decisions can be revisited without the added cost and time delays created by change orders due to design oversight or gaps in plans and specifications, which are often seen in design-bid-build and construction manager-at-risk delivery models.
Why does it matter? Some components of construction may not be dependent on the completion of the design and can be completed in parallel to the design work. Any issues between design and construction can be identified early on, and changes can be made collaboratively throughout the process.
10. Cost Savings: Cost-Efficiency without Sacrifices
Inherent to the design-build model is a design-to-budget approach that identifies essential design elements up front rather than reacting downstream and cutting costs from an over-budget design. These project cost savings have been well studied and documented, as noted in the DBIA table above. Along with inherent cost savings, the project is completed more quickly due to the ability to parallel schedules and the absence of change orders within the agreed-upon scope of work. Even when scope changes are inevitably made along the way, the single and integrated team is naturally in a better position to respond quickly and efficiently.
Why does it matter? Owners can rest assured knowing their projects will be completed on time, but most importantly, on budget.
Case Study: Wisconsin Heights School District
The Wisconsin Heights School District has used the traditional design-bid-build model for completing construction and renovation projects for many years. They experienced the tension of managing separate contracts with separate entities, including finger-pointing and unpleasant and surprising change orders. As a result of their experiences, the District sought a more effective way to renovate its campus, ensuring a collaborative and cost-effective process. When the time came for their next construction project, following a successful referendum, the District investigated the design-build construction and discovered that it could better meet their needs.
In 2020, the District ultimately chose Performance Services as its design-build partner to create a one-campus district by renovating the Middle/High School building and expanding it to accommodate elementary students. Former District Administrator Jordan Sinz said, “The most significant consideration in our selection decision was a single point of contact with one contract. The board and I did not want any buck-passing or finger-pointing. With design-build, the buck started and ended with the design-builder. Time was critical for our situation, so this delivery method with sole accountability for design and construction was right for this project.”
Despite several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was completed on time. Even with ever-changing restrictions, associated cost escalations, and related supply chain delays, Performance Services worked with the District to ensure the designs and materials did not exceed the project costs. The design-build construction team consistently communicated with the District throughout every challenge to ensure the best possible outcome. Ultimately, the project was delivered as promised on time, with no change orders, based on the agreed-upon scope of work, final bids, and pricing.
Additional Design-Build Project Success Stories
Wisconsin Heights isn’t the only public owner shifting to design-build delivery method. Below are some recent success stories from our clients.
- City of Rushville: This $4.5 million adaptive reuse project transformed a century-old historic building into a new City Center. After trying and failing to complete the project on time and budget with traditional design-bid-build delivery, the City selected design-build to ensure the project could meet their goals.
- Avon Community Schools: This $113 million project focused on renovating and expanding the district’s high school to accommodate growing enrollment. Given the complex nature of the renovations and the tight timeline for completion, the District selected a design-build approach to ensure the project met its deadlines.
- Elkhart County Courts: This $96.5 million project has been in the works for decades. After researching construction methods, the County selected design-build to design and construct a new consolidated court campus to provide a central location for residents and government officials.
- Mooresville Schools Pioneer Pavilion: After several successful design-build projects, the District chose this method. This $15.2 million project focused on creating a state-of-the-art athletic complex and expanding the existing cafeteria.
Conclusion
The design-build method is a highly effective approach for new construction and renovation projects, providing many advantages that can’t be overlooked. From its streamlined design and construction and single-point responsibility to fostering collaboration and client involvement, this method offers a winning combination that leads to successful outcomes.
The ten reasons outlined above dispel common myths and demonstrate how the design-build approach saves time and money while delivering superior quality and client satisfaction. By embracing these principles, stakeholders can look forward to smoother, more efficient projects that deliver on their visions and the promise of innovation, adaptability, and excellence in construction and renovation endeavors.
Ready to start building with us? Contact us today, and our design-build construction experts will meet with you to discuss how our design-led, design-build approach can elevate your next construction or renovation project.
Hear From Satisfied Clients.
"Avon Community School Corporation has done multiple projects with Performance Services over the last several years. We have been pleased with the construction process and their work has led to positive changes to our schools. Their approach is collaborative and they value input from our team at all steps in the process. They are responsive to feedback and have a strong team in all areas of the organization. We value the high-quality work and collaboration that Performance Services brings to our district."
Scott Wyndham
Superintendent | Avon Community School Corporation
"The progressive design-build process has been very smooth and interactive. The communication and working relationship with Performance Services has been excellent. I'm confident that we have a design that meets all our program needs, is innovative, highly efficient, within our budget, and will reduce ongoing operating costs."
Tony Frawley
Former Tipton County Sheriff | Tipton County, IN
