Masonry Magazine January 2008 Page. 48
Design Build
Shown is the U.S. Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp-Tucson in Tucson, Ariz, which won the Design-Build Excellence Award in the Public Sector Building-Over $15 Million category.
"Don't even look at price at this step," says Evey, who teaches owners to communicate goals, challenges, problems and constraints with team members who may offer solutions. "Look at the past performance of the team, and all significant players in the team coming together, including masons, architects, designers, engineering, etc. What have they done together recently; what have they done that is similar; and what are their qualifications? Tell everyone up front what the budget is, and tell them to come back to you and tell you how you can get what you need within your budget."
The name game
THE DBIA IS TRYING to change the use of the term "subcontractor" to "specialty contractor."
"[Subcontractor has come to suggest a subordinate role and give some inaccurate perceptions with respect to the very important role specialty contractors play in the design-build world," Evey says. "That strengthens the role of specialty contractors, like masons, in the award of these contracts."
There are a number of things specialty contractors such as masons can do to prepare and compete for work, beginning with a keen understanding of what the design-build process entails. Knowing the qualifications of the competition is also useful, as is the ability to qualify as a team. This qualification is a task that can only come after working successfully with the team on a number of projects, continually improving, and earning a reputation in the design-build industry, Evey says.
Truth in numbers
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INSTITUTE at Penn State and other groups have conducted studies on the design-build process. Time and again the numbers show that, on average, design build is 6 percent less expensive than design bid build and offers an average 12 percent faster completion time on construction. Design build, overall, is 33 percent faster than design bid build for the entire project process, according to Evey.
Using the teamwork approach, design build brings the different masonry specialists together on projects along with other construction specialists. One of the advantages of design build with regard to the masonry industry is the ability to coordinate various masonry activities, so the timing works in favor of, rather than against, the efforts of the
Design build, overall, is 33 percent faster than design bid build for the entire project process.
Walker "Lee' Evey, President and CEO Design-Build Institute of America
The New Improved Quikpoint Drill-Mate Mortar Gun.