Design/Build vs. Design/Bid Build

Conventional wisdom says design/bid/build. But perhaps it isn’t wisdom at all.

Think about it. It's an advantage to you: The people who helped define your master plan are the ones to design, install, train and provide service for your systems. 

In the design/bid/build approach, a consultant designs a system based on your master plan and you put it out for bid.  Another company, or companies, are awarded the bid and begin the install process according to the consultant’s design. In this scenario, who manages the project? Who does the church call when the system has a failure? Does the installer assume responsibility, or will he claim it was a faulty design and accept no liability?  In turn, will the consultant/designer refuse to accept responsibility and say it is a functionality/install issue?  Will the church ever know for certain who to call, and of even greater consequence, will they receive the support they need and deserve?

With design/build firms, the buck stops at one place:  the design/build firm.  How is that beneficial to the client? 

  • The design/build firm is accountable from start to finish.
  • You, the client, always know who to call.  
  • The design/build firm is intimately familiar with the design, the church and technical staff, and they understand how all the components work together.  
  • The design/build firm designed the system, so they know exactly how the components work together, how the infrastructure and installation should be implemented, how each piece of gear works within the design, and how to train and service the systems after installation is complete.

A design/build firm works with the client to establish a budget and then gives a guaranteed turnkey price. The design/build firm becomes a partner with the church at the beginning of the project, from establishing a budget to designing the systems, to installing to training the church technology staff, to service afterwards. The same team that helped shape your vision from the very beginning is with you all the way through the project, and into the future as you grow.