What is a primary advantage of Design-Build?

• A. There is a separate contract for design and construction.
• B. There is a single source of responsibility, and the owner receives a fixed price early in the process.
• C. All parties work independently with little collaboration.
• D. It typically results in longer project duration.

Answer: (B)

Design-Build hinges on a single contract that covers both design and construction, giving the owner one point of accountability. This arrangement means the design-builder is responsible for both sides of the project, reducing the owner’s risk of disputes between designers and constructors and streamlining communication. Because the team works together from the start, cost estimates can be developed with constructability in mind, often allowing a fixed or guaranteed price to be established earlier in the process and reducing change orders later. This integrated approach also tends to speed delivery by overlapping design and construction activities. The other scenarios describe separate contracts, little collaboration, or longer timelines, which are not typical advantages of Design-Build.