Lionakis’ very own Chuck Hack, Principal of Business Development, was recently featured in the Comstock’s Magazine August 2019 edition. In it, he provides a look into the most common project delivery methods (PDMs) the firm uses, and shares the benefits and drawbacks they often have:

Project Delivery Methods Help Construction Happen

By: Jessica Laskey, Comstock’s Magazine

Build it, and they will come–but how should you contract to build it?

“You can have a great design, but if you don’t have a way to turn that vision into reality, the whole thing falls apart,” says Chuck Hack of architecture and engineering firm Lionakis. “Project delivery methods help a client bring a project to market.”

There are many different types of project delivery methods, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Design-Build is one of the most popular, in which an owner develops a concept, then contracts with a single company that both designs and constructs the project. Another is Design-Bid-Build, in which an owner develops a plan with an architect or engineer and then solicits bids from contractors.

Meanwhile, integrated project delivery–in which owner, architect and contractor work in collaboration from the get-go–is not as commonly used as Design-Build or Design-Bid-Build, but because of its integrated structure, it is a cost-saving approach. So how do construction companies choose? Often the clients selects the PDM based on how much control they want. Having separate service providers means more control but higher cost. Tighter integration can mean reduced costs but potentially limited influence.

Chuck Hack
Principal of Business Development
Lionakis

Which PDM do you use?

“We do a lot of public and complex private work. The delivery method our clients often select is Design-Bid-Build, but we’re seeing an increase in Design-Build.”

Why choose Design-Bid-Build?

“When we have input, we recommend delivery methods that allow communication and collaboration between the client, contractor and architect early on.”

What are the benefits?

“Design-Bid-Build can be beneficial in quickly defining the scope of a project, creating a design that addresses the client’s needs and ensuring the project is delivered cost-effectively.”

What are the drawbacks?

“Lack of contractor input upfront can lead to design decisions that negatively affect price, and the bidding process can make the project take longer.”

*This blog article is an excerpt from Comstock’s Magazine August 2019 special supplement. For the complete article and interview responses please refer to the print version on pages 77-81.