Design-build used to be considered an alternative way to build. New research shows it’s now the fastest growing and most popular method delivering construction projects in America. Industry analysts at FMI have completed a comprehensive assessment of the nonresidential, highway/street and water/wastewater construction market.
“This research is incredibly important as design-build transitions from what used to be considered an alternative delivery process, not so many years ago, to the preferred delivery method for a growing number of public and private owners. Collaboration and innovation are delivering better projects that also achieve cost and schedule savings, which is especially important as cash-strapped states and communities have to do more with less,” according to Lisa Washington, Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Executive Director/CEO. DBIA brings together thousands of organizations and individuals representing architects, engineers, owners, contractors (and more) to promote best practices in design-build.
Data shows design-build is helping deliver vital infrastructure in all sectors and regions of the United States. Respondents report saving time and money, while more innovation and collaboration delivers better projects and leads to high design-build satisfaction and increased usage. The FMI Design-Build Market research included the following highlights:
• Overall, design-build is anticipated to account for 44% of construction spending in the assessed segments (nonresidential, highway/street and water/wastewater) delivering $1.2 trillion in construction put in place by 2021.
• Design-build spending is anticipated to grow 18% overall, with the highway/street and water/wastewater sectors seeing 30% growth by 2021.
• Design-build spending in Manufacturing (16%), Highway/Street (14%) and Educational (15%) represent the greatest percentage of design-build construction spending by segment over the 2018-2021 period.
• Experience with design-build was rated highest across all project delivery methods with 76% reporting very good and excellent experiences.
• Opportunities to innovate and the ability to fast track a project were identified as top benefits associated with design-build.