If you’ve won the contract for a new construction project or remodel in Vancouver and are starting to map out your project scope, consider bringing electrical design-build contractors into the conference room. Having an electrical contractor on the design-build team to give input early in the construction process can save you time and money – no lengthy, paper-intensive bidding process to find contractors. In return, you’ll receive innovative, value-added electrical engineering solutions from your electrical contractor.
Structuring Design-Build Projects
Design-build means the contractor provides project design and executes the work. Team members across construction disciplines work together under a single entity to produce drawings and construction plans.
Entire team involvement from concept, to planning, to project execution can reduce the risk (and cost) of change orders or rework. Assembling electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors early in the process also promotes condensed (and practical) building schedules, since activities such as pulling permits can occur concurrently with design work.
Design-build contracts are typically written by a lead contractor who acts as a single point of contact with the customer during the project. The process occurs in phases, allowing the team to react to changes throughout the project and adapt design and build plans as needed to meet objectives.
How to Choose Electrical Design-Build Contractors
Although effective, the integrated delivery of a design-build process is demanding and requires a robust skill set. Use this checklist to find the right electrician in Vancouver, WA for your design-build project. Look for an electrical contractor who has:
- Strong engineering skills to be able to assess the project’s objectives and then develop the electrical and electronic equipment and systems to meet them.
- A dedicated design staff to provide the precise project planning needed to keep costs in line.
- Up-to-date tools and equipment needed for designs and accurate cost estimates such as the latest version of AutoCAD and Revit.
- Prior experience with design-build projects. Transforming a plan on paper into reality requires project management skills, including the ability to ask the right questions, then listen to responses, and find the right solution. In some ways, raising the building is the easy part.
- Demonstrated understanding of utility requirements as well as city and state jurisdictions since subcontractor work requirements that may vary across locations.
- Adaptability to take the lead as prime contractor, particularly with projects with intensive electrical focus, such as telecommunications upgrades.
Making the Process Work for Your Project
Your role as owner of a design-build project includes the following responsibilities:
- An explicit and well-defined project scope
- An outline of team responsibilities / roles and how you’ll measure their success
- Willingness to make informed, sound decisions quickly
- Trust in your design-build contractors’ capabilities and experience
- Consistent and clear communication throughout the project
Industry research over the past few years has demonstrated that compared to a design-bid-build process, the design-build approach for projects delivers better cost and on-time performance, reduces change orders, delivers better quality and enhances response to evolving needs throughout the project. Your return on investment with design-build hits your books sooner, too.
Expert Electricians in Vancouver, WA
At Prairie Electric, our design-build teams are part craftsmen, part visionaries, and part problem solvers. We value partnerships, and bring experience, work ethic, responsiveness and common sense to each project. Contact us to discuss how we can help bring your project to life.
