Local governments can execute faster and cheaper water and waste-water projects – with no loss in quality – by using design-build.  This is the conclusion of a joint research study by the University of New Mexico, Iowa State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Surveying 100 projects valued at more than $3 million across 33 states – including DBIA-GLR member states Illinois and Wisconsin – the researchers found:

1. design-build projects took an average of 23 months whereas design-bid-build took 40 months;
2. design-build projects averaged schedule growth of one month whereas design-build-build averaged two months;
3. design-build projects finished on time or early more often than design-bid build;
4. design-build projects finished under budget 38% of the time whereas design-bid-build finished under budget only 20% of the time; and
5. that there was no loss in qualify.

The study – commissioned by the Water Design-Build Council – found that contract pricing methods made a difference as well.  Guaranteed maximum price contracts significantly outperformed lump sum contracts on both schedule and cost.