Overestimating Design-Build

Even though design-build activity continues to grow, a recent Zweig White & Associates (ZWA) survey concludes that there is little evidence suggesting design-build will ever become the project delivery method of choice in the industry.

By Staff January 25, 2001

Even though design-build activity continues to grow, a recent Zweig White & Associates (ZWA) survey concludes that there is little evidence suggesting design-build will ever become the project delivery method of choice in the industry.

“Firms need to realize that design/build hasn’t turned into the panacea it was believed it would become for the design and construction industries. It has its place in the industry, but we can all stop waiting for the time when every job will be completed using design/build, because it’s not coming,” claims Mark C. Zweig, president and CEO of the Natick, Mass.-based firm.

Looking at ZWA’s 1997 design-build survey, firms projected a 80-percent median increase in the percentage of gross revenue brought in by design-build work from 1997 to 2000. In ZWA’s 2000 survey, firm’s predicted a 25-percent increase in this area.

Although engineers are still optimistic about design-build growth in the public sector, ZWA’s study suggests that many federal, state and municipal laws still restrict its use. In addition, the higher level of risk associated with these projects continues to serve as an obstacle to design-build growth, says the report.

For more information, visit www.zweigwhite.com .