What is Design/Build and Is It Right For you?
If you're a business owner or developer planning a new commercial, industrial, or agricultural project in Utah, chances are you've come across the term design/build. While the concept has gained traction across the country, it's particularly valuable here in Utah, where weather windows, permit timelines, and labor availability make construction schedules tight. So what exactly is design/build, and why is it often the faster, more efficient path to getting your building up and running? Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Design/Build Model
Design/build is a construction delivery method where a single company — often referred to as the design/builder or design/build contractor — manages both the design and construction phases of your project. Instead of hiring a separate architect, engineer, and general contractor, you’re working with one integrated team from start to finish.
At A.D. Constructors, our design/build process brings together designers, estimators, and field crews under one roof, streamlining communication and eliminating the handoff delays that come with traditional construction models.
Traditional Construction vs. Design/Build
To understand the time-saving benefits of design/build, it helps to compare it to the traditional approach, also known as design–bid–build.
Traditional Model:
You first hire an architect or engineer to design your building.
Once plans are complete, you send them out for bid.
Contractors submit proposals, you compare them, and then choose a general contractor to build it.
Any changes or unforeseen issues require coordination across multiple firms — often leading to delays.
Design/Build Model:
You hire one firm from the beginning.
Design and construction are planned together, often overlapping in schedule.
Communication is immediate, changes are simpler, and everyone is working toward the same goal.
The result? Fewer delays, fewer surprises, and a smoother overall process.
How Design/Build Saves Time
In our experience working across Utah’s commercial and industrial sectors, the design/build approach saves time in four key areas:
1. Faster Project Start
With design/build, you can get started before your design is fully finalized. This allows us to begin site work, permitting, and material procurement early — while design documents are still being refined.
2. Reduced Bid and Negotiation Time
In a traditional model, it can take weeks or even months to prepare bid packages, collect contractor estimates, and value-engineer the project back into budget. Design/build avoids that step entirely by aligning design decisions with real construction pricing from day one.
3. Streamlined Permitting
Because our in-house team is familiar with local Utah building codes, we can often preempt permit issues during the design phase — reducing the likelihood of rejected plans or resubmittals.
4. Fewer Change Orders
When the same team designs and builds your project, there’s far less “scope creep.” Miscommunication between architect and builder is minimized, which means fewer costly change orders and rework once construction begins.
Why It Matters in Utah
Utah presents unique challenges that make design/build particularly valuable:
Short construction seasons in rural areas or mountain towns
Rapid growth and tight competition for permits and labor
High land and material costs that require careful budgeting upfront
Design/build helps overcome these challenges by compressing timelines, controlling costs, and keeping everyone on the same page from day one.
Who Should Consider Design/Build?
Design/build isn’t just for massive commercial warehouses. It’s an ideal fit for:
Business owners who need a new office, shop, or production facility
Developers trying to get a commercial or industrial project to market quickly
Farmers or ranchers looking for a modern, code-compliant agricultural structure
Anyone who values simplicity, speed, and accountability in their construction partner
If you're tired of the finger-pointing that can happen in traditional builds — “that’s the architect’s fault,” or “you’ll have to ask the engineer” — design/build gives you a single point of contact. One team. One schedule. One goal.
Final Thoughts
Design/build is more than a trend — it's a smarter way to build, especially in a fast-moving market like Utah. By integrating the design and construction phases, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and improve your odds of finishing on time and on budget.
At A.D. Constructors, we’ve delivered countless successful projects using the design/build method. From warehouses to specialized industrial buildings, we’re here to help you simplify the process and accelerate your timeline without compromising quality.