Design-Assist: Getting Contractors Involved Early

By Gregory Andre, K&L Gates, Chicago

Innovation in construction delivery methodology is clearly trending toward collaborative, teamwork approaches.  Design-assist is one such approach that requires taking only a small step away from traditional delivery methods and avoids the leap required by integrated project delivery.  Its potential advantages are reduced time and cost for construction, improved constructability and added value.

[A] What Is Design-Assist?

1. Overview.  Design-assist is a project delivery method in which the construction team is engaged by the owner to collaborate with the architect or engineer during the design phase.  It is intended to reduce the cost and time for construction, improve constructability and add value.  Design-assist is part of the recent trend in delivery methods toward teamwork approaches to design and construction.

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