By Carol L. O’Riordan
In response to a current discussion on the ConstructionPro Network about fixed-price design-build contracts, today I wrote that no matter how well-prepared an owner and a contractor may be when such a contract is being created, they are well-advised to ensure that adequate documentation, reflective of the design-build relationship, is in place at all subordinate levels (first tier subcontractors, second tier, supply chain, etc.) The use of subcontract, purchase order, scheduling, and release forms that are designed for design-bid-construct projects will create confusion and gaps that can lead to ambiguities.
Design-build contracts are a useful technique for completing construction work, but they require careful consideration.
