Unparelleled Experience.
Exemplary Service.
Giama Construction Corporation, Cebu-based Design and Build Firm, provides full-service construction and management throughout the project term. It is our goal to ensure the construction phase is in a safe and enjoyable exercise given the constraints and our team is committed to making that experience a smooth process. In doing so, we take pride in the collaboration process working alongside with the Architectural & Engineering teams, as well as specialised subcontractors & vendors alike, to continually align short & long term project goals throughout the lifecycle of construction.
Design-Build Services
Architect-led design-build project is a collaborative work between trade professionals and ensures high fidelity on project goals and outcome.
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10 Reasons Why Design-Build Method Works
By: Steve Savoie - Design Process Leader
Did you know that design-build construction accounts for 40% of all non-residential construction? There is a reason for that. Unlike the design-bid-build delivery method, the design-build delivery method brings both design and construction functions together as one team in a single contractual entity to the owner. There are several benefits to this method of completing construction and renovation projects. Here are the top reasons why the design-build delivery method works:
1. Teamwork
The design-build team and the owner are in this together, and they have the same goal –to complete a successful project that meets or exceeds the owner’s expectations. When teams encounter challenges on a project (and there are always challenges), pointing fingers is not an option. Instead, everyone rolls up their sleeves and works on solutions together.
2. Total Accountability
One entity, the design-builder, is accountable for the entire project, including how the end result looks, how much it costs, and how quickly it is completed. When the same group that designs the project also builds the project, much more attention is given to pricing and scheduling in the design phase. The costs of all aspects of the project are taken into account early on in the process; all fees, construction costs, utilities, landscaping allowances, and all other costs are considered.
Unfortunately, it is not unusual to hear about situations in design-bid-build where the cost of the project is twice as much or more than the designer said it would be. Such a scenario is entirely unacceptable in the design-build world. Design-build focuses on results, not excuses.Cost Comparison of Project Delivery Methods
3. Continuity
A design-build firm is involved in the project from start to finish, which adds an inherent efficiency and effectiveness to the process. The chance of items being overlooked is greatly diminished.
4. Expertise
Design-build firms are experts in both fields: design and construction. The principals should be licensed architects with formal architectural training and experience in the architecture field. They should also have professional experience in construction and understand pricing, sequencing, and how buildings come together. Expert design-build firms are knowledgeable of general construction and have strong, lasting partnerships with reliable subcontractors.
There is a tremendous advantage to working with architects who can think like builders and builders who can think like architects, but design-build is a commitment. A firm must be dedicated to the design-build process to ensure high-quality results and 100% customer satisfaction.
5. Professional Guides
We have all heard the stories of design and construction getting out of hand and messy. However, design and construction should not be chaotic or stressful. The design-builder acts as a trusted advisor to owners throughout the construction process, guiding the way to the best possible outcome. Design-build refines a process from beginning to end and manages the chaos into orderly steps.
6. Owner Involvement
Design-build operates under the assumption that the owner actually wants to be an active participant in the design and construction of their building. By being involved in the process, owners can guarantee that their goals will be accomplished and that their wishes will be achieved. Such an involvement gives owners a lasting sense of pride in their building.
7. Collaboration
Design-build cuts out the big egos so common in the design industry. In design-build, the owner retains total control over the project, and the team is there to empower and collaborate with them.
8. Open, Honest, and Frequent Communication
Design-build is transparent because owners understand the process and know what is going on at all times. The best partnerships work not because people say what everyone wants to hear, but because they say what everyone needs to hear. Through clear communication, the budget is defined early on, and it becomes the agreement for the entire project.
9. Time Savings
Design and construction involve managing hundreds of timelines that need to coordinate in lockstep. Design-build creates opportunities for owners to contemplate major decisions, ask questions, and consider their options. Anything the team can do to avoid taking steps backward is going to lead to better, faster, and more cost-effective results. The design-build system is highly adaptive and responsive in the field. Big decisions can be revisited during construction without change orders or additional fees. Although the conventional story is that making changes costs money, that is not necessarily so in design-build.
10. Cost savings
Inherent to the design-build model is a savings of approximately 6% of the project costs. We will save the details for a future post but here is a quick snapshot of the cost savings:
There are several reasons why the design-build delivery method works so well for new construction and major renovation projects, including many others not listed here.
General Construction / Interior Fit-Out
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a General Contractor? Connections to vendors and subcontractors: General contractors can get high-quality products and experienced subcontractors because of their relationships in the industry. Subcontractors and vendors respond well to a general contractor because they’ve most likely worked with them in the past or have been referred to them by previous clients. They’ll have the resources and negotiation skills to provide the best workers and materials for your project. Flexible project planning: A general contractor’s connections with local vendors and subcontractors gives you flexibility in the project implementation. Since they have access to more materials and experts, you can make minor revisions to your project as your ideas are successfully completed. When you work with a design-build contractor, you can also have a more customized layout because they can make changes as they go. Experience in the industry: A general contractor has completed plenty of other construction projects before starting yours. They’re familiar with the factors that could possibly affect established budget and timelines in the course of the implementation and can navigate them accordingly. They can also make sure the finished project is code compliant so you can pass inspection and keep the project moving. Single point of contact: A project of any scale involves many people working together to bring your ideas to life. When you work with an experienced general contractor, you have one communication point to answer your questions. They’ll coordinate with all the subcontractors involved in your project and address any issues that may arise. Constant progress updates: The general contractor oversees your project to let you focus on your other responsibilities. You can still be involved in the design process by checking in with the contractor to ensure everything goes according to plan. The contractor will be honest about the timeline and any unforeseen circumstances that may delay your project. Since they have experience in the industry, they can also navigate these delays to complete the remodeling on time.
Project Management
We lead the project team to achieve the goals given the constraints. We optimize inputs and apply them to meet pre-defined objectives. ​ ​How Teams Benefit: Project management helps deliver great results, but there are benefits to your internal teams as well. 1. Efficiency. Project management makes sure teams stay on track and on time. By making sure projects are running smoothly, teams can focus their efforts on the product instead of the process. 2. Growth and development. Managing a project while also working on it can be difficult. A dedicated project manager gives teams space to concentrate on their work and tackle new challenges. This improves the employee experience, helps staff grow their skills and career, and ultimately reduces employee churn. 3. Higher output. Project managers free up resources by allowing teams to concentrate on their work rather than the logistics of the project. Teams can then use that time to produce more work. How Clients Benefit: Clients benefit from an efficient project management process throughout development. 1. Better deliverables. Delivering projects on time and on budget makes for happy clients. And when your team is free to do their best work, clients get the best possible products. 2. Simplified communication. Good project management keeps communication lines clear by routing everything through one person. The project manager becomes the liaison between internal teams and external stakeholders. 3. Transparency and accountability. Well-defined goals allow project managers to deliver accurate reports. When you understand the responsibilities and progress of the team, you’re able give clients timely updates on budgets and timelines. How Projects Benefit: There are other ways that the work itself benefits from thoughtful, thorough project management. Everyone involved feels the results of these benefits. 1. Better organization. Outlining your project’s timelines, milestones, and budget mitigates scope creep and keeps teams and projects on track. 2. Increased flexibility. Good planning helps you anticipate issues and deal with problems. Project managers can account for expected and unexpected changes to keep the project running as smoothly as possible.