The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and we are wonderfully busy with projects all over Western Canada. We've had many questions about the true merit of using the design-build construction delivery method. As your trusted team across Alberta, including Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Calgary general contractors, we thought we'd unpack how this method saves our clients time and money.
When you're investing in a new construction project, you want two things: a streamlined process and an efficient use of your budget. That's exactly where this construction method shines. By bundling the two core components of any build project, design and construction, you eliminate a lot of the typical friction – and a lot of the extra costs.
Here's a closer look at the top five ways design-build construction will help you save time and money.
1. Single Point of Contact
With a traditional construction model, you hire a designer and a contractor separately – and you're often the middleman between them. That back-and-forth can cause delays, snags in communication, and sometimes, unexpected expenses.
Design-build is a simpler way forward. You work with one team from start to finish. That means faster decision-making, fewer surprises, and a more streamlined experience overall. When everyone is on the same page from day one, your project moves forward with fewer bumps along the way.
2. Streamlined Project Timelines
With a traditional build method, you wait for the full design to be finalized before construction even begins. With design-build, those two phases often overlap, which helps work move faster without sacrificing quality.
At SWMW, our teams coordinate closely during design and construction, identifying opportunities to save time at every step. During the permitting or initial groundwork phases, we can also be finalizing other elements behind the scenes, which can shave weeks or even months off your timeline.
3. Real-Time Budget Management
One of the biggest ways design-build protects your investment is through real-time budget tracking. Instead of designing a project first and pricing it later (only to realize it's over budget), the design and estimating teams collaborate from the start.
At SWMW, we build cost discussions into every design milestone. This approach ensures that the plans align with your budget from day one. You'll have visibility into costs at every stage – no costly redesigns or budget increases down the line.
4. Fewer Unexpected Costs
Because design-build teams plan, design, and build together, potential issues are caught much earlier – before they turn into expensive problems.
This proactive approach during pre-construction helps you avoid delays, change orders, and costly last-minute fixes. Better coordination means fewer surprises and better protection for your project's bottom line.
5. Stronger Accountability
In a design-build model, one team is fully responsible for delivering your project on time and on budget. There's no finger-pointing between designer and builder, but just one dedicated partner focused on your success.
At SWMW, we take that responsibility seriously. Our integrated team works together to keep your project on track, troubleshoot proactively, and deliver exactly what we promised on time and on budget.
Connect with SWMW
When you choose a design-build partner like SWMW, you're choosing a smarter, more efficient way to build. Time savings and cost savings aren't just bonuses, they're built into the entire process.
As Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Calgary general contractors with over 45 years of experience, when you partner with us, you're choosing a team committed to your success. We use innovative processes and adopt a client-first mindset.
Use our handy online quote request tool or fill out our convenient contact form and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible!
Get in touch with the SWMW team for an unmatched customer experience and efficient and timely project execution. We'll help bring your project to life!