As a fully integrated design-build construction firm, we can pretty much handle any type of project. Perhaps our biggest strength is providing quality construction services for the commercial and industrial industries throughout Arkansas and our surrounding states. We’re also known to prioritize safety as we customize a Project Specific Safety Plan (PSSP) for each project that outlines the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) requirements and guidelines. To learn more about how we could best work together, please see our service descriptions below.
The Design-Build method is what we believe is a win-win for our clients. Getting projects done on time and on budget has always been a priority for owners; however, today’s difficult economic times have made these two challenges more important than ever. Many owners had become dissatisfied with the traditional Design-Bid-Build (low-bid) project delivery method in which price is the only selection criterion. This delivery method has often failed to deliver quality or value, and change orders and claims often lead to added costs and delays.
In the Design-Bid-Build approach, design and construction are split – separate entities, separate contracts, and separate work resulting in limited collaboration between the two critical building processes. Design-Build is an alternative to Design-Bid-Build. Design-Build is a method of project delivery in which ONE entity – the design-build team – works under ONE single contract with the project owner to provide streamlined design and construction services. One entity, contract, and unified workflow from initial concept through completion.
Another benefit to saving money and time is transforming the relationship between designers and builders into an alliance, fostering collaboration and teamwork. Over the past 15 years, the use of design-build has greatly accelerated in the United States, making this delivery method one of the most significant trends in design and construction today, successfully building projects with superior results.
Design-Bid-Build is a time-tested method of construction where completed construction documents are required before setting a price for your project. Typically, the selection of the General Contractor is based on a price derived from competitively bid or negotiated subcontractor bids. The contractor is responsible for construction, schedule, selection of subs and suppliers, and safety. The architect prepares the plans and serves as an agent of the Owner but usually has no construction budget responsibility.
This delivery method is well suited for incomplete or unknown project scopes or extents of work. Typically, a percentage fee is negotiated up front, and then the CM begins to provide valuable services to the owner. The services begin with preconstruction services: advice on project planning, constructibility consulting, and budgeting. Construction Management may also be combined with design-build, and in this case, the design work is also a pre-construction service. Once designs are complete, final pricing for the project is established. As CM during construction, SSI of NWA is responsible for critical supervision, safety, field scheduling, cost controls, value engineering, and administration of construction contracts. Post-construction services include project close-outs and warranty management.
SSI’s foundation in design-build delivery services over the last 50-plus years gives us in-depth knowledge coupled with our skilled project management expertise to bring together the architectural, engineering, and construction disciplines required. The Construction Management delivery method is an outstanding way to fulfill the owner’s requirements while simultaneously saving the owner time and money, as well as instilling confidence that the project will be managed with their best interests as the top priority.