Construction Delivery Methods: A Legal Perspective

In today's construction and project management landscape, selecting the right project delivery method is as consequential as the project's scope, budget, and schedule. This article introduces the principal approaches – Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Construction Manager Advisor, and Construction Manager at Risk – and explains how their differing allocations of risk, control, and collaboration shape project strategy and influence cost and schedule certainty from concept through completion. Understanding these models is essential for tailoring contracts, optimizing team structure, and achieving predictable outcomes across diverse project types.

Design-Bid-Build

In a Design-Bid-Build project, the project owner typically holds two contracts. The first is with an architect or engineer to develop and finalize a complete design with drawings and specifications. The other contract is with the general or prime contractor for the construction of the project based on the design. Both the