What is a disadvantage of the Design Bid Build construction method?

The chosen answer highlights a significant drawback of the Design Bid Build construction method, which is the owner’s liability for design issues. In this traditional method, the owner first hires an architect or designer to create plans and specifications. After finalizing the design, the owner then solicits bids from contractors to execute the construction based on these detailed documents.

If there are errors, omissions, or inadequacies in the design, the owner is typically held responsible for resolving these issues, which can lead to unexpected costs, project delays, and conflicts. This liability stems from the fact that the contractor is not involved in the design process, making it difficult for them to address or make adjustments during the construction phase without the owner’s direction.

As a result, the owner bears the risk of ensuring that the design is complete and accurate before moving to the bidding and construction phases. This contrasts with other methods such as Design-Builder, where the designer and contractor are one entity, reducing the owner's liability for design flaws. The key takeaway is that in Design Bid Build, the division between design and construction can lead to significant risks for the owner related to design shortcomings.