What is the primary characteristic of the Design-Bid-Build delivery method?

The primary characteristic of the Design-Bid-Build delivery method is that the owner holds separate contracts for design and construction. In this traditional method, the project is executed in three distinct phases: first, the design phase where an architect or engineer creates the project plans; second, the bidding phase where contractors submit proposals based on those plans; and third, the construction phase once a contractor is selected through the bidding process. This separation allows the owner to select a contractor after the design is complete, providing clear distinctions in project responsibility and facilitating competitive bidding among contractors.

This method fosters a straightforward project framework where the responsibilities for design and construction are not intermixed, ensuring that the owner is clear on what each party is accountable for. Holding separate contracts means that if any issues arise during construction, they can more readily be addressed without involving both parties, as each has its own scope of work established in their respective contracts. This separation can help to mitigate risks for the owner, as any liability for design errors typically rests with the designer, while construction-related issues are the contractor's responsibility.

In contrast, other delivery methods, such as Design-Build, involve a single contract that covers both design and construction, which differs fundamentally from the Design-Bid-Build approach.