What happens when the design and build procurement route is chosen?

• A. The contractor or Principal Contractor appointed to undertake the construction work will also take on detailed design work.
• B. The client handles all design details.
• C. The Principal Designer handles all construction design.
• D. Design responsibilities are unaffected by the route.

Answer: (A)

In design and build, the party chosen to carry out the works also takes on the design work. The client appoints a contractor (or a design-build team led by that contractor), and that entity is responsible for developing the detailed design as well as constructing the project. This creates a single point of responsibility for both design and construction, which can speed up delivery and provide cost clarity once the design is settled, but it transfers the design risk from the client to the contractor. That’s why the contractor or Principal Contractor is also responsible for the detailed design.