In a design-build project, which two parties have a direct contractual relationship?

In a design-build project, which two parties have a direct contractual relationship?

• A. Contractor and Designer
• B. Owner and Contractor
• C. Owner and Designer
• D. Subcontractor and Designer

Answer: (A)

In design-build, one contract with the owner covers both design and construction, forming an integrated team that must align design intent with buildability. The designer and the contractor are the two players who must coordinate directly to deliver the project, and their relationship is established through the design-builder’s management of the work. They work together to ensure the design can be constructed as intended, and any design changes or constructability issues are resolved collaboratively under the same delivery framework. The owner does not have separate contracts with the designer or the contractor in a pure design-build setup, and subcontractors are engaged under the design-builder’s umbrella rather than through direct contracts between designer and contractor. Hence, the two parties with a direct contractual relationship within a design-build project are the designer and the contractor.

In design-build, one contract with the owner covers both design and construction, forming an integrated team that must align design intent with buildability. The designer and the contractor are the two players who must coordinate directly to deliver the project, and their relationship is established through the design-builder’s management of the work. They work together to ensure the design can be constructed as intended, and any design changes or constructability issues are resolved collaboratively under the same delivery framework. The owner does not have separate contracts with the designer or the contractor in a pure design-build setup, and subcontractors are engaged under the design-builder’s umbrella rather than through direct contracts between designer and contractor. Hence, the two parties with a direct contractual relationship within a design-build project are the designer and the contractor.