The Design-Build Difference: Moving Beyond Traditional Construction Methods

The traditional design-bid-build method (often called plan-and-spec) remains the default for many projects: hire an architect, collect contractor bids, and choose one to build the facility. While familiar, this linear process frequently results in inefficiencies, budget overruns, and schedule delays. ARCO National Construction offers an alternative: a design-build delivery method that integrates design, budgeting, and construction from the outset to deliver tailored, cost-effective solutions.

Owners who shift to ARCO’s design-build approach gain clear advantages in cost, operations, and scheduling. Our integrated team streamlines decision-making by prioritizing constructability and cost-efficiency, reducing the need for costly redesigns and change orders. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach and bidding drawings as is, we customize every facility to the client’s operational needs, leveraging early subcontractor input to optimize layouts and structural systems. We also provide firm lump-sum pricing early in the process, giving owners cost certainty as long as the project scope remains unchanged.

Many owners come to ARCO after encountering the limitations of traditional delivery methods. Our design-build approach consistently delivers greater value in cost, efficiency, and speed – regardless of industry, complexity, or scale. From cold storage and food and beverage facilities to distribution, manufacturing, and commercial facilities, our case studies demonstrate how design-build delivers superior outcomes for all projects.

Initial Challenges with Traditional Construction

Prior to choosing ARCO, the cold storage user engaged a development manager to oversee the entitlement and design process. The resulting plan called for a new cold storage facility with a hybrid roof structure and “box-in-a-box” cold rooms. While achievable, the plan did not present the best possible solution.

The Design-Build Alternative

When ARCO was invited to provide pricing, we declined to bid the existing drawings and instead proposed a fully integrated design-build solution tailored specifically for cold storage needs.

ARCO’s team developed a purpose-built design that included a metal deck with an open roof structure in the cold storage areas. The revised plan featured insulated tilt-up wall construction, upgraded roof insulation, and the use of insulated metal panels (IMPs) installed through the deck using double beams to maximize both cost and operational efficiency. The redesign also increased the top-of-product clear height from 35.5 feet to 40 feet, enabling the client to store an additional row of pallets.

Key advantages of ARCO’s design-build approach included:

– Lower total cost compared to all other bidders
– A purpose-built facility that increased overall capacity
– A proposed accelerated schedule to complete the project two months faster than other bidders

ARCO was ultimately awarded the project because our solution provided lower overall costs, increased operational capacity, and a shorter construction schedule.

Initial Challenges with Traditional Construction

When Heart of America Beverage needed a new facility, they initially enlisted an architect for traditional plans and specifications delivery. However, after receiving budget costs far greater than anticipated, they engaged ARCO for a design-build solution.

ARCO’s Design-Build Alternative

ARCO worked with Heart of America to carefully think through strategic design decisions to develop a facility that met the needs of their business and their budget. Ultimately, ARCO developed a design that was not only more functional than the original plans but significantly less expensive.

Strategic collaboration during the early design phase resulted in an optimized layout that included over 130,000 square feet of distribution space, as well as a maintenance area and office space. The ARCO team also incorporated high-efficiency systems and temperature-controlled zones to accommodate Heart of America Beverage’s diverse product line.

Key advantages of ARCO’s design-build approach included:

– A more efficient design that met Heart of America’s specific operational needs
– Significantly lower overall costs
– Construction completed on schedule without any delays

Ultimately, ARCO delivered a distribution facility that supports Heart of America Beverage’s long-term growth and operational excellence, all while reducing risk, time, and cost.

Initial Challenges with Traditional Construction

Before partnering with ARCO, Hunt Advantage Group, a Hunt Brothers Pizza Company, worked with a traditional plans-and-specifications contractor, spending over a year on plans without firm pricing. This caused significant upfront costs and delayed construction.

ARCO’s Design-Build Alternative

After meeting ARCO’s team at a tradeshow, Hunt Advantage Group decided to pivot to ARCO’s design-build approach, a move that significantly improved the project’s direction.

One of the major advantages of working with ARCO was the ability to start quickly. ARCO provided no-cost preliminary designs along with a lump sum price, enabling an immediate construction start without the uncertainty of fluctuating estimates. Our team also delivered strategic cost savings by reassessing the site and facility design. Additional geotechnical testing revealed rock challenges at the original location; relocating the facility eliminated unnecessary site work and foundation expenses. Further efficiencies were achieved by redesigning the facility from a two-story to a single-story layout, resulting in major refrigeration cost reductions.

Key benefits of ARCO’s design-build model included:

– Upfront, guaranteed pricing and no-cost preliminary design
– Optimized site selection and facility layout for significant cost savings
– Integrated design, budgeting, and construction for reduced risk and faster delivery

Ultimately, ARCO delivered a 50,000-square-foot cold storage facility and office space that met Hunt Advantage Group’s needs with a more cost-effective, efficient, and streamlined construction process.

In today’s competitive environment, the success of a project depends on more than just getting a building completed – it depends on delivering the right solution, at the right cost, and on the right timeline. ARCO’s design-build approach empowers owners to achieve that by integrating design and construction into one seamless process. The result is greater cost certainty, faster delivery, and facilities that are truly built around business needs.