In a Design-Build project, who does the design professional typically work for?

In a Design-Build project, the design professional typically works for the general contractor. This arrangement is fundamental to the Design-Build delivery method, where both design and construction services are combined under one contract. The general contractor takes on the responsibility of both managing the construction process and coordinating the design work, facilitating better communication and collaboration between the design and construction teams.

This structure helps to streamline the project timeline, enhance accountability, and reduce conflicts that can arise when the design and build components are managed by separate entities. By working directly for the general contractor, the design professional is integrated into the project team from the outset, allowing for more efficient decision-making and alignment of project goals.

The options that suggest the design professional works directly for the owner, the subcontractor, or the construction manager do not typically reflect the roles defined in a Design-Build project, as these roles have different dynamics and responsibilities that do not align with the collaborative approach required in this delivery method. Instead, the focus is on a unified team that drives the project forward cohesively.