_____ establishes cost first.

_____ establishes cost first.

• A. DBB
• B. IPD
• C. CMAR
• D. DB

Answer: (D)

In design-build, cost considerations drive the process from the very start because design and construction responsibilities sit with a single team under one contract. The design-builder is involved during the design phase, providing cost estimates, value-engineering options, and constructability input as design decisions are made. This integrated flow lets the team establish a budget or target cost early and repeatedly refine the design to meet that price, reducing the risk of expensive changes later and delivering clearer cost certainty sooner. This differs from design-bid-build, where cost certainty typically comes after the design is finished and bids are opened, often leading to late changes if the project overruns the budget. While IPD also aims for early cost clarity through collaborative targets, its structure centers on shared risk and a highly integrated team, which is a different approach. CMAR provides cost input during design but the final price or GMP is generally set later in the process.

In design-build, cost considerations drive the process from the very start because design and construction responsibilities sit with a single team under one contract. The design-builder is involved during the design phase, providing cost estimates, value-engineering options, and constructability input as design decisions are made. This integrated flow lets the team establish a budget or target cost early and repeatedly refine the design to meet that price, reducing the risk of expensive changes later and delivering clearer cost certainty sooner.

This differs from design-bid-build, where cost certainty typically comes after the design is finished and bids are opened, often leading to late changes if the project overruns the budget. While IPD also aims for early cost clarity through collaborative targets, its structure centers on shared risk and a highly integrated team, which is a different approach. CMAR provides cost input during design but the final price or GMP is generally set later in the process.