Design-bid-build vs design-build vs construction management
The three most common delivery methods differ in when the builder joins, who carries design risk and how the price is set.
| Aspect | Design-bid-build | Design-build | Construction management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder joins | After design is complete | At the start, as design-builder | During design, as construction manager |
| Contracts for the owner | Designer + general contractor | One design-builder | Designer + CM (+ trades under CM for services) |
| Design risk | Owner (warrants design to contractor) | Design-builder | Owner |
| Price certainty | At tender, on complete design | At contract, on owner requirements (or later in progressive DB) | Builds up package by package |
| Speed | Slowest (sequential) | Faster (overlap) | Faster (fast-track packages) |
| Typical Canadian form | CCDC 2 | CCDC 14; CCDC 32 progressive | CCDC 5A / 5B with CCDC 17 trades |
The practical takeaway
Pick the method by the owner's capacity to manage risk and its need for speed or price certainty, then write information requirements that fit it. IPD (CCDC 30) is the fourth option when the team can share risk and reward.
Full definitions
- Design-bid-build (DBB) — The traditional delivery method in which the owner first has the design completed by consultants, then invites contractors to bid on it, then awards a separate construction contract — usually for a stipulated price.
- Design-build (DB) — A delivery method in which one entity, the design-builder, contracts with the owner to provide both the design and the construction under a single contract.
- Construction management (CM) — A project delivery method in which the owner engages a construction manager early to advise on cost, schedule and constructability during design, and to manage the procurement and execution of the work through trade contracts.
- Integrated project delivery (IPD) — A collaborative delivery approach in which the owner, designers and builder work as one team, usually under a single multi-party agreement, sharing risk and reward according to project outcomes.
Updated October 14, 2026. Sources are listed on each linked definition.