Ethics in the Design-Build Process

This essay, which won one of three zone competitions for the 1999 Daniel W. Mead Prizes for Student Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers, examines the role of ethics in the design-build process. The design-build process allows for a fast track design approach, cutting a possible 4 months off most projects. The process also provides predictable results with a reduction in errors. Low schedule and cost growth accompany this form of construction. However, its opponents claim that the design-build process seeks to meet the schedule and budget only, while leaving quality far behind and dragging into the process the possibility for foul play. The ethics of a design-build company become of utmost importance to the construction process. Where there have previously been checks provided by the architect/engineer, it is now up to the contractor to provide his own system of checks. The industry does not allow for unethical behavior and a design-build company cannot exist as an unethical corporation with any more ease than a traditional form construction corporation. Cutting corners would gain profit for the contractor on one job, but make it unlikely for him to win the following bid and impossible to gain repeat customers. Construction is a high-risk business with possible lawsuits at every job site. Under the traditional form of construction, contractors and design companies find it possible to sidestep blame for most incidents. However, the design-build process eliminates this possibility by providing single-source liability for a job.