ABSTRACT
Parking garage construction can be implemented in a variety of ways. The selection of a project delivery method is a critically important decision that defines the relationships between the owner, designer, and contractor. Selecting the best delivery is a cornerstone to a successful project. The decision will affect the project budget, schedule, quality, and the amount of time that will be required to build. The three primary methods of project delivery are design/bid/build, design/build, and construction management at risk. Owners and stakeholders should carefully study the risks, costs, and benefits associated with each project delivery method in the context of the project under consideration and select the project delivery method that best suits legal, technical, business environment, and staff experience. Project team members should be educated on all forms of project delivery. Often, issues arise from a lack of experience with a specific delivery method, and just because a firm is a tenured consultant or contractor doesn’t make them an expert in design/build.
