Our Expertise
Your Collaborative Partner for Project Success
Kokolakis’ DBIA-certified team understands how to leverage the design-build model to deliver maximum value for your project.
We serve as an integrated member of your team from the earliest stage of project development, working collaboratively with your design partners to align scope, cost, and delivery schedule. Our involvement from an early phase helps manage risk and position your project for success.
Contact UsOur Service Promise
The Benefits of Design-Build
While traditional delivery methods prioritize lowest cost bid, design-build maximizes value, assembling the most qualified team to deliver maximum value.
Single Contract, Unified Team
One entity is responsible for both design and construction which simplifies ownership’s role — just one contract and one team to work with.
Faster Project Delivery
Integrated, collaborative design and construction help ensure milestones are met and keep projects moving forward on a more efficient schedule.
Greater Predictability
When design and construction teams align early, they make informed decisions that help minimize the need for field modifications during building.
Increased Innovation
Contractors contribute constructibility and material insights early, resulting in more creative solutions, value engineering, and efficiency.
Expertise Highlights
Design-Build Experts
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Progressive Design-Build
Ideal for: Complex, evolving, or highly specialized projects where scope and solutions need to be developed collaboratively, such as waste and recycling facilities, public safety facilities, or complex industrial projects with significant technical unknowns.
Benefit: Because the owner selects the team based on qualifications, they can expect strong expertise from day one.
Precon Phase: The owner and design-build team work closely to refine the design, budget, and schedule, ultimately negotiating a GMP or lump sum with far fewer surprises.
Construction Phase: The same team delivers the final design and construction. Owners can expect a streamlined process, early innovation, and a high degree of control before pricing is finalized.
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Design-Build to Budget (GMP or Lump Sum)
Ideal for: Projects with defined scopes, in which overall cost certainty is the highest priority. This approach is ideal when design requirements are clear and there’s little to no budget flexibility.
Benefit: The design-build team works together at the earliest phase to reach an agreed-upon budget. This helps provide financial predictability while still allowing for refinement of design details through construction.
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Competitive Design-Build (Two-Step Selection Process)
Ideal for: Project owners who want greater ability to evaluate multiple teams before making a final selection. The process typically starts with a qualifications review, followed by proposal development from shortlisted teams.
Benefit: This delivery method allows owners to directly compare relevant experience, qualifications, and two proposed approaches before selecting their construction team. This unique method provides greater confidence that the team they choose is the right fit for their goals.
Our Work
Design-Build Projects
Kokolakis has been on the forefront of the design-build model for decades, leveraging early involvement to maximize value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Design-Build FAQs
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Why is design-build becoming the new standard?
Clients are realizing the advantages of the design-build delivery method: shorter timelines, greater collaboration, less disputes / claims, and the cost savings associated with all of those advantages.
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How does design-build allow for more innovation?
By having the construction manager at the table during the design phase, you access a deep well of expertise and a trusted network of subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants at the earliest stages of the project. Early input from industry experts produces more innovative solutions.
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How does design-build give owners more control?
The owner can monitor design and price development as design submissions are shared, offering more opportunities to provide input. Over-the-shoulder reviews allow for more collaborative discussions and faster decision-making.
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How does a DBIA certification differentiate Kokolakis?
DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) is the only design-build certifying entity in the construction industry. Many of our team members are individually certified and study the Design-Build Done Right® Best Practices as outlined by the DBIA. The value in obtaining this certification differentiates our management teams, enabling them to focus on both outcomes AND relationships.
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What does collaboration look like in design-build?
It begins by listening and understanding the client’s goals. We then collaborate with the design team at each phase of the design by performing constructibility reviews, quality checks, and ensuring budget adherence. Understanding the project requirements and client’s goals allow us to integrate the construction team early and apply value engineering without compromising project outcomes.