Utah Contractor Practice Exam

What does a design/build contract typically include?

1. Only construction responsibilities

2. Only design responsibilities

3. Design and construction under one contract

4. Separate contracts for design and construction

The correct answer is: Design and construction under one contract

A design/build contract typically encompasses both design and construction responsibilities under a single contract. This arrangement streamlines both phases of a project, allowing for improved communication and collaboration between the design and construction teams. By having a unified contract, the owner can benefit from a more integrated approach, where the design phase is informed by construction realities, potentially leading to cost savings, reduced timelines, and fewer disputes. This structure contrasts with other options that suggest limitations—such as only addressing construction or design responsibilities individually or employing separate contracts for each phase, which could lead to disconnection between the design and the construction processes and complicate management and execution of the project. Such separation can often result in increased costs and potential finger-pointing if issues arise between designers and builders. Therefore, the cohesion offered by a design/build contract is advantageous in many construction scenarios.