Design–bid–build
The employer arranges the design and then appoints a construction contractor. Design and construction are procured separately, making coordination between them important.
Design–build
One contractor carries responsibility for both design and construction against the employer’s requirements. Clear performance and acceptance criteria remain essential.
EPC
Engineering, procurement and construction are combined within an integrated package. The actual allocation of design, completion and performance risks depends on the agreed terms.
Questions to take into your project
Ask who controls the design, who manages interfaces and how the completed works will be accepted. A delivery label alone does not define every contractual risk.
Further reading
An introductory overview. Project decisions depend on the agreed contract, facility conditions and applicable requirements.