Hurrah! Now that you’ve decided on building a custom home, it’s time to figure out the procurement method for your big landed property project that would best suit your needs.
Typically, a procurement would mean the process of acquiring or obtaining a service or commodity. With that said, when it comes to the construction industry, a procurement method signifies the type of contract system employed for the execution of the project.
During the planning stage of any building project that involves construction, renovation, or development, the client will have to select a contract system that would be most fitting to his or her requirements. This also means appointing a project leader or industry expert for the construction work that’s about to be carried out.
While there are many procurement methods out there, we will be comparing two popular contract systems within this article: the design and build contract, and a traditional contract.
The design and build contract
For the design and build contract, a contractor or a company is put in charge of the entire project, including all of the duties, risks, and management of both the design and build stages.
Think of this contract as a one-stop shop with one dedicated point of contact equipped with the right capabilities and resources to undertake the project and deliver it as per the client’s expectations.
Typically, the contractor or company assigned would have access to a large internal team of professionals required for every stage of the project. Alternatively, there will most likely be a solid partnership involved with other consultants or vendors to get the job done.
With this contract, the contractor comes up with a design outline complete with the cost and timeline from the onset. As the client, you will then be able to finetune the design details alongside your contractor, with the cost and timeline adjusted accordingly prior to starting on the project.
A traditional contract
On the other hand, a traditional contract involves an entire team of individual professionals, such as architects and other technical consultants. This means that the client will have to deal with multiple parties and agents within the team to see the project through.
In a typical project with a traditional contract, the design team interprets the client’s vision and conceptualises the design while overseeing the contractors adherence to the execution of the final outcome.
Besides that, there will be a main contractor as well as specialist subcontractors involved in the process. The main architect will be in charge of processing all payments and certifying milestones on the client’s behalf, and the project team will serve in the interest of the client.
Design and build contract vs. traditional contract
Design and build combines design and construction under a single contractor. The traditional contract separates these roles, which may cause divided responsibilities. Design and build streamlines decision-making, because the same team handles planning and execution.
Singapore uses design and build to save time. This model reduces delays because the design team can address changes quickly. This benefit gives projects a faster turnaround than traditional procurement.
Design and build can also promote better communication. A shared goal across design and construction teams fosters cooperation. This shared focus can reduce disputes and produce clearer progress updates. Traditional contracts might involve separate consultants and contractors, which may increase administrative workload.
Another advantage involves cost certainty. The budget remains clear from the start in many design and build contracts. This transparency can reduce financial surprises. Traditional contracts may allow cost variations due to changes during the process.
However, design and build contract has a slight disadvantage in some cases. Some clients believe they lose direct control over specific design decisions. This concern arises because the contractor holds more authority. Yet many appreciate the efficiency of delegating final design decisions to one party.
An insightful point involves market conditions in Singapore. Skilled contractors may offer competitive rates, which can offset higher costs. These firms have strong local networks for materials and labour. This advantage lowers risks tied to resource shortages or price spikes.
Another factor relates to flexibility. Design and build can adapt to feedback faster. Users or stakeholders might prefer incremental refinements. The single-contract structure makes these adjustments smoother than in a traditional setup.
Singapore’s government encourages innovative solutions. Design and build supports creative approaches by unifying design and construction teams. This synergy can spark fresh ideas, improving project quality.
Reasons the Monomer Building Systemâ„¢ is a better alternative
As design and build experts, Inplex has developed its proprietary Monomer Building Systemâ„¢ that extends innovative design and build services for self-builders who are looking to have more autonomy over their design and build project.
Not only is it more cost-effective, our Monomer Building System™ that leverages a modular system supersedes a regular design and build contract as it guarantees a higher quality build and more satisfactory outcome that is value-added and holistically progressive in regards to sustainability.
Segregated into Monomer Design and Monomer Build, the former allows you to customise your dream home, all the way from the floor plan right up to the overarching look of your home.
The Monomer Design process begins with our advanced mapping tool. Once you key in the postal code for your land, our system automatically generates recommendations on the building type that best suits the plot of land based on the data we gather.
Subsequently, you will be able to select from our catalogue of design-ready homes by award-winning architects. Alternatively, you may also customise your floor plan based on your plot size and planning control parameters directly via our Monomer Design system.
Now, all there is left to do for the design process is to define your building dimensions in order to obtain an estimated cost for your build. The build process will then begin once you’ve placed a deposit.
Once your design is finalised, the build process starts with us obtaining the necessary permits for your project. While that happens, our specialised team will get your site prepared for the build as required. This can include water supply and foundational groundworks.
Based on the design that you have chosen, we will also begin with the prefabrication of the modules that will make up your new home. Once the site and modules are ready, the modules will be delivered to the site and installed accordingly.
As the installation progresses, there will be constant inspections carried out by both the authorities and you as the client. Once all the inspections are complete and the build is finally validated, we will proceed with the handover whereby you will then be ready to move into your new home.
Interested in owning or rebuilding a landed property and can’t decide on your procurement method? Learn more about building a custom home with Inplex or book a consultation with us.
