Viewpoint: So Who Is the Designer In Construction Projects, Anyway?
There are many advantages to using collaborative delivery, building information modeling and prefabrication. By bringing contractors on board earlier in the project, owners are able to compress the schedule, avoid overlap and take advantage of each project member’s strengths. As contractors take on a greater role in a project’s development, many are also accepting an unanticipated design and professional responsibility.
That could invite trouble. Contractors who fail to understand the implications of these blurred responsibilities expose themselves to unintended and potentially significant liabilities.