Editing Design–build (section)

==Criticisms of design–build==
During the design–build procedure, the contractor is deciding on design issues as well as issues related to cost, profits and time exigencies. Whilst the traditional method of construction procurement dissociates the designers from the contractors' interests, design–build does not. On these grounds it is considered that the design–build procedure is poorly adapted to projects that require complex designs for technical, programmatic or aesthetic purposes. If the designer/architect is 'kept' by the construction company, they probably will never push the envelope as to what might be possible. A notable design–build project that received significant criticism, not only for excessive cost but for environmental issues, was the [[Belmont Learning Center]]. The scandal involved alleged contaminated soil that caused significant delays and massive cost overruns.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SCANDAL+FIGURES+SAY+THEY+FOLLOWED+LAUSD+ORDERS-a083613230] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505025633/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SCANDAL+FIGURES+SAY+THEY+FOLLOWED+LAUSD+ORDERS-a083613230|date=2016-05-05}} Belmont scandal</ref> In Los Angeles, District Attorney Steve Cooley, who investigated the [[Los Angeles Unified School District]]'s Belmont project, produced a final investigative report, released March 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://da.lacounty.gov/pdf/BLC_Final_Report.pdf |title=Final Investigative Report |access-date=2010-11-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527094735/http://da.lacounty.gov/pdf/BLC_Final_Report.pdf |archive-date=2010-05-27 }} Los Angeles DA, Steve Cooley final Investigate report on Belmont</ref> This report concluded that the design–build process caused a number of issues relating to the Belmont scandal:

* Design–build does not make use of competitive bidding where prospective builders bid on the same design.
* Criteria to select contractor are subjective and difficult to evaluate and to justify later.
* The design and price selected arouses public suspicion, true or not.
* This can lead to loss of public confidence.
* The design brief is subject to different interpretations from both the client and contractor, creating a conflict of interest.

It concluded the "design–build" approach and "mixed-use concept" together caused controversy, uncertainty, and complexity of the Belmont project which helped increase the potential for project failure. While the Belmont investigation cleared the [[Los Angeles Unified School District]] of any criminal wrongdoing, the task force recommends strict oversight, including written protocols, a vigorous Office of the Inspector General, and other recommendations if it decides to continue to use the design–build approach. During the period in question, the ex-Superintendent of LAUSD, [[Ramon C. Cortines]], working with the LAUSD Board of Education, whose president is Monica Garcia, actively tried to cut the Office of Inspector General by 75% (compromising on 25%) and subsequently removed the Inspector General Jerry Thornton after he produced critical audits that showed misuse of construction funds.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_12615104?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com] Daily News – LAUSD watchdog office to be cut by 25%</ref>

Others have argued that architect-led design–build still does:<ref name="Dorwin"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.construction.com/toolkit/reports|title=Reports|date=February 8, 2017|website=www.construction.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title="Designer-led Design-Build" by Mark Friedlander, Schiff Hardin|url=http://www.schiffhardin.com/design-build/designer-led.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028015012/http://www.schiffhardin.com/design-build/designer-led.html|archivedate=October 28, 2010}}</ref>
* Typical project management issues (establishing liability, writing contracts, scoping estimates and schedule) or
* Variation across different states' licensing laws or
* Conflict of interest and ethical issues

It also imposes:
* Greater business and [[financial risk]]s associated with architect taking on general contractor responsibilities
* Changes to the way architects do business, so they
** Establish a construction company as a separate corporation that signs a separate construction contract, so they are able to insure and simplify liability insurance coverage
** Either they have, or are able to acquire, the skills of a design–builder
** Recognize the parties' different incentives
** Modify how they prepare Contract Documents, relying more on performance specifications than they do currently, to facilitate substitutions for the benefit of the constructor.