When planning a new dealership or renovation, choosing the right project delivery method is crucial. Two common approaches are Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build.
At The Redmond Company, we understand that automotive dealership projects demand more than good design or efficient construction alone. They require a fully integrated approach that balances manufacturer brand standards, speed to market, operational continuity, and long-term performance. One of the most important early decisions a dealership owner can make is selecting the right project delivery method.
Two of the most common approaches—Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build—differ significantly in how teams collaborate, manage risk, and control cost and schedule. Based on our decades of experience delivering dealership facilities nationwide, the delivery method can be the difference between a smooth, predictable project and one filled with avoidable challenges.
The Redmond Design-Build Advantage
At The Redmond Company, our design-build delivery model brings design and construction together under one contract, one team, and one shared goal: delivering a high-performing dealership with fewer surprises.
By engaging Redmond early, dealership owners benefit from:
- Single-point accountability for design, budget, and construction
- Early cost certainty informed by real construction data
- Accelerated schedules through overlapping design and construction phases
- Proactive problem-solving that reduces change orders and risk
Because our designers, engineers, and builders work as one integrated team, we can align design decisions with budget and constructability from day one—particularly important in facilities with specialized equipment, complex service layouts, and strict manufacturer image standards.
The Design-Bid-Build Model
Design-Bid-Build is the traditional delivery method in commercial construction. In this approach, the owner contracts separately with a design firm and a construction contractor.
The typical process includes:
- Hiring an architect to complete the design
- Bidding the finished drawings to contractors
- Selecting a contractor—often based on lowest price—and proceeding with construction
While familiar, this process can be challenging for automotive dealerships. Without construction input during design, budgets are often based on assumptions rather than real-time market conditions. When bids exceed expectations, redesigns, delays, and scope reductions are common. During construction, unforeseen conditions frequently result in change orders, increasing cost and placing additional responsibility on the owner.
Built for the Realities of Dealership Operations
Automotive dealerships are active businesses, not static construction sites. At Redmond, we design-build with this reality in mind. Our approach allows us to carefully plan phasing, maintain safe customer and employee access, and minimize disruption to sales and service operations throughout construction.
Design-build also enables us to:
- Integrate Manufacturer brand requirements early in the design process
- Coordinate efficiently with equipment vendors and manufacturers
- Adapt quickly to market or operational changes without delaying the project
- Deliver facilities that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency
Comparing Delivery Methods
| Project Consideration | Design-Bid-Build | Redmond Design-Build |
| Contracts | Separate designer and contractor | One integrated Redmond team |
| Owner Responsibility | Owner manages coordination | Redmond manages the process |
| Budget Control | Determined late | Managed from day one |
| Schedule | Linear and longer | Streamlined and efficient |
| Risk | Higher owner exposure | Reduced and shared |
Our Recommendation
From new dealership construction to complex renovations and expansions, The Redmond Company believes design-build offers the most reliable path forward for automotive dealerships. It provides greater transparency, fewer surprises, and a collaborative process that aligns all stakeholders around shared objectives.
Design-bid-build may be appropriate for certain projects, but for dealerships facing aggressive timelines, evolving manufacturer standards, or the need to remain operational during construction, design-build delivers a higher level of confidence and control.
A True Partnership
At The Redmond Company, design-build is more than a delivery method—it’s a partnership built on accountability, collaboration, and trust. Our integrated approach allows us to focus on what matters most to our dealership clients: protecting their investment, supporting their operations, and delivering facilities that drive long-term success.