Design-Build Contract Lawyer
in Houston, TX.
Clear legal guidance for complex construction delivery models.
Design-Build contracts combine design and construction services under one roof—one contract (i.e., design-build agreement, or DBA), one point of responsibility, and one entity accountable for delivering a completed project. Done right, Design-Build can reduce risk, accelerate timelines, and foster innovation. But only if the contract reflects the realities of the project, the players, and the risk allocation.
At Elkhoury Law, I help owners, contractors, and design-build teams navigate this integrated delivery model—from upfront negotiations to final completion, and the occasional dispute along the way.
Design-Build Construction in Houston and Harris County Areas
As Houston’s commercial real estate and infrastructure sectors expand with ongoing year-over-year growth, design-build is becoming the delivery method of choice for many developers, owners, and contractors. Houston’s fast pace, limited workforce availability, and evolving building codes make design-build appealing—it compresses timelines, reduces procurement headaches, and creates a single point of responsibility.
However, the legal and risk landscape is more complex. Design-build agreements must clearly define scope boundaries, integrate professional liability protection, and allocate risk between the design and construction phases—especially when public funding is involved. Public owners must also comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 2269, which governs design-build procurement for government entities.
At Elkhoury Law, I work with Houston-area developers, commercial contractors, and design professionals to:
Draft and negotiate legally sound design-build agreements;
Manage and mitigate risk, including change management, during the project; and
Resolve disputes over scope creep, schedule delays, and construction/design liability.
Whether you're building a medical office, reconfiguring industrial space, or working on a public-sector redevelopment, I offer the legal experience you need to keep your Houston design-build project moving forward.
What is a Design-Build Agreement (DBA)?
A Design-Build Agreement, or DBA, unifies design and construction under a single contract. Instead of separate agreements with an architect and a builder, the owner contracts with a single Design-Builder, who may self-perform or subcontract one or both functions.
This model offers:
Faster delivery by overlapping design and construction phases;
Simplified coordination and fewer disputes over design intent; and
Clearer accountability—but only if the contract balances control and risk.
Design-Build is increasingly common in:
Commercial construction;
Industrial and infrastructure projects; and
Public works and P3s.
But without strong legal guidance, this streamlined model can turn into a liability finger-pointing contest.
How Elkhoury Law Supports Design-Build Projects
You bring the vision. I’ll help make sure the contract supports it.
Contract Drafting & Negotiation
Drafting and negotiating custom Design-Build Agreements based on project type, size, and delivery goals
Addressing:
Design responsibilities and performance standards
Approval rights, submittals, and professional liability coverage
Risk-allocation and indemnities
Change management, contingency use, and risk-sharing mechanisms
Flow-down provisions for design consultants and subcontractors
Advising on standard forms (AIA, DBIA) versus custom agreements
Project Execution & Risk Management
Advising throughout project delivery—early design, progressive build-out, and commissioning
Helping resolve scope overlap between design and construction teams
Supporting documentation practices and notice compliance to preserve claims or defenses
Reviewing, preparing, and negotiating change claims or responses to changes
Coordinating with your internal team or project controls consultant
Incident responses
Terminations for cause or convenience
Dispute Resolution
Handling claims involving:
Design errors and omissions
Scope gaps or coordination failures
Delays, disruptions, and defective work
Changes and cumulative impact claims
Termination disputes and lien claims
Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, or litigation when collaboration breaks down
Why Work with Elkhoury Law on DBAs?
Design-Build isn’t just about a faster project. It’s about tighter coordination and smart risk allocation—on paper and in the field. I help clients make sure their contracts reflect how the job actually works. With experience on both private and public projects across the country, I translate complex delivery frameworks into clear legal protections.
And if you’ve read my construction law blog, you already know—I’m not afraid to call out bad contract language when I see it.
Serving Construction Professionals
Whether you’re launching a project or responding to an RFQ for a Design-Build job, Elkhoury Law can help draft, negotiate, and enforce a contract that protects your goals from day one.
Texas Construction Law Library & Resources
Contracting & Procurement Laws for Public Construction - Texas Government Code Chapter 2269 - This statute governs certain public works projects, including DBAs, and how they are procured.
Texas Prompt Pay Acts - Texas Property Code Chapter 28 (Private Projects) & Texas Government Code Chapter 2551 (Public Projects) — The laws that govern payment deadlines and interest penalties for private and public construction projects in Texas.
Contingent Payment Laws - Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 56 — Texas’s “pay-if-paid” and “pay-when-paid” laws that affect when and how subcontractors and suppliers can recover payment.
Texas Construction Law Blog - Weekly updates capturing changes and developments in Texas construction law, including new case decisions, statutory amendments, and practical takeaways for contractors, developers, and design professionals.
Contact a
Harris County Construction Lawyer
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