Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or Design-Tender may be the most familiar project delivery method in construction—but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. With separate design and construction contracts, coordination gaps, and the ever-present threat of finger-pointing, DBB projects demand strong contracts and even stronger legal follow-through.

At Elkhoury Law, I help owners, contractors, and design professionals draft, negotiate, and enforce Design-Bid-Build agreements that keep projects on time, on budget, and out of trouble.

What is Design-Bid-Build or Design-Tender?

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or Design-Tender is the classic, linear, three-phase construction model:

1. The owner hires a designer (architect or engineer) to furnish the design and complete the plans.

2. Once the design is complete or near-complete, the project goes out to bid.

3. The owner selects a contractor—often the lowest responsible bidder—to build the project.

DBB is common in:

• Public infrastructure and schools

• Commercial buildings

• Institutional and healthcare facilities'

It offers cost transparency and competitive pricing—but carries risks in coordination, design clarity, and change management.

How Elkhoury Law Supports DBB Projects

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Drafting and negotiating separate contracts with the designer and the contractor

• Ensuring alignment between design and construction scopes

• Advising on:

  • Bid instructions and evaluation criteria

  • Project delivery milestones

  • Owner’s reps, site access, and inspection rights

  • Change order and RFI procedures

  • Insurance, indemnity, and dispute resolution provisions

Bidding & Procurement Guidance

• Assisting with public and private procurement requirements

• Reviewing bid packages, contractor qualifications, and award documentation

• Advising on bid protests or contractor challenges

Execution Support & Claims Management

• Advising on:

  • Design errors, omissions, and scope gaps

  • Contractor RFIs and change proposals

  • Construction defects and warranty claims

  • Delay claims, liquidated damages, and acceleration demands

• Helping clients document issues to preserve claims or defenses

Dispute Resolution

• Handling disputes involving:

  • Construction defects

  • Delay and disruption

  • Cost overruns and disputed change orders

  • Faulty design or miscoordination

• Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation

Why Work with Elkhoury Law on DBB Projects?

I’ve worked with project owners, architects, and contractors through the full DBB lifecycle—from RFQ to ribbon-cutting to claims. I understand how and where these projects fall apart—and how to build contracts that keep them together. Whether it’s clarifying design intent, tightening bid specs, or enforcing change procedures, I bring legal clarity and construction fluency to every phase of delivery.

Texas-Based, Nationally Informed. Construction-First.

Elkhoury Law provides focused legal counsel to clients across Texas who rely on Design-Bid-Build for public and private construction. If you’re about to bid—or already buried in RFIs—let’s talk.