GONZALES CONSTRUCTION CO.
818-758-2490
Request Consultation
Integrated Project Delivery Since 1960

Design-Build Metal Building Solutions

One team, one contract, complete accountability. Gonzales Construction’s design-build approach integrates design, engineering, procurement, and construction under single-source responsibility, delivering your metal building project faster, more efficiently, and with fewer coordination challenges than traditional delivery methods.
  • Single-Source Accountability
  • Four Generations of Expertise
  • Manufacturer-Certified Installation
Discuss Your Project

Or call 818-758-2490

Since 1960

Delivering integrated design-build metal building solutions

30–50%

Faster project delivery compared to traditional design-bid-build methods

15-25%

Typical cost savings versus conventional construction approaches

One Team

Single point of responsibility from concept through project closeout

What is Design-Build Delivery?

Design-build is an integrated project delivery method that consolidates design and construction services under a single contract. Rather than managing separate agreements with architects, engineers, and contractors, you partner with one team that assumes responsibility for the entire project, from initial concept through final closeout.

Traditional Delivery vs. Design-Build

In traditional design-bid-build delivery, owners first hire design professionals to create construction documents, then solicit bids from contractors to build from those documents. This sequential process extends timelines and creates inherent tension between designers and builders who have no contractual relationship with each other. Design-build eliminates this fragmentation. Your design-build partner coordinates all disciplines internally, aligning design decisions with construction realities from day one. The result is faster delivery, fewer change orders, reduced costs, and a single point of accountability for project success

Why Design-Build Works for Metal Buildings

Pre-engineered metal buildings are particularly well-suited to design-build delivery. The building systems are designed and manufactured as integrated components, making coordination between design and construction essential. When one team manages both functions, the building design optimizes manufacturability, erection efficiency, and long-term performance.

Benefits of Design-Build Delivery

Design-build delivery offers significant advantages for owners, general contractors, and project stakeholders. These benefits compound throughout the project lifecycle, from early planning through long-term facility operation.

One Contract, One Team, One Responsibility

With design-build, there is no ambiguity about responsibility. One team owns the outcome. If issues arise, you have a single point of contact empowered to resolve them. This accountability structure eliminates finger-pointing between designers and contractors and ensures problems are addressed rather than debated.

Faster Path from Concept to Completion

Design-build allows construction activities to begin before design is fully complete. Foundation work can proceed while building design is finalized. Material procurement can start as soon as critical dimensions are established. This overlapping of phases, known as fast-tracking, typically reduces overall project duration by 30–50% compared to traditional sequential delivery.

Predictable Budgets with Built-In Value Engineering

Because the design-build team controls both design and construction, they can make cost-informed decisions throughout the design process. Value engineering happens continuously rather than as a painful exercise after bids come in over budget. Design-build projects typically achieve 15–25% cost savings compared to conventional construction while delivering equal or better quality.

Fewer Surprises, Fewer Disputes

Traditional delivery often produces change orders when construction reveals design issues or when contractors identify more efficient approaches. In design-build, these discoveries happen during design development when changes cost nothing. The result is dramatically fewer change orders during construction and more predictable project outcomes.

Direct Access, Faster Decisions

Design-build simplifies project communication. Instead of routing questions through multiple parties, you communicate directly with a team that has authority to make decisions. RFIs are resolved faster. Design clarifications happen in hours rather than weeks. This efficiency keeps projects moving and reduces administrative burden for all stakeholders.

Design and Construction Aligned for Performance

When designers and builders work as one team, design decisions account for construction realities, and construction teams understand design intent. This integration produces buildings that perform as intended, with details that are buildable and systems that work together. Quality is designed in, not inspected in.

Our Design-Build Process

Gonzales Construction’s design-build process is structured to maximize the benefits of integrated delivery while maintaining clear milestones and decision points. Each phase builds on the previous, with continuous collaboration between our design, engineering, and construction teams

Understanding Your Requirements

Every successful project begins with a thorough understanding of your needs. We meet with your team to discuss operational requirements, workflow patterns, future expansion plans, budget parameters, and schedule constraints. This discovery process ensures the building we design actually serves your business objectives.

  • Facility requirements analysis and space programming
  • Site evaluation and constraints assessment
  • Budget and schedule target establishment
  • Regulatory and code requirements identification

Developing Your Solution

Using insights from discovery, our team develops preliminary design concepts that address your requirements within budget constraints. We use American Buildings Company’s TALON software to model options and evaluate cost implications of design decisions in real time.

  • Conceptual floor plans and building configurations
  • 3D visualization using Building Information Modeling (BIM)
  • Preliminary cost estimates for design alternatives
  • Value engineering to optimize cost and performance

Refining the Design

Once you approve the preliminary design direction, we develop detailed construction documents. Our engineering team, working with registered professional engineers, prepares structural calculations, connection details, and building system specifications tailored to your site conditions and code requirements.

  • Detailed architectural and structural drawings
  • Structural engineering by registered professional engineers
  • MEP coordination with building systems
  • Final cost confirmation and contract development

Preparing for Construction

We manage the permitting process, personally walking plans through Building Department Plan Check to expedite approvals. Simultaneously, we procure building materials and coordinate manufacturing schedules to align delivery with construction sequencing.

  • Building permit application and plan check management
  • Building system manufacturing coordination
  • Subcontractor procurement and scheduling
  • Construction schedule finalization using Primavera

Building Your Facility

Construction proceeds under the supervision of our experienced project managers. With dedicated personnel on site, we ensure work aligns with design intent, meets quality standards, and stays on schedule. Our manufacturer-certified installation crews ensure proper assembly of building systems.

  • On-site project management and supervision
  • Quality assurance and inspection coordination
  • Schedule management and progress reporting
  • Safety program implementation

Delivering Your Building

Project completion includes thorough documentation, system commissioning, and warranty coordination. We provide complete as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and ensure all building systems perform as designed before turning over the keys.

  • Final inspections and certificate of occupancy
  • As-built documentation and O&M manuals
  • Warranty documentation and registration
  • Owner training on building systems

Design Capabilities

Our design capabilities combine in-house expertise with strategic partnerships to deliver buildings that meet your functional requirements, aesthetic goals, and budget parameters.

Custom Building Design

Every building we design is tailored to your specific requirements. We work directly with owners, collaborate with your architect, or engage our design partners to create facilities that support your operations, accommodate future growth, and reflect your organizational identity.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

We use BIM technology to create detailed 3D models that allow you to visualize your building before construction begins. These models facilitate coordination between building systems, identify potential conflicts early, and provide accurate material quantities for cost control.

Structural Engineering

All structural design is certified by registered professional engineers licensed in California and applicable jurisdictions. Our engineering approach accounts for seismic requirements, wind loads, crane systems, and specialized equipment loads specific to your application.

Architectural Flexibility

Modern metal buildings accommodate virtually any architectural style. Our rigid frame designs integrate with tilt-up concrete, masonry, precast panels, curtain wall systems, and varied exterior finishes. The result is a building that meets your aesthetic requirements while delivering the performance advantages of pre-engineered construction.

Authorized Builder

American Buildings Company Partnership

As an authorized builder for American Buildings Company, a NUCOR company, we provide direct access to manufacturer engineering support, factory-certified installation methods, and comprehensive warranty coverage. This partnership ensures your building is designed, manufactured, and installed to the highest industry standards.

Ideal Applications for Design-Build

Design-build delivery is particularly effective for projects where schedule, cost certainty, and streamlined communication are priorities. The following applications benefit most from integrated project delivery.

Commercial and Industrial Facilities

Custom engineering by registered professionals with BIM integration available. We work directly with owners, collaborate with your architect, or bring in our design partners to create the perfect facility for your needs.

Aviation and Transportation

Aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities, and transportation terminals require specialized design expertise. Our experience with large clear spans, high eave heights, and specialized door systems makes design-build the efficient choice for aviation projects.

Warehouse and Distribution

Distribution centers and warehouse facilities demand efficient layouts, appropriate clear heights, and loading dock configurations that optimize operations. Design-build allows us to integrate these requirements from the earliest design stages.

Agricultural Buildings

Equipment storage, livestock facilities, and processing buildings benefit from design-build's cost efficiency and schedule advantages. We understand agricultural operations and design buildings that serve your specific requirements.

Fast-Track Projects

When schedule is critical, design-build's ability to overlap design and construction phases delivers buildings faster than any other delivery method. If you need to be operational by a specific date, design-build provides the most reliable path to that goal.

Get Your Free Metal Building Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our design-build services and project delivery approach.

Design-build typically uses either a fixed-price contract established after preliminary design, or a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) that caps your exposure while allowing sharing of any savings. Both approaches provide cost certainty that traditional design-bid-build cannot match because the design-build team controls both design decisions and construction costs.
We collaborate effectively with existing design teams. Your architect can remain involved throughout the project, with our team providing constructability input, cost feedback, and metal building system expertise. This partnership approach combines your designer’s vision with our construction knowledge.
Owner involvement is highest during the discovery and preliminary design phases when we need your input on requirements and preferences. Once design direction is established, we handle the details while keeping you informed through regular progress updates. You remain in control of key decisions without being burdened by day-to-day coordination.
Design-build is particularly well-suited to complex projects. The integrated team structure allows real-time problem-solving as design challenges emerge. For custom applications with unique requirements, having designers and builders working together from day one produces better solutions than the sequential traditional approach.

We maintain a California Class B General Contractor license, Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification, and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. All structural design is certified by registered professional engineers. As an authorized American Buildings Company builder, our installation crews are manufacturer-certified.

While design-build significantly reduces changes, we recognize that some modifications are inevitable as projects evolve. We evaluate change requests promptly, provide cost and schedule impact assessments, and implement approved changes efficiently. Our integrated team structure means changes are coordinated across design and construction simultaneously.