In which approach is the contractor involved early in the design process for better cost assessment?

The approach where the contractor is involved early in the design process for better cost assessment is Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). This delivery method allows for the contractor to provide input during the design phase, which helps in identifying potential cost implications and construction challenges early on. By collaborating with the design team from the outset, the contractor can offer valuable insights regarding material selection, construction methods, and scheduling that contribute to more accurate cost estimates.

In CMAR, the contractor assumes a risk management role, which means they are financially accountable for delivering the project within a guaranteed maximum price. Their early engagement ensures that cost data is consistently assessed against design choices, leading to more informed decision-making and potentially avoiding issues that could arise from later cost revisions.

This contrasts with other methods like Design-Bid-Build, where the contractor typically comes on board only after the design is complete, limiting their ability to influence costs early. Similarly, Multiple Prime Contracting involves various contractors working on separate aspects without pre-construction collaboration on cost analysis. Integrated Project Delivery focuses on collaboration among all stakeholders but may not consistently emphasize the contractor's role in cost assessment as it does in CMAR. Therefore, the unique advantage of CMAR lies in the contractor's proactive involvement during the design phase to