JCT Design and Build Contract
The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Design and Build Contract (DB) is intended for use on construction projects following the design and build procurement route. This involves appointing a main contractor to design (or complete the design) of the project and then to go on and construct it. This is as opposed to the traditional procurement route in which the client appoints consultants to design the project and then a contractor is appointed to construct it.
Design and build gives a single point of responsibility for delivering the entire project, and can help ensure good buildability, cost control and speed. Some clients however, consider it is only appropriate for simple projects, where retaining control over the design is not the main priority.
The scale and complexity of design and build projects can vary considerably, but the DB contract is generally suitable for projects where a detailed agreement is required, making provision for collaborative working, sustainability, advance payment, third party rights, bonds, collateral warranties and so on.
The 2016 edition of the contract includes the following documents:
- Design and Build contract guide (DB/G).
- Design and Build sub-contract agreement (DBSub/A).
- Design and Build sub-contract conditions (DBSub/C).
- Short form of sub-contract (ShortSub): For small-scale subcontract works that are simple and involve low risk.
- Sub-subcontract (SubSub).
- Design and Build sub-contract guide (DBSub/G).
- Design and Build contract (DB) Tracked Change Document: Highlights the changes between the DB 2011 and 2016 editions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Construction contract.
- Construction management contract.
- Design and build.
- Design and build - pros and cons.
- Intermediate building contract.
- JCT.
- JCT minor works building contract.
- JCT Sub-subcontract.
- Major project construction contract.
- Management Building Contract.
- Prime cost contract.
- Standard Building Contract.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.























Comments
If the design build contractor is the actual designer and is responsible to procure the materials but not required to build. Can he change the material prices after signing the contract
What does the contract say - does it allow them to change prices? eg are fluctuations allowed?