In the 'General contracting' model, the client first concludes a contract with the designer/architect to draw up the project and draw up the tender documents. Subsequently, the client and the architect request quotations from various general contractors. These price quotations are drawn up on the basis of the tender documents drawn up, containing all relevant project information. The client then selects the contractor with the lowest bid or after further negotiations. In this working method, the client has very little input into the process and the selection of specialized contractors or suppliers. 

Benefits and insights:

1. The operation of a Design-Bid-Build project has few advantages over other forms of collaboration. With the exception of projects where the client (e.g. a public body) is legally obliged to contract services using this method (public tenders), and projects where the client is highly experienced, skilled and skilled in contracting construction services.

2. In this form of project delivery, it is very important that the client provides a clear and concise description of the project to the designers, who in turn develop well-documented and coordinated construction documents for the bidders.

3. The "Design-Bid-Build" model is most successful when the project team demonstrates excellent communication skills and well-coordinated contract documents. This form of cooperation also benefits from a pre-qualified, selected list of bidding contractors who have expertise.

4. The client takes more risks with this form of project delivery, especially when there is a large pool of contractors bidding.