6 | Synchro Building Corporation
inherent failures in traditional request-for-
bids processes as well as the clashing of inter-
est which can occur between architects and
builders. As Hancock explains, the bidding
process puts a contractor in the position of
relying on evaluations from subcontractors
whose numbers may be intentionally under-
valued in hope of securing the contract. Cost
increases likely become evident during the
course of the project, forcing the contractor
to seek quality reductions to offset the costs,
further what Hancock describes as a lose-
lose situation for the project owner and all
involved. “The architect gets angry because
he isn’t seeing the quality he expected. The
contractor is angry because he has to make-
up the costs. Problems end-up causing delays
and the project owner is the one who ulti-
mately suffers,” explains Hancock.
DISTINCTIVE IN
DESIGN-BUILD
Even in the typical design-build approach
which fosters collaboration between a build-
er and architect who often form a joint ven-
ture to manage the project, Hancock says is-
sues can still arise from delays or frustrations
resulting from forcing two independent
heads with two different perspectives (from
two or more different business) to reach one
