DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America)
practice exam, Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the design-build project
delivery method?
A. Owner separately contracts with a designer and a contractor
B. Designer and contractor work under a single contract with the
owner
C. Contractor designs the project without input from the owner
D. Owner manages design and construction separately
B. Designer and contractor work under a single contract with the
owner
Rationale: Design-build integrates design and construction under one
contract, allowing for improved communication, faster schedules, and
single-point accountability.
2. In a design-build project, who bears the primary responsibility for
design errors?
A. The owner
B. The contractor
C. The design-builder
D. Independent consultant
,C. The design-builder
Rationale: The design-builder assumes liability for both design and
construction, consolidating responsibility to reduce disputes and clarify
accountability.
3. Which of the following is a key advantage of the design-build
method?
A. Separate contracts for design and construction
B. Increased design changes during construction
C. Single-point responsibility
D. Extended project timeline
C. Single-point responsibility
Rationale: Single-point responsibility simplifies project management for
the owner, reducing the risk of disputes between designer and
contractor.
4. What is the primary goal of the DBIA Best Practices in design-
build?
A. Minimize owner involvement
B. Promote traditional project delivery
C. Encourage project efficiency and collaboration
D. Limit contractor responsibilities
C. Encourage project efficiency and collaboration
Rationale: DBIA Best Practices focus on integrated teams, clear roles,
and collaborative decision-making to achieve successful outcomes.
5. Which type of contract is most commonly used for design-build
projects?
A. Lump sum/fixed price
B. Time and materials
, C. Cost-plus-fee
D. Unit price
A. Lump sum/fixed price
Rationale: Fixed-price contracts are often used in design-build to
provide cost certainty and transfer risk to the design-builder.
6. What is a major risk associated with design-build for owners?
A. Design-builder may prioritize cost over quality
B. Multiple contracts increase disputes
C. Owner must manage design changes directly
D. No single point of contact
A. Design-builder may prioritize cost over quality
Rationale: Because the design-builder controls both design and
construction, there is a risk that cost-cutting could compromise design
quality unless the contract clearly defines performance standards.
7. Which phase occurs first in a design-build project?
A. Construction
B. Conceptual design
C. Final inspection
D. Substantial completion
B. Conceptual design
Rationale: Design-build begins with conceptual design to define project
scope, budget, and schedule before detailed design and construction.
8. What is a design-build RFP (Request for Proposal) primarily used
for?
A. Selecting a design consultant
B. Selecting a design-builder
C. Approving construction materials
D. Authorizing budget changes
, B. Selecting a design-builder
Rationale: An RFP outlines the owner’s requirements and invites
proposals from design-build teams, enabling selection based on
qualifications, price, and technical approach.
9. How does a design-build team typically manage risk?
A. Owner assumes all financial risk
B. Contractor and designer manage risks jointly
C. Independent insurance handles all risks
D. Risks are ignored
B. Contractor and designer manage risks jointly
Rationale: Integrated design and construction teams collaborate to
identify and mitigate risks, which is more effective than splitting
responsibility.
10. Which DBIA document defines the roles and responsibilities
of the design-builder?
A. Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Guide
B. DBIA Design-Build Contract Documents
C. American Institute of Architects (AIA) B101
D. OSHA Safety Manual
B. DBIA Design-Build Contract Documents
Rationale: DBIA provides standardized contracts and guidance that
clearly define design-builder responsibilities, risk allocation, and project
procedures.
11. In design-build, what is a “design criteria package”?
A. A list of construction methods
B. Owner’s requirements and performance standards
C. Contractor pricing proposal
D. Final construction drawings
practice exam, Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the design-build project
delivery method?
A. Owner separately contracts with a designer and a contractor
B. Designer and contractor work under a single contract with the
owner
C. Contractor designs the project without input from the owner
D. Owner manages design and construction separately
B. Designer and contractor work under a single contract with the
owner
Rationale: Design-build integrates design and construction under one
contract, allowing for improved communication, faster schedules, and
single-point accountability.
2. In a design-build project, who bears the primary responsibility for
design errors?
A. The owner
B. The contractor
C. The design-builder
D. Independent consultant
,C. The design-builder
Rationale: The design-builder assumes liability for both design and
construction, consolidating responsibility to reduce disputes and clarify
accountability.
3. Which of the following is a key advantage of the design-build
method?
A. Separate contracts for design and construction
B. Increased design changes during construction
C. Single-point responsibility
D. Extended project timeline
C. Single-point responsibility
Rationale: Single-point responsibility simplifies project management for
the owner, reducing the risk of disputes between designer and
contractor.
4. What is the primary goal of the DBIA Best Practices in design-
build?
A. Minimize owner involvement
B. Promote traditional project delivery
C. Encourage project efficiency and collaboration
D. Limit contractor responsibilities
C. Encourage project efficiency and collaboration
Rationale: DBIA Best Practices focus on integrated teams, clear roles,
and collaborative decision-making to achieve successful outcomes.
5. Which type of contract is most commonly used for design-build
projects?
A. Lump sum/fixed price
B. Time and materials
, C. Cost-plus-fee
D. Unit price
A. Lump sum/fixed price
Rationale: Fixed-price contracts are often used in design-build to
provide cost certainty and transfer risk to the design-builder.
6. What is a major risk associated with design-build for owners?
A. Design-builder may prioritize cost over quality
B. Multiple contracts increase disputes
C. Owner must manage design changes directly
D. No single point of contact
A. Design-builder may prioritize cost over quality
Rationale: Because the design-builder controls both design and
construction, there is a risk that cost-cutting could compromise design
quality unless the contract clearly defines performance standards.
7. Which phase occurs first in a design-build project?
A. Construction
B. Conceptual design
C. Final inspection
D. Substantial completion
B. Conceptual design
Rationale: Design-build begins with conceptual design to define project
scope, budget, and schedule before detailed design and construction.
8. What is a design-build RFP (Request for Proposal) primarily used
for?
A. Selecting a design consultant
B. Selecting a design-builder
C. Approving construction materials
D. Authorizing budget changes
, B. Selecting a design-builder
Rationale: An RFP outlines the owner’s requirements and invites
proposals from design-build teams, enabling selection based on
qualifications, price, and technical approach.
9. How does a design-build team typically manage risk?
A. Owner assumes all financial risk
B. Contractor and designer manage risks jointly
C. Independent insurance handles all risks
D. Risks are ignored
B. Contractor and designer manage risks jointly
Rationale: Integrated design and construction teams collaborate to
identify and mitigate risks, which is more effective than splitting
responsibility.
10. Which DBIA document defines the roles and responsibilities
of the design-builder?
A. Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Guide
B. DBIA Design-Build Contract Documents
C. American Institute of Architects (AIA) B101
D. OSHA Safety Manual
B. DBIA Design-Build Contract Documents
Rationale: DBIA provides standardized contracts and guidance that
clearly define design-builder responsibilities, risk allocation, and project
procedures.
11. In design-build, what is a “design criteria package”?
A. A list of construction methods
B. Owner’s requirements and performance standards
C. Contractor pricing proposal
D. Final construction drawings
