More Thoughts about Signs and Design-Build

We have spent considerable time over the last several months investigating how architectural sign programs are designed and implemented, and it has become increasingly clear that the Design-Build model has a significant role to play in this process. That part of the big picture is in pretty sharp focus, but it’s so easy to get caught up in the nitty-gritty details, you can lose track of exactly why this is a good thing for architectural sign companies. Here are the 3 most important reasons we think you ought to be excited about Design-Build, and why it should be in the mix as you plan for the future.

Conversion rates. I'm not talking about dollars to euros here. I am talking about the number of proposals that are converted into real revenue generating projects. For our small firm in the Boston area, we have converted more than 70% of the Design-Build proposals we submitted over the last 2 years into actual jobs. This compares with a success rate of less than 20% on traditional "Design-Bid-Build" projects that we have pursued. It is true that writing a successful proposal is time-consuming, but the return is nothing short of remarkable. I will go out on a limb here and predict that this model will be adopted by more and more architectural signage companies, and I would not be at all surprised to see EGD firms sticking their toes into the water as well.


Collaboration opportunities. The subject of design-build is a touchy one within the EGD community and understandably so. This is particularly true of projects where the architectural signage company finds itself in a lead role. However, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that there is real potential for collaboration here. From our perspective, the design-build process can only succeed when competent design skills are brought to bear on the project, and although some architectural signage companies have qualified in-house designers, many do not. It would be natural, and mutually beneficial, for qualified signage companies and independent EGD firms to form partnerships for the purpose of executing specific projects.

Playing to your strength. Design-build, as a business model gives you the control you need to leverage your experience and professional expertise so that you can produce great solutions for your customers, while maintaining the profit margins you need to grow. It is an innovative approach to the future that can make your architectural signage business more dynamic and more profitable because it encourages you to focus your efforts on doing what you do best.