Our Design-Build Approach
Mechanical Expertise at the Design Table — Construction Capability in the Field
Design-build succeeds when the people designing the system are the same people installing it. Dual Temp’s construction team works alongside architects and engineers during the design phase, providing real-time input on constructability, cost implications, equipment selection, and energy performance before drawings are finalized. This eliminates the disconnect between “what was designed” and “what can actually be built” that plagues traditional delivery.
Our design-build involvement typically begins at schematic design and continues through construction documents, permitting, installation, commissioning, and owner training. We produce 3D BIM models during the design phase that serve double duty — supporting design coordination with the architect and engineer, then driving installation coordination and prefabrication during construction.
We bring the same self-performed trade capabilities to design-build as we do to plan & spec: HVAC equipment and ductwork, hydronic and refrigerant piping, plumbing, controls, and specialty systems — all executed by our own crews. This gives the design-build team a single mechanical partner who controls the entire scope from concept through startup.
Our design-build experience spans projects where we served as the mechanical design-build subcontractor to a GC-led team, as well as projects where we partnered directly with the owner and architect without a general contractor. We’re structured to work within either model.
What We Bring to the Design-Build Team
Why Design-Build Teams Choose Dual Temp
Design Phase Input That Actually Reduces Cost
We don’t attend design meetings to nod along — we bring specific, documented recommendations that reduce mechanical cost, simplify installation, or improve system performance. Our input is grounded in what we know from building these systems every day, not theoretical engineering exercises.
Guaranteed Maximum Price Confidence
Design-build projects often require mechanical GMP commitments before the design is fully documented. Our estimating team provides reliable mechanical budgets at schematic and design development phases because we self-perform every trade — we’re not guessing what a subcontractor will charge. We know our costs.
Single Mechanical Partner — Design Through Startup
The team contributing to the design phase is the same team that builds and commissions the system. No handoff between a design consultant and an installation contractor. No “that’s not what we meant” conversations during construction. Continuous ownership from first sketch to final commissioning report.
BIM Models That Serve Both Design and Construction
Our BIM team builds coordination models during the design phase that architects and engineers can use for spatial coordination and clash detection — then those same models drive our shop drawings, prefabrication, and field installation. One model, two phases, zero translation loss.
Design-Build Projects We've Delivered
Collaborative Delivery Across Eastern PA and NJ
Dual Temp has served as the mechanical design-build partner on projects across healthcare, education, commercial, and institutional sectors throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our design-build scopes have included complete HVAC systems, plumbing, medical gas, building automation, and specialty installations.
Specific project case studies are in development. Contact our construction team to discuss our design-build experience relative to your project.
Get Started
Building a Design-Build Team?
If you need a mechanical partner who can contribute meaningful design input and then self-perform every trade through commissioning, Dual Temp Construction brings real construction knowledge to the design table and real trade capabilities to the field. Call (610) 791-9100 or submit a project inquiry below.