Which type of contract involves the project owner hiring an architectural firm for design?

A single prime contracting approach is where the project owner hires a single contractor who then assumes responsibility for the entire project, often including the design and construction phases. In this case, the owner directly engages an architectural firm for the design aspects, while the contractor may execute the construction work based on that design. This collaborative method allows for more streamlined communication and coordination between the design and construction teams, which can lead to efficiencies throughout the project lifecycle.

The other contract types typically do not feature a clear distinction where the owner directly hires an architectural firm strictly for design purposes. For instance, a design-build contract integrates both design and construction processes under one contract with a single entity responsible for both. In a traditional contract, the owner might hire an architect, but this is typically more segmented, involving separate contracts for design and construction. Fixed-price contracts are more focused on the financial aspect of project delivery rather than the nature of the contractual relationship regarding design responsibilities.