Design-Assist™ Preconstruction Services | JB STEEL®
Streamline your project with JB STEEL®'s DESIGN‑ASSIST,™ a preconstruction process that reduces RFIs, accelerates schedules, and improves budget certainty. Get expert input from civil to steel, before plans are finalized.
What Is DESIGN‑ASSIST™?
DESIGN‑ASSIST™ is JB STEEL®’s early-involvement preconstruction process that brings our design-build team, engineers, and trade experts to the table before final plans are set. We use 3D modeling, cost modeling, and constructability reviews during the schematic phase, so you can reduce RFIs by ~25% on average and fast-track your timeline.
Whether you're developing a 100,000 sq ft warehouse in Oregon or an aviation facility in Arizona, DESIGN‑ASSIST™ aligns all stakeholders upfront, so there are fewer surprises and smoother execution from start to finish.
Top 3 Reasons Why People Use Our DESIGN‑ASSIST™ Service
- Reduce Risk of Change Orders - Identify conflicts, clarify scope, and lock in details before permits are pulled.
- Accelerate Your Schedule - Projects using DESIGN‑ASSIST™ typically save up to 12 weeks in delivery time.
- Improve Budget Certainty - Get real-time cost input from trade partners before design is finalized.
Why It's Important to Get a Contractor Involved Early
Involving the contractor in the design process can help to avoid potential problems and save time and money. Often, contractors are able to see potential issues with the design that may not be evident to those who are not familiar with construction. By catching these potential problems early on, it can help to avoid costly changes down the road.
COMMON BUILDING SIZES
JB STEEL® Specializes in high quality 10,000+ Sq Ft buildings.
Below are some of the most common commercial and industrial building sizes. JB STEEL® can build these or any custom building size.
See Why JB STEEL® Is The Most Trusted Option In Commercial And Industrial Construction
What's included in the DESIGN‑ASSIST™ Process
Preconstruction Alignment
We define scope, roles, and risk-sharing with clear deliverables at every phase.
3D Modeling & Clash Detection
Using BIM and constructability reviews, we detect design conflicts before they cost time or money.
Budget Validation & Value Engineering
We provide pricing feedback as drawings evolve, so you know what every decision means.
Phased Scheduling & Site Planning
Our civil, concrete, and steel teams contribute early insights to sequence work efficiently.
Collaborative Design
Real-time collaboration between owners, architects, and JB STEEL®, not siloed communication.
Permit Coordination & Jurisdiction Review
We help identify AHJ requirements and streamline permit submittals.
Other Services
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
& GENERAL CONTRACTING
If you are looking for construction management or general contracting then look no further. We have the experience, people, and equipment to be with you from start to finish and make sure the job goes smoothly.
DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTOR
Every successful construction project in starts with a collaboration between all the stakeholders involved. That’s why at JB STEEL®, we believe that success depends on getting everyone together including designers, estimators, project managers, field representatives, trusted trade partners, etc.
SELF-PERFORMANCE CONTRACTOR
JB STEEL® is a great choice for any project that requires an array of services. We have the expertise to handle most jobs due to our wide range of self-performance capabilities. This includes civil site work, supply, construction, install of custom pre-engineered metal buildings, foundations, and more.
SUBCONTRACTING SERVICES
JB STEEL® excels at performing on projects as a subcontractor. Our crews specialize in civil siteworks, excavation, structural concrete work, steel fabrication & installation, and supply & installation of custom pre-engineered metal buildings. We can handle any project on the site without any issues due to our experience and process.
Why JB STEEL® For Design-Assist™?
- Self-Perform Civil-to-Steel Execution
We control quality and schedule from ground prep through final bolt. - Multi-State Licensure
Licensed in 10+ states across the Western U.S., with projects from Oregon to New Mexico. - Award-Winning Delivery
The only Oregon contractor to win Metallic Building Company’s “Builder of the Year” twice. - The JB STEEL Way®
A proven four-step process: Align → Design → Self-Perform → Close-Out.
The JB STEEL® DESIGN-ASSIST™ Process
- Kickoff & Alignment
We start by sitting down with your team to clarify project goals, identify potential challenges, and align expectations early. - Collaborative Design Development
Our DESIGN-ASSIST™ approach brings contractors and designers to the same table. We provide constructability reviews, cost feedback, and scheduling input at each milestone—so your plans evolve with real-world accuracy. - 3-D Modeling & Clash Detection
Using BIM tools, we surface conflicts before they become costly RFIs. This early coordination typically reduces change orders by ~25% and keeps the design phase moving smoothly. - Budget & Schedule Certainty
Throughout the process, we deliver transparent pricing updates and critical-path scheduling insights. Owners and architects gain clarity to make informed decisions—without surprises later. - Seamless Transition to Build
When design is complete, the project is ready to hand off for execution with fewer unknowns, tighter bids, and a clear path to the finish line.
Customer Testimonials
"JB STEEL® designed and built our new facility in Medford, Oregon seamlessly and met our timeline. They were great to work with every step of the way; from guiding us through frustrating permitting issues to implementing our requested mid-project design changes and finally keeping up with consistent communication to ensure we were updated on the progress of the job. All of their team members were the upmost professionals to work with and always provided needed information to us that ensured an on-time project completion. We appreciate their hard work and definitely look forward to working with them again!"
"JB STEEL® recently designed and constructed a beautiful new building for our property and were an absolute pleasure to work with. They understood our unique vision and executed it perfectly, met our standards of quality, and did it on all a very tight timeline."
"We make a lot of changes and we need them to be on our team, not opposing each other but walk through it together to figure out a solution. We put them through the wringer and they delivered. We re-engineered two or three times; it was a long ways from home, and they made it happen on several levels."
Licensed, Insured & Bonded
No job is too complex or too challenging for JB STEEL®. Our experience and knowledge allows us to tackle projects of any size, in the markets we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DESIGN‑ASSIST™ in construction?
DESIGN‑ASSIST™ is a preconstruction service where JB STEEL® joins your project team early—before the design is finalized, to provide input on cost, constructability, scheduling, and sequencing. This collaboration helps reduce change orders and save time during construction.
How is DESIGN‑ASSIST™ different from Design-Build?
In Design-Build, the contractor and design team are contractually united from the start. DESIGN‑ASSIST™ often supports projects where design and construction are separately contracted, but it brings in the builder’s expertise early to optimize the outcome. JB STEEL® offers both models.
When should I involve JB STEEL® in a DESIGN‑ASSIST™ role?
As early as possible. Ideally, during schematic design, when you’re still developing the project’s basic layout and performance requirements. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can help avoid conflicts and improve project outcomes.
Does DESIGN‑ASSIST™ cost extra?
Not necessarily. In most cases, JB STEEL® includes DESIGN‑ASSIST™ as part of our preconstruction services, especially when there's a clear path to a negotiated contract. We'll confirm this during the Preliminary Site Review.
What types of projects benefit most from DESIGN‑ASSIST™?
Complex commercial and industrial projects like warehouses, aviation facilities, manufacturing plants, or tilt-up + PEMB hybrids see the biggest benefits. DESIGN‑ASSIST™ helps align all moving parts early for faster, smoother delivery.
