Our Unique Design-Build Model

"There has to be a better way," Gerry Rauenhorst declared over 70 years ago when he started his construction business that would evolve to be the Opus of today.

Inspired by a client-centric vision, he pioneered the design-build project delivery model that we still employ today.

Next Level Design-Build

We bring design-build to the next level—delivering speed, savings and best overall value.

With our integrated design-build model, construction experts are involved in the design process from the beginning, providing feedback on constructability and giving you the information you need to make informed decisions.

You get a single point of responsibility that manages risk and keeps you informed throughout the project. That means project risk and contracts are managed by our team with interests aligned to your end goal, rather than by individual team members working in their own interest.

Whether we work with our development team, directly with an owner or developer as the client or we engage internal or external design resources, our model effectively integrates all stakeholders for best outcome. Working as a single, multi-disciplinary team, this meaningful collaboration elevates your experience and optimizes results.

With our design-build model, you can expect the following:

reduced cost
faster schedules
certainty of outcome
improved risk management
reduced owner administrative burden

We continually innovate this holistic approach with a relentless drive toward one goal—to deliver your vision. You get maximum value without shortcutting or compromising the full design process.

For decades our experts have been delivering value through proven results for our clients.

We're relentless in our pursuit to maximize value for you. Working with us, you can count on one team with one objective—delivering outstanding value for you.

Increased Ability to Influence Cost and Create Value

Involving key stakeholders and team members early in the process increases the ability to positively influence costs and helps mitigate constructability issues that could add cost later—maximizing scope and minimizing impact to your budget.

Early Commitment to Firm Price

We establish a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) early in the process—during design—rather than later when designs are locked and costs fluctuate. We assume the risk of project variables, so you can be confident and have peace of mind.

Deal Structure Flexibility

Our balance sheet is strong, and our capital markets experts have built relationships with a diverse portfolio of capital partners, including some of the largest in the country. We can lock in and close on desirable properties quickly and efficiently, while establishing flexible, cost-effective financing.

Local People with Local Relationships

We bring local experts and knowledge to your project, while leveraging the strength of our national scale and resources. You get certainty of outcome—your project delivered as expected, on time and on budget.

Your project has a purpose. At Opus, we listen to understand your mission, vision, culture and goals.

Listen

You receive open, transparent and frequent communication, with a single point of responsibility, to keep you in control.

Communicate

You receive ongoing schedule and cost updates and alternatives to successfully navigate your decisions at every stage.

Guide

You can depend on our client-centric partnership approach as we work with you to inspire and create innovative solutions to exceed your expectations.

Collaborate

You get certainty of outcome and the earliest price commitment, as our integrated team of experts works together to manage risk and maximize results.

Commit

We are driven to exceed your expectations and empower your mission by leveraging our demonstrated expertise and project successes.

Deliver

The Opus Advantage: Design-Build versus Design-Bid-Build

Our unique design-build model provides clients, partners and end users with faster completion, reduced cost and best total value.

Here's how it works:

Our integrated team of experts work with you, guiding you through the design and construction process, working on things concurrently to maintain a short timeline.
Based on our team's knowledge and expertise, we can establish a guaranteed maximum price earlier than other models. Locking in this price early allows you to secure financing or funding to keep the project moving forward.
We can begin construction of your project while construction drawings for the final finishes and details are being created. Meanwhile, when working with other models, the price won't be locked in until after construction drawings are completed when our project would already be under construction.
Finally, we deliver the project on a much shorter timeline leading to cost savings.

Work With Us

“The mission of Edison District is to create a puzzle piece in a community of redevelopment. My vision for our contribution to downtown Overland Park was effectively just that: a living room for the redeveloped community. When we were bidding it out to both architects and construction companies, the math wasn't working. The Opus design-build program actually made the math work where it wouldn't have otherwise. And so we couldn't have done it without them.”

Tim Barton

Founder & Developer, Edison District

“Design-build gave us a tremendous amount of value. We sat down, and we had conversations about what our needs are for the building. We needed cranes, compressor rooms, chemical rooms and more. We needed to know how we get that done and what the best approach is. Opus really knew their stuff.”

Craig Elverson

Facilities Manager, Cherne Industries Inc.

“What I liked best was the honesty, the trustworthiness. It’s a very upfront relationship based on problem solving and seeking solutions to complex projects. Working with people we trust that are looking out for our best interest relieved a lot of stress in a very stressful process.”

John McGraw

Director of Development, River Caddis Development

“Opus published a schedule early and hit that schedule – actually exceeded that schedule. That hasn’t been my experience with other builders.”

John Johnston

Director of Operations, Safe Fleet

“It’s not that you pay a premium for that value added of having the whole team in one place, you actually pay less for it.”

Tim Barton

Founder & Developer, Edison District

“I value the efficiency of having the construction folks and design folks in the same room. By being able to work internally outside of the calls with the client, they can create efficiencies. They’re more prone to work together than they would if they were with different organizations. If they’re from different firms, there’s a potential for problems or lack of communication.”

John McGraw

Director of Development, River Caddis Development

"We were able to move fast because of Opus’ design-build approach. The design of the project was occurring at the same time as our board discussions. In the end, we broke ground just three weeks after the board approved the project."

Jim Manship

Director of Facilities Management, St. Catherine University

"Opus did a great job sharing budget updates. Early in the process we realized that we would have some savings compared to the guaranteed maximum price, allowing us to upgrade some materials. To have the flexibility to be watching the budgets and the numbers gave us a much better project."

Robley Evans

Director of Business Affairs, Saint Thomas Academy

“I would recommend Opus especially from their design build approach.”

Tim Barton

Founder & Developer, Edison District

“We’ve worked with other firms that call themselves design-build. We started the process and realized we’d have to bring in additional firms. Instead of 60%, Opus has 90% under one roof. That was very helpful and just made a typically very challenging process more simplified. It’s really hard to find other groups that emulate or do something similar.”

John McGraw

Director of Development, River Caddis Development

“Opus is a very customer focused organization, they spent a lot of time listening, they were flexible, and they were always focused on the higher objective of meeting our needs.”

Jay Lund

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Andersen Corporation

“They had a common goal of supporting us, Andersen, you know in our journey to get this facility built. I think they delivered above and beyond.”

Dan Hinrichs

Director, Facilities , Andersen Corporation

Our Unique Design-Build Model

Our Unique Design-Build Model

Next Level Design-Build

Increased Ability to Influence Cost and Create Value

Early Commitment to Firm Price

Deal Structure Flexibility

Local People with Local Relationships

The Opus Advantage: Design-Build versus Design-Bid-Build

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