Which construction delivery method is characterized by the owner hiring a design professional to send designs out for bid?

The method characterized by the owner hiring a design professional to create designs that are then sent out for bid is known as Design/Bid/Build. In this approach, the owner first contracts with a designer, such as an architect or engineer, to develop complete construction documents and specifications. Once these documents are finalized, they are distributed to various contractors for competitive bidding.

This method allows the owner to select the contractor based on cost and other criteria after careful comparison of the bids received. It establishes a clear separation of the design and construction phases, with the owner maintaining control and oversight of the design process. The contractor is then chosen based on the bid submitted, typically leading to a fixed-price contract for the construction phase.

In contrast, other methods like Design/Build involve a single entity handling both design and construction, which streamlines the process but alters the owner’s role and control. Construction Management includes oversight by a construction manager, while Project Financing is related to funding structures rather than delivery methods, removing them from the context of this particular question. Therefore, Design/Bid/Build distinctly stands out as the correct answer due to its defined stages of design followed by bidding for construction.