What is a CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract

Renovating a dental or healthcare clinic is a really exciting step – but it can also feel like a right handful when it comes to juggling design, permits and construction all at once – it’s a pretty big ask. Choosing the right contract is what makes all the difference between a project that runs smoothly and on time, and one that’s a complete nightmare – full of stress and delays. That’s where the CCDC-14 design-build contract steps in. Its a widely used agreement across Canada that allows you to work with a single team who handle both design and construction, which as a bonus saves you loads of time, confusion and unexpected costs.

In this guide we’re going to break down exactly what the CCDC-14 design-build contract is all about, how it works in the real world and why it’s especially useful for healthcare & dental clinic renovations in Toronto and the GTA. 

What is the CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract?

The CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract is a standard contract created by the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC). It’s officially called the Design-Build Stipulated Price Contract, and it’s for situations where one company—known as the Design-Builder—takes full responsibility for both the design and construction of a project. This means the client signs one contract and deals with one main point of contact instead of managing multiple contractors, architects and consultants separately.

In a nutshell, the CCDC-14 contract makes the renovation process more efficient by combining two major phases—design and build—under one team. This setup reduces communication errors, speeds up project timelines and provides more cost certainty through one, fixed (or “stipulated”) price.

This contract is used across Canada for commercial, institutional and healthcare projects, especially when owners want a streamlined process and clear accountability. For clinic and dental office renovations in Toronto and the GTA, the design-build model ensures every stage—from space planning to finishing touches—meets both aesthetic and regulatory standards.

Key Components of a CCDC-14 Contract

At its core, the CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract is built on the principles of simplicity and accountability. By clearly laying out the roles, responsibilities and expectations between the Owner (usually the clinic owner itself) and the Design-Builder (the one company or team that handles everything from design to construction), this contract helps keep healthcare and clinic renovation projects organized and transparent.

1. The Two Main Players

When it comes to a CCDC-14 contract, there are essentially two main parties involved:

• The Owner – that’s the person or company that needs the renovation done, usually the clinic or healthcare facility owner.
• The Design-Builder – a single company or team that takes on the whole project from start to finish, including the design work, getting permits and seeing the actual construction job through to the end.

This arrangement eliminates the hassle and communication breakdowns that are so common in traditional ‘design-bid-build’ projects.

2. Getting the Job Done – Scope of Work

The contract begins with a crystal-clear Scope of Work, outlining in detail exactly what the design-builder will be designing and building. This will encompass things like layout plans, equipment placement, any special materials, and even hygiene standards. A well-defined scope like this really helps avoid disputes and keeps the project on track in terms of both cost and schedule.

3. Know Your Costs – Stipulated Price

The CCDC-14 is a design-build stipulated price contract, which means the total cost is agreed upon before the work even starts. This gives the Owner far greater peace of mind when it comes to budgeting, and avoids those nasty surprise expenses that can pop up later on. For clinics that’ve got tight budgets and timelines to stick to, this arrangement offers a level of faith and predictability that’s hard to find elsewhere.

4. Life’s Full of Surprises – Change Orders & Adjustments

Even with the total cost agreed upon in advance, changes can and do happen (think updated dental equipment or design changes). The CCDC-14 contract has a clear plan in place for how to handle these change orders, ensuring that every modification is properly approved and documented before the work continues. This guarantees that both sides are on the same page when it comes to cost and scope.

5. Sharing the Risk – Risk Allocation & Responsibilities

One of the things that really sets the CCDC-14 design-build contract apart is its clear risk allocation. Because the design-builder is in charge of both design and construction, they are ultimately responsible for any errors or problems that come up. This really minimizes the Owner’s risk, and makes it a lot simpler to hold the design-builder accountable for their work.

6. Payment Terms – Cash Flow Control

Payment under the contract is tied to a schedule of progress milestones. This ensures that the design-builder gets paid for the work they’ve completed, while at the same time giving the Owner a clear line of sight on what’s happening with their cash flow.

7. Conflict Resolution – Dispute Resolution

Finally, the CCDC-14 includes a built in dispute resolution process in case any conflicts do come up. This is a fair and quick way to resolve disputes, usually through negotiation or mediation, so that projects stay on track and don’t get bogged down in costly delays.

Why Use a CCDC-14 Contract for Clinic & Healthcare Renovations in Toronto/GTA?

Renovating a dental or healthcare clinic – you need to get it just right. Your first concern is probably going to be keeping up with strict hygiene standards and minimising disruption to patient care. Not to mention the logistics of coordinating a renovation in cities like Toronto and the GTA – it can be a nightmare. Many clinic owners here have found that the CCDC-14 design-build contract is the way to go, cutting through all the hassle and making the renovation journey as smooth as possible. By putting both design and construction under one roof, you get a single point of contact who’s accountable for cost and quality from start to finish.

Why a CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract Works

• One Team, One Call to Make: Having one person to deal with all the logistics means no more juggling different people to get things done.
• Renovate & Reopen Quickly: With the design and build teams on the same page, making decisions is a breeze – so you can get your clinic back up and running much faster.
• Budget Peace of Mind: With the price all laid out upfront, you know exactly what your costs are going to be – no nasty surprises when construction is underway.
• Keeping everyone on the same Page: A single point of contact means changes, approvals and updates flow smoothly – no more misunderstandings or delays.
• It’s a natural fit for healthcare spaces: especially those that require all sorts of specialist systems – like fancy plumbing, air conditioning and infection control equipment.

In the Greater Toronto Area, a lot of medical buildings are old or run down, and they come with all sorts of headaches – tiny spaces, outdated wiring, and health regulations to navigate. But with a CCDC-14 design-build contract on your side, it’s all manageable. By combining design and construction expertise, it’s a guarantee that your clinic renovation will meet health standards on time and on budget.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Implement a CCDC-14 Contract for Your Clinic Renovation

If you’re planning a dental or healthcare clinic renovation in Toronto or the GTA, understanding how to use a CCDC-14 design-build contract can make your project much smoother. This step-by-step guide will help you move from the idea stage to a fully completed renovation with confidence and control.

Step 1: Define Your Vision and Requirements

Before signing any contract, take time to clearly define your clinic’s needs. Think about your layout, workflow, hygiene zones, and equipment placement. This becomes your Owner’s Statement of Requirements, which forms the foundation of the CCDC-14 design-build contract.
A clear vision helps your design-builder understand exactly what you want, which prevents confusion, delays, and costly changes later.

Step 2: Choose the Right Design-Builder

In a design-build project, the design-builder handles both the design and construction. Choose a team with proven experience in healthcare and dental renovations across the GTA. Ask for references, examples of similar projects, and proof of understanding of healthcare standards, plumbing, and infection control.
Working with a qualified local team—like Greenstone Renovations—ensures your clinic meets both aesthetic and regulatory needs while staying within your budget.

Step 3: Negotiate and Sign the CCDC-14 Contract

Once you’ve selected your design-builder, review the CCDC-14 contract together. It outlines scope, timeline, payment terms, and risk responsibilities. Because this contract follows a standard Canadian format, it helps protect both parties while promoting transparency.
Make sure every key detail is clearly defined: project scope, price, schedule, and how design changes will be managed. It’s always wise to have a construction lawyer review it before signing.

Step 4: Begin the Design and Pre-Construction Phase

With the contract in place, the design-builder develops your clinic’s design and technical drawings. They’ll also begin coordinating permits and schedules. The benefit of the CCDC-14 design-build contract is that pricing and design evolve together—so you can track costs early and avoid budget surprises.
As the clinic owner, stay involved through regular reviews to ensure your design aligns with your workflow and patient care needs.

Step 5: Construction and Project Management

Once the design is approved, construction begins. Your design-builder manages all site activities, subcontractors, and inspections. Regular progress updates keep you informed while you focus on running your business.
Because the CCDC-14 design-build contract creates one point of responsibility, there’s less chance of miscommunication between designers and builders—a key advantage during complex healthcare renovations.

Step 6: Final Review and Handover

When construction is complete, the design-builder will handle final inspections, clean-up, and commissioning of all systems (like plumbing, HVAC, and lighting). You’ll receive warranty documents and final drawings.
A proper close-out phase ensures your clinic is safe, compliant, and ready to serve patients from day one.

Step 7: Post-Construction Support

Good design-builders don’t disappear after handover. Under a CCDC-14 design-build agreement, they often provide post-occupancy support and warranty services. Keep a checklist of any small issues that arise after opening, so they can be resolved promptly.

Pros & Cons of the CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract

The CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract is one of the most effective ways to run a construction or renovation project in this country. What it essentially does is let the owner hire one team to handle both the design and the construction – making for a much more streamlined and accountable process overall. But like any contract model, its got both its pluses and minuses – and you should get a good feel for what they are before deciding if it’s the right fit for your clinic or healthcare facility.

The Main Benefits of Working with the CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract

1. The Single Point of Responsibility: Ditch the hassle of having to juggle multiple contracts with a bunch of different designers, engineers and builders, and just deal with one team – that’s the design-build team. It cuts down on miscommunication, and helps get projects done quicker – which is music to the ears of busy clinic owners who can’t afford to be waiting around for ages.
2. Faster Project Completion Dates: Because design and construction are done at the same time the timeline is shorter than it would be with traditional methods – like the CCDC-2 (design-bid-build) contract. So your new dental or healthcare space can open up sooner.
3. Better Cost Control: You get a fixed price at the start, so you know exactly what you’re going to be paying. And the design-builder manages both the design and construction budgets, which helps avoid any nasty surprises along the way.
4. Improved Collaboration: The designers and builders work together from day one – which often leads to some really creative solutions, better materials selection and a smoother construction process – especially where medical or dental layouts are involved.
5. Less Administration for You: For clinic owners in the Toronto and GTA area this is a big plus – because having one team to deal with means less paperwork and fewer headaches around permits and compliance.

Some Things to Watch Out For When Using the CCDC-14 Design-Build Contract

1. Less Control Over the Design: Because the design-builder is in charge of both the design and the build you might have less control over the fine details of the design. But if you communicate clearly at the start you should be okay.
2. Defining the Scope of the Project is Crucial: If you don’t make sure you get the initial project scope absolutely right you can get caught out by cost increases or delays further down the line. For healthcare renovations this means making sure you outline all the hygiene, plumbing and accessibility requirements upfront.
3. Be Careful Not to Get Overcharged: Because the contractor takes on most of the project risk they might factor in a bit of a safety net into their price. So make sure you get a few bids, or get some advice from a construction professional to ensure you’re not getting ripped off.
4. Any Big Changes Will Cost: Once the design and price are finalised, making major changes – like adding new dental equipment or changing the floor plan – can affect costs and timelines.

Also Read: https://greenstonerenos.ca/dental-clinic-reception-and-waiting-room-design/

Conclusion

The construction agreement you choose can be the difference between a renovation project that goes off the rails & one that hits every mark. The CCDC-14 design-build contract is a reliable choice for Toronto & GTA clinic owners – allowing you to knock out both design & construction in one shot under one roof. It generally brings cost predictability, speedier timelines, and less headaches when it comes to communication compared to other contract types. When used effectively, it helps you get efficient, compliant, and genuinely gorgeous healthcare or dental spaces – the kind that’ll make patients feel right at home. To really get the most out of it , you should work with an experienced design-build contractor in Toronto who really knows the ins & outs of medical & dental renovation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions