Design-Build AV Integration
Design-build is a single-source delivery model that brings design, engineering, and integration under one partner. With Ford AV’s design-build services, our audio, video, IT, and security experts are involved from day one—ensuring systems are fully integrated into the construction process. Early collaboration reduces risk, avoids costly last-minute changes, and keeps your project aligned from concept to completion.
Benefits of Our Design-Build Services
Design-build projects demand technology planning that’s accurate, coordinated, and built into the construction process from the start. Ford AV delivers integrated design-build AV services that help general contractors, architects, and owners reduce risk, improve coordination, and deliver better outcomes
Improved
Efficiency
Better project efficiency and coordination from design through installation, with a single accountable partner managing scope end-to-end.
Accurate Technology Planning
Precise technology planning and documentation that reflects real system requirements before construction documents are finalized.
Fewer Change
Orders
Early AV involvement reduces surprises during construction, resulting in fewer costly change orders and smoother trade coordination.
Clear Owner Alignment
Expectations are established, managed, and met from the start—so owners get the systems they envisioned without surprises at the end.
Early Infrastructure Planning
System and infrastructure requirements are identified early, preventing costly retrofits and ensuring conduit, power, and space needs are built in from the ground up.
Reduced Trade Conflicts
Coordinated AV design reduces conflicts with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other trades during construction, keeping projects on schedule.
Our Design-Build AV Process
Design
The design phase establishes the foundation for a fully integrated audio, video, network, and security system. Ford AV’s Design/Build team works closely with project stakeholders to develop system concepts, evaluate requirements, and align technology strategy with architectural and engineering plans. Early design collaboration allows Ford AV engineers to identify infrastructure needs, recommend system approaches, and provide critical technical input that supports coordinated documentation and reduces future project conflicts.
Evaluate
Inviting Ford AV engineers to early design meetings provides opportunities to collaborate with the project architects, interior designers, engineers, and more, to assess and make recommendations on essential aspects of the audio, video, network, and security system. Ford AV engineers can study and assess your early plans, workflow, and existing technology, and provide recommendations that contain critical system design information.
Deliver
Ford AV system engineers deliver critical information to the project design team. These deliverables help reflect an accurate scope of work and ensure your systems reach their full potential. Engineers provide noise criteria recommendations, acoustical recommendations, conduit plans, millwork specifications, BIM design, 3D photo rendering, system device mounting details, space requirements designation, budgetary proposals, electrical requirements, and BTU/hr heat loads.
Realize
Everyone wants a smooth project experience, and that starts with accurate information BEFORE documents are complete, and construction begins. By securing early AV design analysis, you ensure accurate technology-related information, fewer change orders, expectations are known, managed, and realized, and the right questions are asked and answered during design/development.
Build
Time to bring the dream to life. Rest easy knowing you will not run into costly last-minute changes. The Design/Build Team assigned to your project will stay involved to oversee the installation to your complete satisfaction. Once the installation is complete, Ford AV support staff will have all the information they need to provide world-class quality service for years to come.
Who Uses Design-Build AV Services
Design-build AV services are built for project teams and owners who want one accountable partner from concept through construction—delivering integrated audio, video, IT, and security systems that are planned correctly from day one.
General
Contractors
Integrated AV planning aligned with construction timelines and workflows.
Architects & Design Teams
Early collaboration for space utilization, infrastructure, and system design.
Corporation & Enterprise Clients
Standardized AV systems across facilities, conferencing rooms, and lobbies.
Education & Medical Facilities
Complex environments requiring coordinated technology integration.
About Ford AV — Design-Build AV Services
Engineering and Design Expertise
Systems are designed by in-house engineers to ensure performance, scalability, and seamless integration with building infrastructure.
50+ Years of AV Integration Experience
Proven expertise delivering complex AV, IT, and security systems across corporate, education, and government environments.
Nationwide Project Delivery
Local teams across the U.S. support consistent execution—from single-site builds to enterprise-wide deployments.
Clear Communication
We provide automated Daily Job Site Reports (DJSR) to the customer to be advised of the progress on the job site. This serves as a permanent history to ensure that the GC or Owner is put on notice about delays in the project by other trades.
Structured Project Management
Defined processes keep projects on schedule, aligned with scope, and accountable from design through installation.
Ongoing Support and Lifecycle Services
From commissioning to long-term service, Ford AV supports your systems well beyond project completion.
Design-Build AV Deliverables
As part of the design-build process, Ford AV provides detailed engineering documentation and system planning deliverables to support construction coordination and long-term performance.
Noise Criteria & Acoustical Recommendations
Room-by-room noise criteria and acoustical input that ensures AV systems perform at spec in the finished space.
Conduit Plans & Millwork Specifications
Detailed conduit routing and millwork specs that allow trades to plan and build AV infrastructure accurately from the start.
BIM Design & 3D Photo Rendering
BIM-integrated design files and photo-realistic 3D renderings that give every stakeholder a clear picture of the finished system before build.
Budgetary Proposals & Electrical Requirements
Early-stage cost documentation and electrical load specifications including BTU/hr heat loads—so MEP teams and owners have accurate numbers from the design phase.
Design-Build AV Resources & Documentation
Explore guides for design-build AV services, including the Start Early program brochure and project planning resources.
Start Early Brochure
Ford AV Locations
Ford AV delivers design-build AV, IT, and security solutions across the United States through regional teams that ensure consistent execution, local support, and scalable project delivery. Explore our locations to see where we operate nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to start AV integration planning early in the construction process?
The earlier AV is included in planning, the easier it is to integrate systems into building infrastructure, reducing conflicts, change orders, and future retrofit costs.
How does a design-build AV approach improve coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and technology stakeholders?
A design-build AV approach brings AV experts in early, creating single-source accountability. Teams coordinate with architects and contractors to reduce conflicts and improve docs
What technology considerations should be addressed during the design phase of a new building or renovation?
Plan beyond displays. Plan for collaboration spaces, conferencing, signage, audio, control systems, network infrastructure, acoustics, scalability, and user experience goals.
What deliverables does an AV design-build team provide to support successful project execution?
Deliverables include BIM models, pathway drawings, specs, mounting details, electrical and acoustical requirements, budgets, renderings, and infrastructure documentation.
How does design-build AV integration reduce project risk and help control costs?
Early AV planning reduces risk by identifying power, network, structural, and space needs before construction, minimizing delays, change orders, and redesign costs.
Why Choose Ford AV for Design-Build AV Services
From new construction to system upgrades, Ford AV provides a single-source design-build approach that aligns AV, IT, and security systems with your project from concept through completion.
Start Early with Ford AV for Design-Build AV Services
Engineering and Design Expertise – Systems are designed by in-house engineers to ensure performance, scalability, and seamless integration with building infrastructure.
50+ Years of AV Integration Experience – Proven expertise delivering complex AV, IT, and security systems across corporate, education, and government environments.
Nationwide Project Delivery – Local teams across the U.S. support consistent execution—from single-site builds to enterprise-wide deployments.
Clear Communication – We provide automated Daily Job Site Reports (DJSR) to the customer to be advised of the progress on the job site. This serves as a permanent history to ensure that the GC or Owner is put on notice about delays in the project by other trades.
Structured Project Management – Defined processes keep projects on schedule, aligned with scope, and accountable from design through installation.
Ongoing Support and Lifecycle Services – From commissioning to long-term service, Ford AV supports your systems well beyond project completion.
Ready to bring design, engineering, and construction together from day one?
