Traditional contract for construction - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:22, 21 September 2026

2026-09-21T08:22:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:22, 21 September 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	= Introduction =
		+
	The 'traditional' procurement route, sometimes referred to as 'design bid build', 'bid build' or 'employer designed' remains the most commonly used method of procuring building works.		The 'traditional' procurement route, sometimes referred to as 'design bid build', 'bid build' or 'employer designed' remains the most commonly used method of procuring building works.

Line 5:		Line 7:
	Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.		Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.

−	Traditional construction contracts are most commonly lump-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for ~~‘traditional’~~ projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.	+	Traditional construction contracts are most commonly lump-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for 'traditional' projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.

	This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.		This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.
Line 13:		Line 15:
	See also: Traditional contract - pros and cons.		See also: Traditional contract - pros and cons.

−	The most common forms of traditional contract remain the ~~JCT (~~[http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ Joint Contracts Tribunal]) Standard Building Contract, Intermediate Building Contract and Minor Works Building Contract.	+	The most common forms of traditional contract remain the [http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal)] Standard Building Contract, Intermediate Building Contract and Minor Works Building Contract.

−	~~-----~~	+	= When might it be appropriate? =
−	When might it be appropriate?	+

−	* If the employer has had the design prepared	+	* If the employer has had the design prepared.
−	* If the design is substantially completed at time of contractor selection	+	* If the design is substantially completed at time of contractor selection.
−	* The client wishes to retain control over the design and specification	+	* The client wishes to retain control over the design and specification.
−	* Cost certainty at start on site is important	+	* Cost certainty at start on site is important.
−	* The shortest overall programme is not the ~~client’s~~ main priority.	+	* The shortest overall programme is not the client's main priority.

−	~~-----~~	+	= What are the advantages of traditional procurement? =
−	What are the advantages of traditional procurement?	+

	* Competitive fairness and transparent process.		* Competitive fairness and transparent process.
−	* Design led – can ensure quality	+	* Design led - can ensure quality.
−	* Price certainty before commencement	+	* Price certainty before commencement.
−	* Well known procedures	+	* Well known procedures.
−	* Changes are reasonably easy to arrange and value	+	* Changes are reasonably easy to arrange and value.

−	What are the disadvantages?	+	= What are the disadvantages? =

−	* Overall project duration may be longer than other procurement routes – sequential process	+	* Overall project duration may be longer than other procurement routes - sequential process.
−	* No input into design and planning by the contractor	+	* No input into design and planning by the contractor.
−	* Strategy based on price competition – could lead to adversarial relations	+	* Strategy based on price competition - could lead to adversarial relations.
−	* Dual point of responsibility – design team for design and contractor for construction	+	* Dual point of responsibility - design team for design and contractor for construction.
	* If the design is not complete at the time of tender, cost and time certainty are reduced.		* If the design is not complete at the time of tender, cost and time certainty are reduced.

−	~~-----~~
	For a detailed description of the sequence of activities necessary on a traditional contract see the work plan: Traditional contract: outline work plan.		For a detailed description of the sequence of activities necessary on a traditional contract see the work plan: Traditional contract: outline work plan.

Line 55:		Line 54:
	* Design quality.		* Design quality.
	* Job order contracting.		* Job order contracting.
−	* Notifications during construction works	+	* Notifications during construction works.
	* Procurement route.		* Procurement route.
	* Temporary works.		* Temporary works.
Line 67:		Line 66:
	= External references =		= External references =

−	* JCT ([http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ Joint Contracts Tribunal])	+	[http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal)]

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Contracts_/_payment]] [[Category:Procurement]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Contracts_/_payment]] [[Category:Procurement]]

Designing Buildings at 10:19, 9 January 2023

2023-01-09T10:19:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 9 January 2023
Line 44:		Line 44:
	For a detailed description of the sequence of activities necessary on a traditional contract see the work plan: Traditional contract: outline work plan.		For a detailed description of the sequence of activities necessary on a traditional contract see the work plan: Traditional contract: outline work plan.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Atkins v Secretary of State for Transport.		* Atkins v Secretary of State for Transport.

Designing Buildings at 06:35, 27 August 2020

2020-08-27T06:35:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:35, 27 August 2020
Line 69:		Line 69:
	* JCT ([http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ Joint Contracts Tribunal])		* JCT ([http://www.jctltd.co.uk/ Joint Contracts Tribunal])

−	[[Category:~~Articles_needing_more_work~~]] [[Category:Contracts_/_payment]] [[Category:Procurement]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Contracts_/_payment]] [[Category:Procurement]]

Designing Buildings at 08:58, 13 May 2020

2020-05-13T08:58:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:58, 13 May 2020
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	The 'traditional' procurement route, sometimes referred to as 'design bid build' ~~(or~~ 'bid build' ~~by contractors)~~ remains the most commonly used method of procuring building works.	+	The 'traditional' procurement route, sometimes referred to as 'design bid build', 'bid build' or 'employer designed' remains the most commonly used method of procuring building works.

	The client first appoints consultants to design the project in detail and then prepare tender documentation, including drawings, work schedules and bills of quantities. Contractors are then invited to submit tenders for the construction of the project, usually on a single-stage, competitive basis. This may be referred to as a 'traditional contract'. The contractor is not responsible for the design, other than temporary works, although some traditional contracts do provide for the contractor to design specific parts of the works.		The client first appoints consultants to design the project in detail and then prepare tender documentation, including drawings, work schedules and bills of quantities. Contractors are then invited to submit tenders for the construction of the project, usually on a single-stage, competitive basis. This may be referred to as a 'traditional contract'. The contractor is not responsible for the design, other than temporary works, although some traditional contracts do provide for the contractor to design specific parts of the works.

Editor at 15:40, 27 March 2020

2020-03-27T15:40:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 27 March 2020
Line 54:		Line 54:
	* Contractor.		* Contractor.
	* Design quality.		* Design quality.
		+	* Job order contracting.
	* Notifications during construction works		* Notifications during construction works
	* Procurement route.		* Procurement route.

157.167.90.180 at 13:04, 16 February 2020

2020-02-16T13:04:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 16 February 2020
Line 63:		Line 63:
	* Two-stage tender.		* Two-stage tender.
	* Variations.		* Variations.
−	* 111

	= External references =		= External references =

157.167.90.180 at 13:03, 16 February 2020

2020-02-16T13:03:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 16 February 2020
Line 63:		Line 63:
	* Two-stage tender.		* Two-stage tender.
	* Variations.		* Variations.
		+	* 111

	= External references =		= External references =

157.167.90.180 at 13:03, 16 February 2020

2020-02-16T13:03:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 16 February 2020
Line 22:		Line 22:
	* The client wishes to retain control over the design and specification		* The client wishes to retain control over the design and specification
	* Cost certainty at start on site is important		* Cost certainty at start on site is important
−	* The shortest overall programme is not the client’s main priority	+	* The shortest overall programme is not the client’s main priority.

	-----		-----

Designing Buildings: Reverted edits by 141.163.105.26 (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

2020-01-06T22:21:53Z

Reverted edits by 141.163.105.26 (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 6 January 2020
Line 5:		Line 5:
	Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.		Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.

−	Traditional ~~construcim gay mp~~-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for ‘traditional’ projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.	+	Traditional construction contracts are most commonly lump-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for ‘traditional’ projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.

	This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.		This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.

141.163.105.26 at 22:05, 6 January 2020

2020-01-06T22:05:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:05, 6 January 2020
Line 5:		Line 5:
	Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.		Typically, the client retains the design consultants during the construction phase to prepare any additional design information that may be required, to review any designs that might be prepared by the contractor, and to inspect the works. Normally, one consultant (often, but not necessarily, the architect) will be appointed to administer the contract.

−	Traditional ~~construction contracts are most commonly lump~~-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for ‘traditional’ projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.	+	Traditional construcim gay mp-sum contracts, however, measurement contracts and cost reimbursement contracts can also be used for ‘traditional’ projects where design and construction are separate, sequential activities.

	This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.		This form of procurement is suitable for both experienced and inexperienced clients. Fully developing the design before tender gives the client certainty about design quality and cost, but it can be slower than other forms of contracting, and as the contractor is appointed only once the design is complete, they are not able to help improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.