Engineering Procurement and Construction Management Contract
Engineering Procurement and Construction Management contracts (EPCM contracts), like Engineering Procurement and Construction contracts (EPC contracts) are similar to design and build contracts, in that there is a single point of responsibility for the design and construction of the project, but generally, the client has less say over the design of the project than on a design and build project, and the contractor takes more risk.
However, unlike an EPC contract, on an EPCM contract the client employs the necessary trade contractors to construct the works. The 'contractor' designs the project, and then acts as a construction manager, co-ordinating the procurement process and then managing the trade contractors. Effectively they are performing the roll of a consultant during the construction phase.
This might be appropriate where the client wishes to retain a degree of control over the procurement process, for example if there is uncertainty about the exact scope or nature of the works required when the procurement process begins. This can be used to accelerate construction by enabling some parts of the works to begin (for example piling) whilst the design of other parts of the works continues.
As the client contracts the trade contractors themselves, they require greater expertise than they would on an EPC contract.
Generally, EPCM contracts are used on engineering and infrastructure projects, where the aesthetics of design might be considered less important to the client than performance and cost certainty.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Contract.
- Contract conditions.
- Construction management.
- EPC contract.
- Procurement route.
- What is an EPC contract?
[edit] External references
- Project Procurement Management Processes
- Skills Funding Agency: Procurement routes.
- CABE: Procurement routes.
- PACE Guidance on the Appointment of Contractors and Consultants for a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of various procurement routes.
- nbs: National Construction Contracts and Law Survey 2012.
- JCT: Deciding on the appropriate JCT contract.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.