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
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.