Main contract
In a contract there is reciprocity of undertaking passing between the promisor and the promisee. The rights and obligations of the parties to the contract are created by the acts of agreement between them.
In the procurement of construction, contracts can be:
- Standard forms.
- Modified standard forms.
- Bespoke.
The ‘main contract’ is generally that which is awarded by the client (sometimes referred to as the employer) to the general contractor, or main contractor, whose tender has been accepted. The works required from the main contractor are set out in detail in tender documents, for which they have offered a price that has been accepted by the client.
Main contractors are often appointed under a traditional contract to construct a development for which the design has already been completed by consultants appointed by the client. However, under other forms of main contract, they might also provide part or all of the design, facilities management services, and even financing.
The organisations that the main contractor may appoint to carry out specific aspects of the works for them may be described as ‘subcontractors’, 'subbies', or simply as 'suppliers'. They will be appointed by the main contractor under subcontracts, and subcontractors may themselves appoint subcontractors under sub-subcontracts, and so on. See suppy chain for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A transformative shift in the design, construction and management of built assets.
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach 7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.