Methods used by construction companies to procure materials
Contents |
Introduction
Construction businesses employ a variety of strategies to assist the delivery of relevant materials to site, but particular issues such as budget and time management must be considered. Materials are typically ordered from the supply chain, usually from external sources with whom the team has previously worked or who are listed in the contract terms.
Procurement
A procurement team or one or more construction buyers may be in charge of product, material, plant and subcontractor procurement. They normally work for the main contractor (but on larger projects, subcontractors may have buyers as well) to ensure that supplies are delivered on time, according to specifications and within budget.
Within a specification, buyers may have different purchasing options, particularly if an architect or engineer has specified a product and included a provision enabling them to substitute another product that must meet the same requirements as the original.
Establishing the best material source is crucial. This can be based on pricing and stock availability, but the supplier's reliability will be just as important.
It is very important to review material prices on a regular basis, whether at the start of each project or every six months, to check if they are competitive with the rest of the market. The process of selecting, ordering, invoicing, paying for, and receiving the materials required to construct a project is known as material procurement .
Bidding
The practise of a contractor presenting a tender to a customer as a proposal to undertake or manage a specific construction project is known as construction bidding. The bidding procedure is critical to the success of any construction project.
Sustainability
Sustainability has been more important in the purchase of building materials in recent years, particularly because these materials represent the biggest single category of waste going to landfill and the sector is one of the top emitters of CO2.
Local governments, customers and contractors may all have an impact on procurement by requiring a certain number of recycled materials to be used. As a result, sustainable procurement evaluates value for money in terms of societal, economic and environmental advantages, as well as the buying organisation's specific requirements.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.