Named supplier in construction contracts
Naming suppliers allows the client to influence the main contractor's selection of suppliers, whilst leaving responsibility for their performance with the main contractor.
To name suppliers, the client first identifies a list of potential suppliers. They may invite these potential suppliers to submit tenders. The client then names a short-list of acceptable suppliers in the tender documents for the main construction contract. The tender documents allow for the named suppliers by including a provisional sum.
When tendering for the main contract, the main contractor makes allowances for mark up, attendance and programme in relation to the named suppliers. Once appointed, the successful contractor seeks tenders from the named suppliers (although they may reasonably object to any of them). If the client previously sought tenders form the named suppliers, they may pass these on to the main contractor, although it is the responsibility of the main contractor to negotiate an actual price.
Once the main contractor has selected and appointed a supplier, the provisional sum is replaced with the actual price agreed.
The main contractor pays the named supplier and the main contractor is responsible for their works. However, if the materials or goods supplied turn out not to be fit for purpose, then whoever named them will be responsible, not the contractor, unless the contractor was able to choose from a number of products available from the named supplier and they selected one that was unfit for purpose when others were available.
On public sector projects, a supply contract for which the client intends to provide a named list of possible suppliers may be subject to the requirements of the OJEU procurement rules.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.