Procurement Route Pros & Cons
Contents |
[edit] Traditional Procurement
Good for:
- QUALITY – full design pre tender
- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY – variations & instructions
- SPECIALIST SUB-CON’S – Named specialist update sbc11
- DESIGN CONTROL – through arch/CA
- CDPs – eg. M&E
- COMPLEX
- COST – lump sum cost benefits unless multiple changes made
Not Suited for:
- TIME – req full detailed pack pre tender
- COST – not a benefit if many changes made
- INCOMPLETE DRAWINGS – lead to delay, costs and claims of negligence
Contract: SBC11
- LUMP SUM PAYMENT
- CDM
- CDP’s
- NAMED SUB CONTRACTORS
- VARIATIONS/INSTRUCTIONS
- RETENTION
- COLLATERAL WARRANTIES
- TERMINATION PROVISIONS
- PREAGREED ALT DISPUTE RESOLUTION
[edit] D&B Procurement
Good for:
- TIME – Fast track, overlap design & construction
- COST – lump sum/ GMP
- SINGLE POINT RESPONSIBILITY – Contractor design and build responsibility
- COMPLEX
- NOVATION – can benefit quality. Prior knowledge, sub-con drawing review
- CLIENT RISK LOW
- NAMED SUB-CON – in employers requirements
Not suited for:
- QUALITY – cheapest route to meet contract spec can lead to low quality products/ build quality.
- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY – request for change – costs/time implications
Contract: DB11
- CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE DESIGN +CARRY OUT WORKS
- LUMP SUM/GMP
- CDM
- COLLATERAL WARRANTIES
- TERMINATION PROVISIONS
- RETENTION
- PRE AGREED DISPUTE RESOLUTION
[edit] Management Contracting Procurement
Good for:
- COMPLEX/SPECIALIST – individually appointed packages to best suited sub-contractor
- POTENTIAL COST SAVING – Competitive tender
- TIME – Overlap design/construction
- QUALITY – each package subcontracted to specialist
- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY – changes can be made throughout construction. Potential costs.
Not suited for:
- INEXPERIENCED – risk high
- FIXED COST - Prime cost basis per package. Fluctuations.
- LACK OF AVAILABLE SPECIALISTS – would leave gaps in work to be undertaken.
Contract: MC11
- PRIME COST CONTRACT
- PROVISIONS FOR COLLATERAL WARRANTIES
- SUSTAINABILITY
- COLLABERATIVE WORKING
- THIRD PARTY RIGHTS – funder-contractor
[edit] Construction Management Procurement
Good for:
- COMPLEX/SPECIALIST - individually appointed packages to best suited sub-contractor
- TIME - Overlap design/construction
- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY - changes can be made throughout construction. Potential costs.
- POTENTIAL COST SAVING - Competitive tender
- QUALITY - each package subcontracted to specialist
- ALL BUILDING TYPES
- EFFICIENCY – Early appointment of CM to aid programme
Not suited for:
- UNEXPERIENCED EMPLOYER – risk high as appointing trade contractors
- FIXED COST- Prime cost basis per package.
- LACK OF AVAILABLE SPECIALISTS
Contracts:
CM/TC11
CM/A
- EMPLYER – CM
- COLLATERAL WARRANTIES
- SUSTAINABILITY
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.





















