Sourcing in the construction industry
Sourcing is an activity that involves looking for suppliers of goods and services required to achieve a particular end. Taken literally, the term means finding the source of something. So, in construction, the source of the reinforced concrete floor planks that are required will be either the manufacturer or the supplier of those planks. When a party is awarded the contract, they then become a part of the overall supply chain for the project.
Sourcing of materials, labour and services may be undertaken by any of the stakeholders during the project:
- An architect may wish to source suppliers of glazed bricks.
- An engineer may require to source manufacturers of steel angles.
- A contractor may want to source agencies that supply labourers.
In all cases on a project, sourcing will usually aim to complete one part of the project, so a building project will comprise multiple acts of sourcing.
The process of identifying a specific supplier that will be contracted, and then agreeing terms with them, is generally referred to as procurement.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Action programme for responsible and ethical sourcing.
- Australian ethical labour sourcing standard.
- Code of conduct.
- Complex outsourcing.
- Consultancy playbook.
- Corporate social responsibility in construction.
- Critical service contracts.
- Critical suppliers.
- Ethical labour sourcing standard.
- Expected market cost.
- International Ethics Standards Coalition.
- Management Consultancy Framework MCF.
- Mixed economy.
- Model Services Contract MSC.
- Modern Slavery Act and sustainable supply chains.
- Modern slavery and the supply chain.
- Public sector dependent suppliers.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Sourcing playbook.
- Spark framework RM6094.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.