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
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.