Support services in the construction industry

Support services are activities required for the successful completion of processes, programmes, or projects.

They can be provided by a supplier in support of a product that they have supplied (such as technical support or maintenance), or can be provided by independent third parties support providers.

Third party support services can include consultancy services such as:

• Dispute resolution.
• Design and project management.
• Value and risk management.
• Health and safety advice.
• Business planning.
• Due diligence.
• Change management.

As a consequence, many of the consultancy-based companies in the construction industry are categorised as ‘support services’.

Contractors may also offer services to clients in addition to construction, that can be described as 'support services', such as:

• Facilities management.
• Operation and maintenance.
• Plant and equipment hire.
• Logistics management.
• Waste management.
• Cost estimating.
• Health and safety training.
• Security services.
• IT management.
• Logistics management.

NB The glossary of statistical terms, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), state: ‘Entities providing support services to other educational institutions include institutions that provide educational support and materials as well as operation and maintenance services for buildings. These are commonly part of the general-purpose units of public authorities.’

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

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• Supply chain management.