Last edited 05 Aug 2025

The difference between construction management and contractor led procurement routes

Construction management is a procurement route in which works are constructed by a number of different trade contractors, these trade contractors are contracted to the client but managed by a construction manager, who is appointed early in the design process to improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop. The construction manager acts as an agent for the client, administering and co-ordinating the works contracts.

A contractor led procurement route is similar in that the contractor side has a key management role, however in contractor lead procurement the contractor provides a design team to develop a concept design as proposals for a tendering process. Typically this leads to two teams proceeding to Stage 3, where assessments are finalised, and one construction team is appointed as the preferred bidder.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

Designing Buildings Anywhere

Get the Firefox add-on to access 20,000 definitions direct from any website

Find out more Accept cookies and
don't show me this again