The meaning of concession in the construction industry
Generally, a thing conceded is a concession. When something is applied for or requested – whether a right, privilege or point of fact (e.g in an argument) – and it is granted, then the thing that has been granted is a concession.
Examples of a concession are:
- The right to roam across somebody else’s land.
- A business that is granted a licence to operate a concession within another business e.g a newspaper stall in a station.
- Conceding a point in an argument e.g as a way to admit defeat.
In the built environment, a concession is a negotiated contract that grants rights to a company by a government, local authority, or other legal entity.
For example, a contractor or other supplier which funds and undertakes works in return for payment through capitalising on the finished works. For example, a main contractor is given the concession to apply tolls to a bridge for a certain period (e.g 30 years) as full or part payment for having built the bridge. Such an arrangement may be part of a complex private finance initiative (PFI).
See concession agreement for a more detailed explanation of the concept.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT).
- Complex project.
- Concession agreement.
- Construction contract.
- Equivalent project relief provisions.
- How business can bridge the infrastructure gap.
- Managing the procurement process.
- PFIs and adjudication.
- Private finance initiative.
- Public Private Partnership.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.

















