Trade
In economics, ‘trade’ is said to take place when two entities – individuals or companies – agree to the transfer of goods and / or services between them. The bargain that is struck between the parties may involve monetary payment, barter or even be a transfer of goods without any payment.
In construction, a 'trade' is an activity carried out by skilled craftspeople who may, for example, be bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, electricians, cladding installers and indeed any skilled labour involved in constructing, maintaining, demolishing or renovating a building. Furthermore, those involved in supplying tools and materials to each of the trades e.g a brick merchant or timber supplier, are also regarded as being part of the trade.
Many of these trades may have their own trade associations looking after the interests of their members, be they carpenters, electricians or bricklayers. Trade associations are descended from medieval guilds which were associations of artisans or merchants who controlled the practice of their craft in a particular area or region.
NB On construction management contracts, a construction manager is appointed on a consultancy and management basis to provide advice to the client during the pre-construction stages and then to manage the construction of the works. The works themselves are divided into packages which are contracted to separate contractors. These contractors are referred to as trade contractors rather than sub-contractors as they are contracted directly by the client, rather than being sub-contracted to the construction manager. For more information see: Trade contractor.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Heritage protection in England vs Australia.
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?
Share your knowledge with the industry.
Create an account and write the first of many articles.
The green jobs delivery group.
CIAT commentary after the first meeting.
Liverpool's world heritage site status
Who is to blame?
Research recommends focussing on portfolio success rather than project success.