Trade

In economics, ‘trade’ is said to take place when two entities – individuals or companies – agree to the transfer of goods and 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 the term for the activity carried out by skilled craftsmen who may be bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, electricians, cladding installers and indeed all the skilled labour involved in constructing, 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 that are designed to look 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.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Bricks
• Construction plant.
• Construction staples.
• Equipment supply.
• Excavating plant.
• Ladder.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Scaffolding.
• Surveying instruments.
• Tool theft.
• Trade contract.