This Practice Note provides a basic explanation of traditional procurement in construction. It looks at why this type of procurement is used and also considers particular issues to take into account when choosing to follow this procurement route.

When an employer decides to commence a construction project, the first stage is typically for it to engage an architect to carry out a feasibility study and to prepare a very basic design. If the architect advises that the employer’s proposals are achievable within the budget that has been set, the employer will then engage the architect and, typically, a number of other consultants (engineers etc), to develop the designs for the project and provide related advice.

In the early stages of a construction project, the employer, usually with guidance from its professional team, will need to make a decision on how to procure the construction. There are various procurement routes and forms of contract to choose from and the employer’s choice will be influenced by the time available for tendering and for completion of the project, the method