Service 03
Contractor procurement
How you engage a builder, and who you invite, shapes cost, risk and quality more than almost any other decision. Get it right before the tender goes out.
What’s included
The right approach and the right builders.
Procurement strategy
Recommend the approach that suits your project — lump sum, design and construct, negotiated or staged.
Market sounding
Gauge builder interest, capacity and timing before you commit to going out to tender.
Contractor shortlisting
Identify builders matched to your project’s size, type and location.
Pre-qualification
Check licences, insurances, financial capacity, relevant experience and references.
Packaging
Advise whether to split the works into packages or bring key trades in early.
Risk allocation
Match the procurement route to the contract and the level of risk you’re comfortable carrying.
How it works
Ready to tender, with no surprises.
- 01
Understand
Your priorities on cost, time, quality and risk, and how far the design has progressed.
- 02
Strategy
Recommend the procurement route and contract form, with the reasons set out.
- 03
Shortlist
Approach suitable builders and check each one properly before they’re invited.
- 04
Go to market
Hand over to a well-run tender with a field of capable, interested builders.
What you receive
A clear plan for engaging your builder.
Everything you need to decide how to go to market, and with whom, before a single price comes in.
- Procurement strategy report
- Recommended contract form
- Shortlist of suitable builders
- Pre-qualification summary
- Procurement timeline
Questions
Common questions.
How many builders should I invite?
Enough for real competition, but not so many that good builders decline to price. For most private projects that means a small field of well-matched contractors.
Can I include a builder I already know?
Yes. They go through the same checks as everyone else, so the comparison stays fair.
What is design and construct?
The builder takes responsibility for completing the design as well as building it. It can save time, but you give up some control over the detail — so it needs a well-defined brief.
Talk through your project.
A short conversation is the best place to start — no obligation.