This book is an easy-to-read introduction to the principles and methods of building procurement and is aimed at first year students or non-cognate graduates starting out on a career in construction, property, quantity surveying and construction management.

The book starts with a brief introduction to the construction industry, including how the industry is organised into contractors, consultants and clients. After a discussion of the historical development of procurement methods, which show a steady shift of risk and responsibility towards the supply side (contractors), the various roles and responsibilities which must be carried out in any project are discussed in detail. The aim is to show the reader that procurement routes are effectively a permutation of these responsibilities between the various parties. The book then explains the various methods by which the contractor(s) are paid, either by pre-negotiated lump sums or by some form of cost reimbursement. Variants of these two systems are also discussed. Several chapters are given to the detailed discussion of the main procurement routes together with the appropriate standard forms of contract designed for that route. More modern developments such as Private Financing and PPP are discussed and a chapter covering emerging trends in procurement completes the book.

Containing discussion points, chapter summaries and case studies, this book is ideal for use in a variety of degree programs and courses across the built environment and engineering.