Subcontractor vs supplier
Traditionally, the distinction between a supplier and a subcontractor was that a supplier provided goods only, whereas a subcontractor provided goods and services.
However, this apparently clear distinction has become blurred by the increasing complexity of the construction supply chain and the emergence of practices such as off-site fabrication in which the provision of complex fabricated goods might include elements of construction work that would previously have been considered a service carried out by a subcontractor.
The UK government has now broadened the term ‘supplier’ to mean any ‘…provider of services or goods either directly to the employer or to another supplier in a supply chain’ (ref. PAS 1192-2 (now replaced by BS EN ISO 19650)).
This catch all definition includes; contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers and service providers who might all now be described as ‘suppliers’.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Contractor.
- Contractor vs supplier.
- Domestic sub-contractor.
- Integrated supply team.
- Invoice.
- Named sub-contractor.
- Nominated sub-contractor
- PAS 1192-2.
- Procurement route.
- Products v goods v materials.
- Specialist contractors.
- Specialist subcontractor.
- Sub-consultant.
- Subcontractor.
- Supplier.
- Supplier selection.
- Supply chain.
- Supply chain management.
- Trade contractor.
- Works contractor.
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.