Trade
In economics, ‘trade’ is said to take place when two entities – individuals or companies – agree to the transfer of goods and / or 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 an activity carried out by skilled craftspeople who may, for example, be bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, electricians, cladding installers and indeed any skilled labour involved in constructing, maintaining, 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 looking 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.
NB On construction management contracts, a construction manager is appointed on a consultancy and management basis to provide advice to the client during the pre-construction stages and then to manage the construction of the works. The works themselves are divided into packages which are contracted to separate contractors. These contractors are referred to as trade contractors rather than sub-contractors as they are contracted directly by the client, rather than being sub-contracted to the construction manager. For more information see: Trade contractor.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Designing for neurodiversity: driving change for the better
Accessible inclusive design translated into reality.
RIBA detailed response to Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report
Briefing notes following its initial 4 September response.
Approved Document B: Fire Safety from March
Current and future changes with historical documentation.
A New Year, a new look for BSRIA
As phase 1 of the BSRIA Living Laboratory is completed.
A must-attend event for the architecture industry.
Caroline Gumble to step down as CIOB CEO in 2025
After transformative tenure take on a leadership role within the engineering sector.
RIDDOR and the provisional statistics for 2023 / 2024
Work related deaths; over 50 percent from constructuon and 50 percent recorded as fall from height.
Solar PV company fined for health and safety failure
Work at height not properly planned and failure to take suitable steps to prevent a fall.
The term value when assessing the viability of developments
Consultation on the compulsory purchase process, compensation reforms and potential removal of hope value.
Trees are part of the history of how places have developed.
The increasing costs of repair and remediation
Highlighted by regulator of social housing, as acceleration plan continues.
Free topic guide on mould in buildings
The new TG 26/2024 published by BSRIA.
Greater control for LAs over private rental selective licensing
A brief explanation of changes with the NRLA response.
Practice costs for architectural technologists
Salary standards and working out what you’re worth.
The Health and Safety Executive at 50
And over 200 years of Operational Safety and Health.
Thermal imaging surveys a brief intro
Thermal Imaging of Buildings; a pocket guide BG 72/2017.