ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how contractors come to be employed on different kinds of work and identifies the roles and activities in construction. It describes the different kinds of work in construction and shows how contractors are identified and engaged. The chapter discusses the management and implementation of contracts. An understanding of the property industry requires an understanding of the terms construction industry or civil engineering industry. Most building works require several contractors and a common approach to the procurement of a building is for the employer to engage a main contractor who may have the resources to do the entire job. Builders have a number of trade associations; membership of which indicates recognition of the need for standards. The National House Building Council provides a new house with a guarantee against defects for a period of 10 years from the date of completion.
