Partnering in the house building sector: A subcontractor's view

Partnering can lead to house building projects being delivered quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. Indeed, research has shown that partnering arrangements can reduce construction time and can lead to efficiency on site. This is achieved by partnering a dedicated team of consultants, contractors and manufacturers, who develop their expertise over a series of projects. This paper examines how partnering impacts on the construction process and the effects of these arrangements on small construction enterprises (SCEs). It also outlines a recent case study investigating the impact of partnering on an SCE. The research involved a series of interviews with the managing director of a South Wales based subcontracting firm aimed at developing an understanding of how SCEs are treated within a partnering arrangement. Evidence from this study suggests that under its current guise partnering may not offer SCEs with many tangible benefits and often has a detrimental effect upon the contractor-subcontractor relationship.