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I read with interest on the CM website the piece entitled ‘Thorpe throws down the gauntlet to CIOB members’ (published in the magazine back in April 2003), regarding Richard Thorpe’s assertion that spending big on prelims is the only way to ensure safe, tidy and well-organised sites. Instead of the contactor taking a ‘risk’

and allowing a sum of money for this item, it may be better if the client’s PQS allows an item of money within the preliminaries section of the document to cover the costs.

This way everyone is pricing on a level playing field, and the client is aware of what he is getting for his money in relation to welfare and health and safety on his project.

This will eliminate the contractor cutting corners to increase his margin. It will lead to better production overall, which will be beneficial to both the client and the contractor and the overall design team.

With ‘partnership’ so much of a buzzword in the industry, why is it the contractor who has to take all the risk? Surely the client will be the overall beneficiary if the money is well spent up front and he knows in advance what has been allocated to ensure an efficiently run and managed site.