‘We’ve had enough. Sort yourselves out or we’ll stop working for you.’ A specialist tells main contractors what to do next

By Mike Wharton 2024-03-13T07:01:00

There is a rot at the core of how construction is procured and it begins with clients and main contractors. Something has to change, says Mike Wharton

There is a line in End of Days delivered by Gabriel Byrne’s character (the devil) to Robin Tunney’s character (Christine): “You think I came here to hurt you? I didn’t come here to hurt you. I came here to love you. Give yourself to me.”

For those of you unfamiliar with the 1999 Schwarzenegger film, Byrne’s character is trying to seduce Tunney’s with the intention of creating the antichrist. Hard to read as it may be, this feels like a parallel of the relationship between main contractors and specialists and – let me be candid – we have been feeling like Christine for the past few years.

Already registered? Login here

To continue enjoying Building.co.uk, sign up for free guest access

Existing subscriber? LOGIN

Stay at the forefront of thought leadership with news and analysis from award-winning journalists. Enjoy company features, CEO interviews, architectural reviews, technical project know-how and the latest innovations.

Limited access to building.co.uk
Breaking industry news as it happens
Breaking, daily and weekly e-newsletters

Get your free guest access SIGN UP TODAY

Subscribe now for unlimited access

Subscribe to Building today and you will benefit from:

Unlimited access to all stories including expert analysis and comment from industry leaders
Our league tables, cost models and economics data
Our online archive of over 10,000 articles
Building magazine digital editions
Building magazine print editions
Printed/digital supplements

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

View our subscription options and join our community