Consultants retain morals and professionalism

The man who helped Defence Estates prepare its prime contracting procurement strategy warned fellow consultants to retain their professionalism when working collaboratively with contractors.

Colin Carter, a partner with quantity surveyor Gardiner & Theobald, told a Construction Industry Council seminar in London: "We need to ensure everyone in the integrated team recognises that. We have to get into the mindset of the prime contractor at the beginning that we are not changing our behaviour in terms of professionalism or morals.

"The prime contractor will pass on the warranty to the design team if the final outcome does not achieve Ministry of Defence requirements. Anyone who signs up to it without taking adequate precautions has the best exit strategy (for going out of business) in the construction industry."

Instead he advised that fitness for purpose requirements become part of the organisational responsibility of the collective prime contracting supply chain. Carter said he believed the prime contracting initiative would give lots more opportunities to consultants to broaden their skillset and ensure their continuous improvement.