--- title: "Client, consultant and contractor relationship" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/construction_management:client-consultant-contractor-relation" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/client-consultant-contractor-relation site: BCT Engineering --- # Client, consultant and contractor relationship Construction Management · Chapter 1: Construction Management Framework - Asked in: 2075 Bhadra, 3 marks; 2078 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2078 Kartik, 5 marks; 2072 Asoj; 2069 Bhadra (old course), 4 marks; 2066 Magh (old course), 8 marks (asked 6 times) - Video: [Relation Between Owner, Contractor and Engineer #psc #construction #management #engineer #client](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oukGFPVj93Y) — Nepal Engineers Loksewa Solutions - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/client-consultant-contractor-relation - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-1 ## Question Discuss the relationship between client, consultant and contractor for proper execution of a construction project within schedule, time and cost. ## Short answer The client, consultant and contractor are linked by separate contracts: the client appoints the consultant for design and supervision and the contractor for execution. The consultant acts as the client’s representative without a direct contract with the contractor. Clear scope, timely approvals and payments, and mutual trust enable project completion within schedule and cost. ## Answer The client, consultant and contractor are the three main parties to a construction project. Cost, time and quality are controlled only when each party plays its role and the three work through clear contractual links. ```text Contract Contract CLIENT ------------> CONTRACTOR | (owner) ^ (builds) | Consultancy | Instructions, | agreement | approval, payment v | certification CONSULTANT -------------+ (designs, supervises) ``` #### Role of each party - **Client (owner):** defines the need and budget, arranges finance, land and approvals, appoints the consultant and contractor, pays on time and takes decisions promptly. - **Consultant:** prepares the feasibility study, design, drawings, specifications, estimates and tender documents; assists in tender evaluation; supervises the work, checks quality, certifies bills and advises the client on variations and claims. - **Contractor:** executes the work as per the drawings, specifications and contract within the agreed time and price; supplies labour, materials, equipment and a work programme; maintains quality and safety; rectifies defects. #### Relationship for proper execution 1. The client and consultant are linked by a consultancy agreement; the client and contractor by the works contract. The consultant has no contract with the contractor but acts as the client's representative (the Engineer) under the works contract. 2. Complete, clear design and tender documents reduce variations, and so reduce cost overrun. 3. The client gives site possession, approvals and payment as per the contract, so the contractor can follow the schedule. 4. The consultant gives timely drawings, decisions and inspections; the contractor submits the programme, method statement and quality plan. 5. Regular progress meetings, reports and change-control procedures keep all three informed. 6. Disputes are resolved fairly and impartially by the contract's procedure (DAB, arbitration). Mutual trust, communication and respect for the contract terms are the basis for completing the project within schedule and cost. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which contractual links exist among the three parties? A. Consultant-contractor and client-contractor contracts B. Client-consultant agreement and client-contractor works contract C. Client-consultant and consultant-contractor contracts only D. All three parties sign one tripartite contract Answer: B. The client has a consultancy agreement with the consultant and a works contract with the contractor; the consultant has no contract with the contractor. (Key point: Contract links) 2. Under the works contract, how does the consultant act toward the contractor? A. As a subcontractor B. As the contractor's agent C. As the client's representative (Engineer) D. As an independent arbitrator only Answer: C. Although there is no contract between them, the consultant acts as the client's representative (Engineer). (Key point: Consultant's position) 3. Why do complete, clear design and tender documents help control cost? A. They reduce variations and so cost overrun B. They remove the need for supervision C. They let the contractor skip the programme D. They increase the contract price Answer: A. Clear documents reduce variations, and variations are a main cause of cost overrun. (Key point: Cost control through documents) 4. How should disputes among the parties be settled? A. By the client's decision alone B. By stopping work until the contractor agrees C. By the contract's procedure (DAB, arbitration) in an impartial manner D. By the consultant's order only Answer: C. The contract's procedure such as DAB or arbitration gives fair, impartial settlement. (Key point: Dispute resolution) ## Related in Construction Management - [Two roles each of client, consultant, contractor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aroles-client-consultant-contractor) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [TCTO numerical: lowest cost schedule, Rs 400/week](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Atcto-2075-bhadra) — Construction Management, chapter 2 - [TCTO numerical: least cost schedule, Rs 2000/week](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Atcto-2068-bhadra) — Construction Management, chapter 2 - [Consultant and quality of construction works](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aconsultant-role-quality) — Construction Management, chapter 1 - [Time cost trade-off concept with example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Atcto-concept) — Construction Management, chapter 2, asked 5× - [TCTO numerical with time-cost chart (five activities)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Atcto-2079-jestha) — Construction Management, chapter 2 ## Related in other subjects - [Engineer's relation with client, contractor, fellows](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aengineer-relation-client-contractor) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 3 - [Monitoring and quality, cost, schedule control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Amonitoring-quality-cost-schedule-control) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 - [Rate Monotonic real-time schedule](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Foperating_system%3Arate-monotonic-schedule) — Operating System, chapter 2 - [Contractor asks supervisor to prepare running bill](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Acontractor-running-bill-bribe) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7