Construction Management vs Main Contractor

These are two procurement models. The difference is who holds the contractual relationship with the trades. Under the Main Contractor route, the client signs one contract with a main contractor. The main contractor sub-contracts the trades, prices a margin into every trade quote, and carries the trade-side risk. Under Construction Management, the client signs a separate contract with each trade directly. The Construction Manager coordinates the trades but does not employ them, and is paid a fee for the management work. Trade-side risk in this model sits with the client. That is also why the route gives direct visibility into trade pricing. Construction Management suits projects where design uncertainty is high, scope is complex, and the client values cost transparency over fixed-price certainty. The Main Contractor route suits projects where scope is fixed, programme is short, and the client values single-point accountability. Cost transparency is also why Construction Management projects typically run with a Pre-Construction Services Agreement. Myrmex operates as Construction Manager because the model gives the client direct visibility into trade pricing.