The Difference Between London Construction Consultants and Contractors
What a Construction Consultant Does
What a Construction Contractor Does
Key Differences That Matter
Why It Matters on London Projects
In construction, there are two roles that people often confuse. One helps plan and manage everything behind the scenes. The other builds it. Both are essential, but if you’re managing a property project in London, knowing the difference can save you time, money and stress.
Construction consultants and construction contractors work on the same projects, but they do very different things.
What a Construction Consultant Does
A construction consultant helps guide a project from the start. They’re usually involved early on and work on the client’s behalf. Their job is to make sure the project runs smoothly, stays within budget, and meets all the necessary requirements.
Typical responsibilities
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Reviewing the feasibility of the project
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Helping the client develop a clear brief
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Managing costs and risk
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Coordinating the design process
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Overseeing tenders and contracts
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Monitoring progress and keeping everything on track
At Fresson and Tee, this is where we come in. We work with clients from day one to shape their project, navigate regulations and act as a single point of contact throughout.
What a Construction Contractor Does
Once the project is ready to be built, the contractor steps in. This is the team responsible for physically carrying out the construction work on site. They follow the design and scope agreed earlier and bring the project to life.
Contractors handle:
- Setting up the site
- Hiring and managing trades
- Ordering materials
- Running the day-to-day work on site
- Meeting health and safety requirements
- Delivering the finished build
They do not design or manage the client’s overall interests. They work to a contract and are paid to deliver specific tasks.
Key Differences That Matter
The roles may overlap during construction, but they serve different functions and are accountable for different things.
Who they report to
- Consultants work for the client directly
- Contractors deliver the job the client has asked for
When they get involved
- Consultants join at the start, before any work begins
- Contractors come in once the design is ready and approvals are in place
What they focus on
- Consultants focus on planning, compliance, cost and quality
- Contractors focus on the physical build and delivering the end result
Why It Matters on London Projects
In London, building projects are rarely simple. You might be working in a listed building, dealing with tight access, or needing to keep the building in use during the work. Having a consultant on board helps plan for these things early, so the contractor has everything they need to deliver safely and efficiently.
Clients who treat contractors as consultants can run into problems. Designs might not be fully resolved, costs might be unclear, or critical permissions might be missing. That leads to delays, disputes or budget creep.
At Fresson and Tee, our job is to keep that from happening. We work with clients to plan everything clearly and manage the project properly from start to finish.
If you would like to discuss more about construction consultants and contractors in London, please call our office on 020 7391 7100 or email us at surveyor@fandt.com.