Sub-Contractors: Fletcher's Needs to Place Blame on Doorstep
Sub-Contractors Say Fletcher Building Needs to
Place Blame on Its Own Doorstep
The country’s leading trades organisation has refuted any suggestion that sub-contractors contributed to the challenges facing Fletcher Construction.
“Throughout Fletcher’s mounting difficulties, there has been an underlying inference that sub-contractors are part of the problem,” said Graham Burke, president of the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation, which represents the majority of sub-contractors in New Zealand.
“We strongly refute the claim that sub-contractors have contributed to budget overruns due to pushing prices up.
“The main contractor is in the position to
negotiate contracts with sub-contractors and they are in the
position to bargain with the principle. They hold all the
cards and they cannot blame sub-contractors for internal
mismanagement.
“It is not realistic for a main
contractor to negotiate a contract with a sub-contractor who
gives a fixed term quote, and then come back over a year
later and still expect that price.”
ENDS