This practical, user-friendly textbook starts at the beginning of construction projects and makes important connections between stages, accompanied by helpful illustrations and real-life industry examples. Contracts and agreements underpin the whole construction industry, and yet many graduates and young professionals do not realise just how important they are. Misunderstandings and mistakes can be extremely expensive and cause considerable delay. The textbook provides extensive explanation of the most commonly used forms of contract, an introduction to the general principles of contracts, and the implications of contract law and negligence as they affect the construction professional.Written by an author with extensive previous industry experience before he became a lecturer, this text is aimed at students of Contract Management/Procedures at both undergraduate and postgraduate level on both Civil Engineering and Construction courses.  It is also helpful for starting professionals.New to this Edition:- Often-overlooked aspects of NEC contracts such as contractor design- Coverage of NEC ECC 2013, JCT 2011, CDM 2015 and the revised Public Contracts Regulations 2015- More extensive advice on money, time and programmes and their importance