| Summary: | Partnering is a new and exciting way of cooperation in the Swedish construction industry. In countries like Denmark and the United Kingdom the concept has been developed during a number of years while the Swedish construction industry has been more reluctant. Partnering is seen by many as the solution to the problems that often occur in design and build contracts. Many others believe that it is a way for the big entrepreneurs to gain unfair advantage. Never the less the concept is fast getting more and more appreciation, especially in the region of Karlstad where many new buildings are built that way. We have focused on the new development of Carlstad Conference Center (CCC) which is currently built with a partnering concept. The main method that have been used in this thesis are interviews with personnel on different positions in the project. We have interviewed the following categories of personnel: Project Manager, Main Contractor, Foreman, Architect, Constructor and Subcontractors. The purpose of this thesis is to describe how the partnering cooperation at Carlstad Conference Center works and how this approach differs from a traditional design and build contract. The goal is then to describe the differences in economics, organization and quality. We have found that partnering is an excellent way of cooperation in projects that are highly complex and where the client can´t really define his product. In projects that are more of a standardized nature the design and build contract seems better. We have also found that it is positive that the main contractor is involved together with the architect and the constructor in the early stages of the project and contributes with his knowledge on how to build in an effective way. From an economic point of view we have found that the profits that the contractors make in a partnering project are not as big as it may have been in a traditional design and build contract but on the other hand it´s almost impossible to make a loss which makes it a safe way to build. We have also found that it´s a more simple way of working since the involved parties don´t have to argue about extra costs and additional works. When it comes to the quality of the finished product the views varies depending on who you ask. Generally speaking it´s the main contractor that believes the quality should end up the same as with a normal design and build contract. Almost everyone else believes that the quality should get better. Everyone that has been interviewed believes that partnering is the best way to build projects like Carlstad Conference Center.
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