Use of the NEC (New Engineering and Construction) contract has grown steadily in all sectors of the construction industry over its 20-year lifetime, and a working knowledge of it is becoming essential for all architects, allied professionals, their clients and contractors involved in building projects.

This clear, accessible guide explains and demystifies the NEC3 contract on a practical, work-based level, and overturns the misconception that NEC is not a contract aimed at architectural projects. Explaining what it really means for an architect to make the leap to NEC3, it candidly acknowledges and answers the concerns and issues they are likely to face, and explores how to best adopt the collaborative working and contractual partnering work practices required by NEC, and the advantages of doing so.