In Multiple Prime Contracting, the Owner contracts with multiple what?

• A. project managers
• B. consultants
• C. trade contractors
• D. design teams

Answer: (C)

In multiple prime contracting, the owner signs separate contracts with several trade contractors who are each responsible for a defined portion of the construction work. Instead of one general contractor managing the entire project, each trade—like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, etc.—becomes a prime contractor under its own agreement, handling its scope and coordinating with the others. A design team or construction manager may exist to support coordination, but the binding contracts for construction are with the individual trade contractors, not a single general contractor. This setup can foster competition among trades and faster procurement for specialized work, though it requires strong interface management to keep all trades aligned.