Labour-only contract vs labour-and-material contract

You buy cement, steel, sand, blocks and finishes; the contractor provides workers and executes the work.

• More control over brands, grades and material cost.
• You (or your engineer) must plan quantities and deliveries so work does not stop.
• Material wastage and theft are your risk unless the contract says otherwise.
• Works well when the owner has time, a nearby engineer or experience.

The contractor supplies both workers and materials against an agreed specification and price.

• Less day-to-day effort for the owner; one party is responsible.
• The specification must be written clearly (brands, grades, thickness, finishes), or cheaper substitutes can creep in.
• Payments are usually tied to stages; keep a retention until handover.
• Works well for busy owners and for projects with a clear design.

• If you cannot visit the site regularly, prefer a turnkey contract with a detailed specification.
• If you want control over every brand and can manage deliveries, labour-only can suit you.
• Either way, compare quotations item by item, not only the total.
• Write down what happens with changes, delays and defects.