PCSA (pre-construction services agreement): definition and example
An agreement for pre-construction services, such as design or planning, before the construction subcontract is agreed.
By Jack Butler-Kettle · Updated
Guidance for England and Wales. Check the contract, amendments and facts that apply to your job.
What it means in practice
A pre-construction services agreement sets out early services before the main construction appointment. These may include design input, programming or procurement advice. The scope, fee, use of design information and position if the project stops need to be clear; later construction work is not automatically guaranteed.
Separate the early appointment from the proposed construction terms. A pre-signing contract review can identify commitments requiring clarification before you start.
Worked example
The facts
A specialist agrees to prepare buildability advice for a £3,000 early-stage fee.
What happens
It records the outputs, payment milestones and permitted use of its information.
It confirms that a later installation package would need a separate agreement.
What this shows
The early services can be priced and delivered without assuming that the larger appointment will follow.