Custom made housing in Japan and the growth of the super subcontractor

This paper considers the relationship between the major Japanese industrialized housing suppliers and their subcontractors. It describes the different types of contractor and subcontractor, indicating their role in customer liaison, design and delivery on site. It explains the different supply networks for materials supply, and it concludes with a description of the emergent role of what have been called ‘super subcontractors’. These super subcontractors are offering a more efficient route to the delivery of works on site for both industrialized and traditional housing producers. Their role appears to be transforming the organization and costs of delivery.