Even after the developer has been awarded, will the developer still look for a main contractor or does the developer build the project itself?

For almost all private condo developments in Singapore, the developer does not physically build the project itself. The usual structure is:

- The developer is the project owner: it buys the GLS land, appoints architects, engineers and other consultants, and arranges financing and marketing.
- A separate main contractor (a BCA‑registered general builder) is then appointed to construct the entire development, manage the site and coordinate all subcontractors.
- That main contractor will in turn appoint multiple sub‑contractors for specialist trades such as piling, structure, M&E, façade, landscaping, interior fit‑out and so on.

The main contractor is typically engaged after the land is awarded and the design has progressed enough for tender, although in some cases a design‑and‑build or negotiated arrangement is used, where a contractor is brought in earlier and handles both design and construction under one contract.

Only in relatively rare “develop‑and‑build” cases (for example, when a construction company also acts as developer using a related development arm) is the developer and builder effectively the same group, but even then the building arm is a separately licensed contractor.