Alihankinta

Alihankinta, or subcontracting, is a business arrangement in which a primary contractor engages another company to perform part of the work that has been contracted with a client. The subcontractor provides specialized services or capacity to complete the project, while the primary contractor remains the main point of contact and bears overall responsibility to the client.

Subcontracting is common across industries such as construction, manufacturing, information technology, and services. The subcontractor typically operates under a contract with the main contractor, and may itself use sub-subcontractors for portions of the work. The main contractor generally remains responsible for meeting quality, schedule, and safety requirements set out in the original agreement with the client, and for ensuring that subcontractors comply with applicable laws and standards.

Key features of subcontracting arrangements include defined scope of work, pricing and payment terms, delivery schedules, and performance standards. Contracts may cover aspects such as warranties, insurance, liability for defects, confidentiality, intellectual property rights, change orders, and dispute resolution. Prequalification of subcontractors, timelines, quality control measures, and mechanisms for managing changes or delays are common elements to mitigate risk.

Benefits of alihankinta include access to specialized expertise, increased capacity, and potential cost efficiency. Risks involve quality control, coordination challenges, dependency on the subcontractor’s performance, and financial stability. Effective governance typically relies on clear contractual terms, robust supplier management, and proactive risk mitigation, including sequencing of responsibilities and contingency planning.

In Finland, alihankinta is governed by general contract law, with sector-specific regulations applying in certain fields. Practices and obligations may vary by industry and project type.