The three main FIDIC 2017 forms solve the same problem — a balanced construction contract — but allocate design, price and risk differently. Compare them side by side and know what to expect in your tender.
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Criterion
Red Book · Construction
Yellow Book · Plant & Design-Build
Silver Book · EPC / Turnkey
Essence
Traditional construction: the Employer designs, the Contractor builds.
The Contractor designs and builds against the Employer’s Requirements.
Turnkey EPC: the Contractor answers for everything — from design to handover with guaranteed performance.
Design responsibility
Mainly the Employer (through the Engineer); the Contractor only designs specified elements.
The Contractor, with a fitness-for-purpose obligation under Clause 5.
Entirely the Contractor, including verification of the Employer’s input data.
Price basis
Usually remeasurement against a BoQ: actual quantities are paid.
Lump sum with scheduled/milestone payments.
Fixed lump sum with minimal adjustment — certainty is paid for through a price premium.
Risk allocation
Balanced: risk sits with the party best able to manage it.
Balanced, but design risk sits with the Contractor.
Maximum transfer to the Contractor: more risks carry no claim entitlement.
Unforeseeable conditions (4.12)
Entitle the Contractor to EOT and Cost via the 20.2 claims procedure.
Same as the Red Book — the risk stays mainly with the Employer.
Generally the Contractor’s risk: unexpected ground is its problem and its price.
Contract administration
The Engineer: certifies payment, runs 3.7 determinations, must act neutrally.
Also the Engineer — the same neutral role as in the Red Book.
No Engineer: the contract is run by the Employer’s Representative.
Typical use
Roads, bridges, water supply, civil works with an Employer design.
Plant, E&M, treatment facilities — where performance output matters.
Power and infrastructure under project finance (BOT/IPP), where hard price and time certainty is required.
MDB projects (WB, ADB, EBRD)
The de facto standard: MDB bidding documents build on the Red Book (previously the Pink Book).
Used for design-build components and performance-based contracts.
Rare in classic MDB tenders — its risk profile is considered too one-sided.
When NOT to use it
When the Employer has no design or wants a single point of responsibility.
When the Employer wants full control over design decisions.
With poor input data or a competitive contractor market — the risk premium becomes prohibitive.
Reference comparison based on the 2017 editions. The Particular Conditions of a specific contract may change the standard allocation — always check the actual text.