Experienced subcontractors have told the Enquirer that tendering for jobs at the moment is “like the Wild West”.

And established suppliers claim problems are being exacerbated by inexperienced QSs accepting lowest bids from subcontractors without carrying-out proper checks on the ability of firms to deliver.

One modular specialist said: “It’s like it in virtually every sector but a particular problem in my game.

“We are an established firm with a track record of delivery. But recently we are losing out to bids which are just ridiculous.

“These firms low-balling are virtual zombie businesses desperate to get some money in at any cost with no real chance of seeing out the contract.

“It’s then made worse by inexperienced QSs who think they are being clever securing a low price bid.

“They aren’t even doing basic credit checks or visiting factories and offices to check if these firms can deliver what they claim.”

Another specialist said: “When a supplier goes belly-up it costs the main contractors a fortune. It’s a total false economy .

“Bidding for a job properly is a science but loads of firms are just inventing a number and QSs are blinded by a low bid and say yes.

“These QSs need to wise up or they are storing-up massive problems for their employers.”