What is a building developer and would e have any input in the selection of the contractor?

Answer 1

I looked it up on Wikipedia, and there is some useful info there. I provided the link for you. -L

Answer 2

The building developer is generally the person or corporation that owns a piece of property & is "building out" the parcel of land w homes, shopping , etc to cash in on the investment they made some years back when they purchased the raw, undeveloped real estate.

In some cases the developer may actually be a contracting firm as well, &/or may choose whatever contractors they desire to be involved w actually constructing buildings & streets.