The Subcontractors Blueprint

How Can a Quantity Surveyor Transform Your Subcontracting Business Beyond Pricing?

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In episode 115 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin explores the vital role of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) for construction subcontractors. He explains how a QS goes far beyond pricing jobs, acting as a commercial guardian by supporting contract negotiation, risk management, cash flow forecasting, cost control, payment applications, change management, delay claims, final account strategies, and dispute resolution. Jacob emphasises how leveraging QS expertise can protect your business, improve profitability, and ensure timely payments. He encourages listeners to subscribe the show for more information to strengthen their subcontracting businesses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  •  A Quantity Surveyor (QS) offers far more than just pricing jobs—they act as a commercial guardian, helping subcontractors protect profitability and manage risk.
  •  A QS can review and negotiate subcontract terms, identifying and advising against unfair or high-risk clauses before you sign, which is crucial for business protection.
  •  Risk management is a core QS skill, including creating risk registers, analysing potential pitfalls, and developing strategies to mitigate financial and contractual risks.
  •  Effective cost planning and cash flow forecasting by a QS help prevent cash shortages, keep projects on budget, and enable strategic financial planning.
  •  QSs play a vital role in cost reporting, change management, and ensuring accurate, timely applications for payment—maximising entitlements and minimising money left on the table.
  •  A QS supports dispute resolution, prepares for adjudication if needed, and provides commercial strength in negotiations, ultimately helping subcontractors build more resilient, profitable businesses.

    • BEST MOMENTS:

    "A good QS can be like your commercial guardian, balancing their contractual knowhow, financial savvy, and onsite experience to protect your bottom line."

    "As I've said a few times on the show, after you sign, you're legally stuck with the obligations that you sign up to."

    "Less than 1 in 3 construction jobs ends up within 10% of its original budget, with the majority running over."

    "Properly managing changes is where subcontractors can either make or lose money."

    "These reviews are about catching problems before they snowball and capitalising on opportunities whilst they're fresh in everybody's mind."

    "If you're the kind of subcontractor who up until this point has been using QS just for estimating, you now know the full picture."

    Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on.

    HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to over £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

    LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

    Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/

    www.qs.zone/all-links

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    The Subcontractors BlueprintBy Jacob Austin