Own The Build

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber. Chris is a Co-Founder at Prosper, a platform helping subcontractors to scale their business and also a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub. 

In today’s conversation, Chris talks about how main contractors need to start managing subcontractors with empathy and, if they do not, why subcontractors should push back. Chris has worked as a Main and Subcontract QS and leans into his experience on both sides to share his best practice advice.

A must-listen for all Quantity Surveyors and anyone doing procurement.

Your free OTB downloads

As promised at the top of the show - I’ve shared some links to free downloads on templates and guides we wrote below:

• Vesting Certificate Template
• EoT Template
• Guide to the JCT Design and Build Contract

If there are other documents you’d like us to share/produce. Please get in touch with me at [email protected].

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Dale Sinclair, the Head of Digital Innovation at WSP. Many of you will know WSP, but if you don’t, WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, with 42000 employees across 40+ countries.

In today’s conversation, Dale explains the term ‘Kit-of-parts’ and its relevance to us in the construction sector. Across the conversation, Dale explains how a kit-of-parts will change the way we work and what it might do to the role of the Architect and the QS moving forward.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Chris Ritson, Senior Risk & Uncertainty Consultant at Safran, a software company building a unified project management solution to help organisations confidently tackle complex capital projects.

Chris is an out-and-out risk expert, and Paul wanted to interview him to fully understand the difference between how a Risk Manager and a QS manage risks and what QS’ could learn.

Across the episode, we cover parametric modelling, Montecarlo simulations and best practice when managing risks and opportunities. Chris advises best setting up projects and project teams to manage risks. If you work construction risks - you really should listen in.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Ian Hepstinall, an Associate Professor in Project Management at the University of Birmingham, a coach, an advisor, and the Author of the Executive Guide to Breakthrough Project Management.

Ian is a firm believer in changing the industry. In this conversation, he shares his slightly radical thoughts on changing the industry’s mentality and approach to project management. Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.” Ian thinks that the construction industry is doing just that.

This episode will give you real food for thought if you are a construction professional.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market. At C-Link, we completed a survey that found that 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Tim Danson, Technical Director of Sustainability at WSP in the UK. Many of you will know WSP, but if you don’t, WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, with over 60,000 employees across 40+ countries.

In today’s conversation, Tim talks about how in 2022, humans used a year’s worth of the earth’s resources in just seven months and how he believes the circular economy can help us. Tim’s passion for the circular economy and how it can change the way we work as a sector is evident, and we talk about the business case for us all moving towards it.

The article Paul refers to in the podcast is available to read here.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market. At C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, Media and Comms Lead for the think tank Autonomy and former advisor to the Shadow Chancellor.

Joe is leading the campaign for a four-day, 32-hour working week with no loss of pay, which he argues would benefit workers and employers. In this thought-provoking conversation, Joe lays out the benefits of the 4-day working week for all and then discusses how it could and if it could work in construction - particularly in the context of time-based pay (i.e. day works on site and charging per hour as a consultant).

Here’s the link to the report on a 4-day working week in construction.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Angela Mansell, Managing Director at Mansell Build, one of the UK’s longest-established and most experienced sub-contractors in the field of SFS, plastering, partitioning, dry-lining and rendering.

In today’s conversation, Angela describes her experiences of how main contractors generally treat sub-contractors - what works, what doesn’t work and how she would change the industry. Across the episode, we cover how her supply chain management approach is different from that of main contractors and how she wants them to change.

If you are a Main Contract or Subcontract QS, this episode will provide you with real food for thought and is a must-listen.

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Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Simon Robinson, a Quantity Surveyor and the Director at Subport, an Award Winning Quantity Surveying Consultancy Supporting Subcontractors to secure their profits.

In today’s conversation, Simon and Paul debate how to improve the relationship between Main Contractors and Subcontractors. Across the episode, we discuss how Main Contractors can better manage Subcontractors and the top 10 commercial tricks that both sides should be mindful of before signing a contract.

If you are a Main Contract or Subcontract QS, this episode will provide you with real food for thought and is a must-listen.

--

Are you struggling with a lack of Quantity Surveyors?

A recent RICS Survey found that 54% of main contractors reported insufficient numbers of Quantity Surveyors available in the market, and at C-Link, we completed a survey that found 80% of companies find it challenging to recruit QS at the moment.

Are you one of those companies?

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Main Contractors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Book a demo to learn more by clicking here.  

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

This week, Paul is joined by Patricia Haywood, the Director and Commercial Lead at Haywood Consulting, a construction consultancy leveraging contracts to drive profits. Patricia is a lawyer, QS, adjudicator, mediator, and much more.

In this highly insightful episode, Patricia and Paul debate what “getting the contract right” means for Main Contractors and how this is different for subcontractors. Across the conversation, we touch on back-to-back contracts, variations and tender submissions.

Patricia’s experience as both a lawyer and a Quantity Surveyor places her perfectly to give some candid advice on how construction projects should be managed commercially.

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Want a demo of C-Link’s new feature?

Over the last few weeks, Paul has talked about C-Link’s procurement software which saves QS’ 600 hours per project. If you are short on time or QS - you really should see it! 

Book a demo by clicking here. 

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this landmark episode, Own the Build has a first in having three special guests in the studio. Paul is joined by Katie Hathaway (Head of Business Engagement and Communications), Natalie King (Operations Director) and Nicola Bird (Managing Director) at AccXel, the UK’s first industry-led, co-funded construction school.

In this funny and heart-warming conversation, Katie, Natalie and Nicola talk about their inspiration for founding AccXel being to save a family business and that this is now the wider industry: 

“AccXel is not just a training school; it is an ideology based on experience, data, strong values and the aspiration of future-proofing the industry.”

The work being done at AccXel is genuinely phenomenal, and all in construction should want to understand it better. As promised, you can find links to our guest's LinkedIn profiles below:

• Katie
• Natalie
• Nicola

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Want a demo of C-Link’s new feature?

C-Link’s procurement software saves QS’ 600 hours per project. If you are short on time or QS's - you really should see it! 

Book a demo with paul at [email protected] or by clicking here.

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.