Own The Build

In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Mike Ashcroft (Co-Founder of EstimateOne) and Paddy Westbury (Estimating Director at Structure Tone) to explore the often misunderstood world of estimating – and its love/hate relationship with quantity surveying.

They dive into Paddy’s 40-year journey from sleepy PQS firms to the intensity of fast-track fit out, his reflections on Structure Tone’s explosive growth, and how modern estimators are evolving from number-pushers to project strategists. The trio unpack the cultural shift in tendering, what great QS–Estimator relationships look like, and why curiosity (plus owning your mistakes) might just be the best traits for the next generation of professionals.

If you’ve ever argued over a bill, blamed an estimator for a budget, or wondered who really owns procurement – this one’s for you.

🔗 Check the link below to download Paul’s free ebook:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Katie Taylor, Managing Quantity Surveyor, to explore what it really takes to raise the bar for commercial professionals in construction.

Katie shares how she entered the industry by chance as a receptionist, studied part-time to become a QS, and developed a deep passion for coaching and communication. Together, Paul and Katie discuss:

• Why coaching is critical for QSs and subcontractors alike
• The underestimated importance of soft skills and psychological safety
• How to handle difficult conversations with confidence
• What truly makes a “great” QS in today’s market
• The real impact of curiosity, communication, and mindset

If you’re managing or mentoring QSs — or are one yourself — this episode offers practical insights into how to grow a strong, competent commercial team.

🔗 Check the link below to download Paul’s free ebook:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.

!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!

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In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined once again by his co-founder and sidekick, Chris Barber, for another round of Question Time. This time, the duo dives deep into one of the most shocking industry stats of 2025: the QS workforce has dropped by over 30% in just 12 months.

Together, they unpack why so many quantity surveyors are leaving the industry and discuss the knock-on effects on teams, projects, and future recruitment. From Reddit threads to anecdotes about early careers, to the pressures of poor tech and endless conflict – this is a raw and honest look at the current commercial landscape.

They also answer a range of listener questions including:

• Should QSs be getting bonuses for value engineering?
• Does a WhatsApp chat really count as a legally binding contract?
• How to think about early career progression and finding the right company fit.

This is an essential listen for QSs of all levels looking to make sense of today's challenges and get ahead in a changing market.

🔗 Check the link below to download Paul’s free ebook:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.

!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!

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In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Munns, Head of Sales at BFT Mast Climbing Ltd — the UK’s leading provider of mast climbers.

You might think access equipment isn’t the most exciting topic in the world, but this conversation is a wake-up call for QSs, PMs, and operational teams. Paul and Rob unpack why the UK construction industry still defaults to scaffold — despite the cost, time, social impact, and program risks — and explore the commercial and operational business case for mast climbers.

Paul also reflects on his early career procuring scaffold on remediation jobs — and how little consideration was given to alternatives. With scaffold often the default spec, is the industry missing a massive value engineering opportunity?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why scaffold is the "comfort blanket" of the industry — and at what cost
• The major savings (cost, time, social impact) of mast climbers
• Why mast climbers aren’t used more — and how to challenge myths
• How QSs can build a business case for alternative access strategies
• What Rob learned from interviewing residents about life behind scaffold
• How curiosity and early engagement can unlock better decisions

🔗 Check the link below to download Paul’s free ebook:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.

!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!

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This week on Own the Build, Paul is joined by Dave Stitt, a leadership team coach with 25+ years of experience working with boards and senior project teams across the UK construction industry.

In this episode, Paul and Dave deep-dive into a subject that every QS, PM, and Director talks about—but few know how to actively build: Trust.

Together, they unpack:

🔍 Why trust is so often missing in project teams
📉 The cost of lip-service collaboration with subcontractors
📈 How QSs and leaders can actually build trustworthy relationships—on-site, in business, and beyond

Dave also shares a practical tool you can use with your team immediately:
👉 Download the Trustworthy Tracker

And if you want to explore Dave’s wider philosophy on leadership and performance, check out his book:
 👉 Deep and Deliberate Delegation on Amazon

This is a punchy and thoughtful episode—packed with real-world leadership insights that will resonate whether you're managing a project team or trying to move up the commercial ladder.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.

!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!

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In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by James Filus, Director at both the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) and the Institute of Carpenters (IOC), to unpack what competence really means in the context of construction today.

James shares the view from the front line of trade associations helping their members navigate the aftermath of Grenfell, the implications of the Building Safety Act, and the critical role of competency frameworks for subcontractors and individuals alike.

Together, they explore:

• What has changed legally – and culturally – post-Grenfell
• The hidden cost of proving competence across your supply chain
• How subcontractors can prepare to prove they’re competent (even without a formal definition)
• The commercial burden on QSs and buyers who now must assess more than just price and programme
• How to balance experience, qualification, and behavioural competence in procurement decisions

If you’ve ever asked, “What’s my responsibility here?” — this episode gives clarity, structure, and a forward-looking approach to Building Safety Act compliance.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 lively episode, Chris joins Paul again to tackle YOUR questions in the return of Question Time. From the realities of AI in construction to the headaches of back-to-back contracts, we dive into the heart of what QSs are really facing on site.

Highlights include:

• How AI is transforming tender analysis and improving subcontractor engagement.
• NEC vs JCT – which contract is most improperly administered?
• Back-to-back contracts: Are they practical or just punishment?
• The most misunderstood part of the QS role.
• And… what happens when a QS, a planner, and an architect get stuck in a lift?

Packed with practical insights, personal stories, and a touch of sarcasm, this episode is a must-listen for QSs, estimators, and project leaders.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 episode, Paul is joined by Andrea White, Independent Fire Engineer, Chartered Safety Professional, and one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction (2023). Andrea is also the founder of Women Talking Fire and a leading voice on fire safety strategy in a post-Grenfell landscape.

Together, Paul and Andrea unpack the critical implications of the Building Safety Act for quantity surveyors and procurement professionals.

💥 What do QSs need to do differently?
💡 Why is procurement now inseparable from safety strategy?
🔍 What is the role of the fire engineer — and why do QSs often overlook it?

This episode breaks down myths, reframes responsibilities, and offers practical advice on how commercial teams can support safety and compliance from Day One of a project.

Whether you’re a main contractor or a PQS, this is an essential listen.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 episode, Paul is joined by Kelvin Maye, Group Commercial Director at Guildmore Ltd, a £100m+ main contractor with an impressive growth trajectory.

Kelvin shares the story of his journey from graduate QS to group leadership and how Guildmore is actively reshaping its commercial and procurement strategies. They explore how Kelvin’s team is unlocking QS productivity, improving tender and contract governance, and critically, rebuilding trust in subcontractor relationships.

At the heart of this discussion is Guildmore’s recent Meet the Buyer Day—an open and honest initiative designed to reset how main contractors engage with their supply chain. Kelvin talks candidly about:

• Time pressures and antiquated procurement methods
• Risk management from tender stage onwards
• The cultural shift needed to treat subcontractors as partners
• The business case for investing in digital tools like C-Link
• Practical steps taken to make subcontractors feel heard

Whether you’re a QS, Commercial Director, or a subcontractor navigating the modern construction supply chain, this episode is packed with real talk, honest leadership, and practical advice.

🎧 Listen in to hear how Guildmore is leading by example—and why a little empathy goes a long way.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 episode 233, Paul welcomes Alice Graham, a chartered Quantity Surveyor turned Solution Specialist at Procore Technologies. Together, they unpack Alice’s career journey — from studying QS at Heriot-Watt University to working in consultancy, and eventually pivoting into construction technology.

Alice shares how her “skills inventory” helped her redefine her path, the case for becoming a visible role model in construction, and why QSs have more career options than they might realise — including tech, entrepreneurship, and even writing books. The conversation also covers:

• PQS vs. Main Contractor career paths
• Mid-career pivots for chartered surveyors
• The growing demand for domain expertise in ConTech
• How visibility, creativity, and content can shape your influence
• What the industry must change to retain top talent

This is a must-listen for anyone in Quantity Surveying who is questioning their next step — whether you're climbing the ladder or building a new one.

📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy.

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.