Own The Build

Today, Paul’s guest is Jamie Mills, Managing Director at Signature Build, to explore the often overlooked but crucial human side of contract management in construction.

With a career that began in IT before transitioning into infrastructure project management and construction leadership, Jamie brings a unique perspective on how emotional intelligence, relationship management, and communication shape successful outcomes—both contractually and commercially.

🔹 The Reality of Goodwill in Construction: Jamie discusses the "bank of goodwill" myth and why assuming favours will be returned can be risky in contractual relationships.

🔹 Balancing Relationships and Contracts: How to strike the right balance between being contractually correct and maintaining positive, long-term client relationships.

🔹 Red Flags and Emotional Intelligence: Jamie explains how recognising early warning signs, managing stress, and adapting communication styles can defuse conflicts before they escalate.

🔹 Practical Strategies: From setting expectations early to managing final accounts with empathy, Jamie shares actionable tactics to help contractors, QSs, and PMs build trust and safeguard their businesses.

🔹 Post-Project Relationships: Jamie reflects on the importance of maintaining reputation and relationships long after the final payment is made.

🎙️ Don’t miss this insightful conversation that blends practical experience with emotional intelligence—essential listening for anyone working with clients, contracts, and construction teams.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

Today, Paul’s guest is Frans Taljaard, FIDIC Contracts Manager at Gleeds in Lisbon and founder of Clause 20, a consultancy focused on FIDIC training and contract management. Frans has extensive experience managing FIDIC contracts across Europe and the Middle East, supporting contractors in claims, payments, and disputes.

🔹 Understanding FIDIC Contracts: Learn where FIDIC is most commonly used and how it differs from JCT & NEC contracts.

🔹 Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Discover the biggest mistakes contractors make under FIDIC and how to protect your interests in tender negotiations.

🔹 Managing Claims & Payments: Get expert advice on handling claims, variations, and payment mechanisms under FIDIC.

🔹 Dispute Resolution in FIDIC: Explore how the Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) works compared to UK adjudication.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

Practical Completion (PC) is one of the most critical and contentious milestones in any construction project. But what happens when a client refuses to grant it? In this episode, Bill Barton, Director at Barton Legal, joins Paul to discuss real-world disputes over PC and how contractors can protect themselves.

🔹 Understanding Practical Completion: How is PC defined, and why does ambiguity create major issues?

🔹 When Clients Withhold PC: What are the commercial and legal implications for contractors?

🔹 The Opposite Problem – Partial Possession: What happens when a client wants to occupy a building early, but the contract doesn’t allow it?

🔹 Strategies for Contractors: Key contract negotiation tactics, documentation best practices, and lessons from case law to avoid PC disputes.

🎙️ Don’t miss this expert discussion on navigating one of construction’s most frustrating challenges.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 212.1 of Own the Build — our fourth Question Time Special, where Paul and Chris answer listener-submitted questions on commercial, contractual, and career-related issues in the construction industry.

These episodes drop once a month on a Thursday — and as ever, if you've got a question, email [email protected] or message Paul on LinkedIn and it could feature in the next one.

In this month’s Q&A, Paul tackles these brilliant listener questions, including real-world dilemmas and technical challenges faced by Quantity Surveyors and construction professionals:

🧠 1. Subcontracting Pressure & Risky Contracts:
What should small subcontractors do when they’re pressured to sign unfair contracts with no room for negotiation?

💼 2. How to Earn More as a QS:
One QS asks whether getting chartered, shifting sectors, or building pre-contract experience is the right way forward. Paul gives honest, strategic advice.

🔀 3. Struggling to Find Your QS Path – Contract or Cost?
If you lean more toward contract management and less toward number crunching, which route is right for you? Consultancy vs Contractor explored.

🧱 4. Scope Gaps and Interface Risks:
What are the common scope gaps in trades like brickwork, plastering, and architectural features? And how do you avoid getting caught out?

📐 5. Design Comments vs Design Change – Where’s the Line?
We break down Schedule 1, Clause 2 of JCT D&B — and explain how to respond when architects request design changes that aren’t really contractually justified.

🔥 Whether you're new to QS or 20 years deep, this is a value-packed episode full of practical insights you can use straight away.

📩 Want your question answered next month? Email [email protected] or message on LinkedIn!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

🎙️ Today’s guest is Chris Barber, a returning favourite on the show and someone who needs no introduction for many of our listeners. Chris is a former top-level QS with a sharp eye for practical improvements in construction project delivery and contract management.

Contract Audits Made Simple:
Paul and Chris dive into a tool that’s been quietly circulating among the Own the Build community—Paul’s Contract Audit Document. Designed to distil a 1,000-page contract into 3–4 actionable pages, this episode is all about how to make contract documents accessible and usable for your entire team.

Key Talking Points:

• The Power of the Contract Audit: Learn how simplifying your contract into a 3-page operational guide could prevent major site-level issues.
• Real-World Lessons: Chris and Paul share stories from major projects like Battersea and Putney, reflecting on the cost of poor contract understanding.
• Boosting Commercial Awareness: How to build commercially-minded site teams and embed contract knowledge across your project team.
• EOTs, Payments & Scope: Deep-dive into the most common causes of contractual disputes—and how to get them right from day one.

💡 Whether you’re a QS, PM, or delivery manager, this episode gives you practical tactics to upskill your team and avoid costly contract pitfalls.

📩 Want the free Contract Audit Document? Email [email protected] or message him on LinkedIn and he’ll send it over!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

Today, Paul’s guest is David Moreland, a Chartered Civil Engineer, Accredited NEC Project Manager, and Expert Consulting Engineer at MoreConsult Limited. David specialises in project planning, delay analysis, and expert witness work, helping construction professionals navigate complex claims and project delivery challenges.

🔹 Project Planning Fundamentals: Learn the critical elements of a successful project program and why getting the basics right can prevent costly delays.

🔹 Understanding the Critical Path & Delay Analysis: Discover how to properly establish the critical path and when to use retrospective vs. time impact analysis.

🔹 Prolongation Costs & EOT Claims: Gain expert insights into calculating prolongation costs, preparing strong Extension of Time (EOT) claims, and avoiding common pitfalls.

🔹 The Planner-QS Relationship: Explore why collaboration between planners and QSs is key to successfully quantifying and defending delay claims.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

Today, Paul’s guest is Len Bunton, Founder of Bunton Consulting, Vice Chairman of Scottish Mediation, and Chairman of the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) Commercial and Procurement Group. Len returns for his third Own the Build episode to tackle one of the biggest challenges in construction—conflict avoidance.

🔹 Conflict Avoidance Week 2025 – What is it, and why should the industry take notice?

🔹 Mastering Payment Applications – The role of email tracking, follow-ups, and direct communication in getting paid on time.

🔹 Collaboration or Just a Buzzword? – What genuine collaboration looks like and how to implement it.

🔹 The Design Responsibility Dilemma – Why does design liability cause so many disputes, and how can it be structured better?

🔹 The Conflict Avoidance Coalition Update – The latest progress in driving industry-wide change and how to get involved.

💡 If you’re tired of disputes draining time and money from projects, this episode is packed with practical solutions for building a more collaborative and conflict-free industry.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.

Unnecessary contract amendments create confusion, disputes, and inefficiencies across the construction industry. In this episode, Paul's guest is Sarah Fox, a leading expert in construction law and conflict avoidance, to discuss why simplifying contracts is essential for better project outcomes.

🔹 The Conflict Avoidance Pledge: Learn how the RICS initiative drives a cultural shift in contract management.

🔹 The Case Against Onerous Amendments: Why excessive changes to standard forms cause more harm than good—and how to challenge them.

🔹 Changing Industry Behaviours: Discover practical steps to promote fairness, transparency, and early intervention in contract negotiations.

🔹 Conflict Avoidance Tools: Get insights into the Contract Toolkit and the RICS Conflict Avoidance Process (CAP) as alternatives to adjudication.

🎙️ Don’t miss this essential discussion on how to reduce disputes and improve collaboration in construction.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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 our latest listener-driven Question Time episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber dive into your pressing Quantity Surveying and construction challenges. From late payments to navigating design disputes, this episode is packed with actionable advice for industry professionals.

📅 Reminder: We’ll be hosting this Q&A episode once a month – send your questions to [email protected] to have them featured!

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 Managing Late Payment Applications
Discover how to handle subcontractors’ late applications while adhering to strict payment schedules.

🔹 Ensuring Spec-Compliant Quotes
Explore effective methods to ensure subcontractor bids align with project specifications and avoid future disputes.

🔹 Dealing with Acceleration Instructions
Learn how to respond to acceleration instructions from main contractors, including protecting your position under JCT contracts.

🔹 Claiming Loss of Profit on Variations
Gain insights on managing significant scope omissions and the potential to claim for loss of profit.

🎉 Exclusive Giveaway
To celebrate 200 episodes, download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

Download them here - Free eBook Downloads.

📩 Have a question for Question Time? Email [email protected] 

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.

Today, Paul's guest is Keith Kelliher, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Accredited Adjudicator, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Expert Witness at Kelliher and Associates. With a career steeped in construction disputes and conflict resolution, Keith joins us to share his unique perspective on improving communication and collaboration in the industry.

🔹 The Adversarial Nature of Construction:
Keith shares his reflections on why the industry remains so adversarial and its toll on businesses and individuals. Learn practical steps to foster a more collaborative culture.

🔹 Lessons from 2024’s Adjudications:
Hear about standout cases from 2024 and the recurring mistakes that lead to disputes. Keith provides actionable advice on how to avoid them and highlights the critical role of communication.

🔹 Expanding the Role of the QS:
Keith challenges traditional perceptions of Quantity Surveyors as cost-cutting enforcers. Discover how QSs can evolve into proactive collaborators, driving harmony rather than conflict.

🔹 Over-Reliance on Emails and Fear of Talking:
Keith discusses the growing problem of email dependence and its impact on relationships. Learn how QSs can regain interpersonal skills and build stronger connections through direct communication.

🎙️ Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode packed with insights to improve communication, foster collaboration, and redefine the role of the QS in construction.

📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Download your free eBooks:

• Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying
• The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying

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.