Own The Build

• Question Time #5: Your Construction and QS Challenges Answered (EP 216.1)

  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!In this episode, we discuss:🧱 Developer-side moves – Is jumping from Main Contractor/Subbie to a Developer a smart career move for a QS? We share our take — and stories of QSs we know who’ve made the move.😬 Mistakes we’ve made – A listener calls us out for answering as if the world is perfect. Fair enough. So, we share some honest regrets, including “Charm School” moments and squeezing the supply chain too hard.📐 CDP Curveball – Director Kevin Anns throws us a contract scenario involving JCT, CDP and a named specialist. We break down how we’d approach it commercially.💬 What does a QS actually do? – A great question from Aleko. We share our two-line “QS pitch” for dinner parties (and yes, mugs may be coming for top questions 👀).📊 Building fair rates – Samuel asks how to create fair rates in a BOQ that protect the client and respect the contractor. A brilliant balance we unpack with tips.🏗️ Construction’s PR problem – Finally, we take on a big one: does domestic construction’s messy image hurt recruitment? We explore the difference between domestic vs. commercial, and how we’d fix the industry’s branding issues.📩 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 your Questions📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!Send us a textWant 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. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here. 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.

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• The Immune System of the Project: How QSs Can Protect Margin and Spot Risk Early (EP 216)

  Today, Paul is joined for the third time by Ray Mellor-Pike, a QS and Managing Director at RMP Consulting. Last time, Ray shared how FBI hostage negotiation tactics inform his approach to final account meetings. This time, he returns with another big idea: The Project Manager is the head of the project, but the Quantity Surveyor is the neck.Together, Paul and Ray break down the real influence of a great QS — not just as a cost controller, but as the immune system of the project, constantly scanning for risk, protecting margin, and steering the team away from trouble.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why the best QSs are proactive, forward-thinking, and commercially strategic.How to influence decisions and avoid margin erosion before problems grow.Communication tactics to build trust, manage egos, and avoid friction on site.What it means to be an interdepartmental glue on a project — and why it matters.How small decisions and subtle influence can win final account battles.Ray also shares a personal story about the first mistake that changed his whole approach to risk, and how he now positions himself as a commercial leader in final account negotiations.📩 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 your Questions📩 Have a question for Paul? Email [email protected] to have it answered in an upcoming episode!Send us a textWant 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. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here. 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.

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• The Softer Side of Contract Management: Lessons from the Real World (EP 215)

  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 SurveyingThe AI Revolution in Quantity SurveyingDownload them here - Free eBook Downloads.Send us a textWant 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. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here. 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.

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• Mastering FIDIC: How to Handle Claims, Payments & Disputes Like a Pro (EP 214)

  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 SurveyingThe AI Revolution in Quantity SurveyingDownload them here - Free eBook Downloads.Send us a textWant 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. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here. 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.

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• What to Do When a Client Refuses Practical Completion (EP 213)

  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 SurveyingThe AI Revolution in Quantity SurveyingDownload them here - Free eBook Downloads.Send us a textWant 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. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here. 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.

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