This week, Paul is joined by Michelle du Plessis , Managing Director and Co-founder at Shft , a leading one-stop BIM agency working with SMEs across the country to take the opportunities of BIM and digital technology. In today’s show, Paul and Michelle talk about BIM. Michelle is a genuine expert in the space, and we discuss where we are up to with BIM, how things are changing and how Michelle and her team at Shft help contractors, especially SMEs, start to impact their bottom line with BIM. A m...
Nov 20, 2023•39 min•Ep. 144
This week, Paul is joined by an experienced Construction Solicitor, Samuel Bawden , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Holmes & Hills . Samuel is also the Chair at Constructing Excellence Essex, and like the rest of us, he is highly passionate about construction. In today’s show, Paul and Samuel discuss the options contractors have at their disposal when they are not being paid. If you’re not being paid and want to know what can/can’t be done, what processes are available to you and w...
Nov 13, 2023•48 min•Ep. 143
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper , and also a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . In today’s conversation, Paul introduces the first episode of a new 4-weekly series titled The Future of Contracting. In today’s episode, we explore an eBook that Paul recently wrote titled Why Main Contractors seriously need a Tender Strategy . In the eBook and the show, we ...
Nov 06, 2023•37 min•Ep. 142
This week, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, Managing Director at Quantum Contract Solutions , a company giving “contractual superpowers to construction companies”. Cian helps contractors navigate the choppy waters of construction projects and contracts and provides expert advice. In this contractually focused conversation, we discuss the difference between Liquidated Damages and Consequential Damages and how you must negotiate both at the tender stage and throughout the contract's lifecycle. As a...
Oct 30, 2023•39 min•Ep. 141
In the studio today, I am joined by Gavin Coyle , CEO of Coyle Group , a Group of Companies serving the safety sector in the construction industry. Gavin is a thought leader, speaker, and safety mentor and holds a level 9 MBS in workplace Safety from DCU, a Diploma in Safety, a Certificate in Law, and a Diploma in Corporate Governance. In today’s conversation, Gavin talks about his experience in the Construction Industry, the regular pushback from Commercial and Procurement teams regarding Healt...
Oct 23, 2023•41 min•Ep. 140
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Dan Macpherson , Executive Director at Henry Riley , who is industry-leading in Construction Consultancy, cost management, health and safety and project management services. In today’s conversation, Dan talks about Emotional Intelligence in team management, project management and commercial management and how he applies his own Emotional Intelligence to successfully execute projects. Dan sees Emotional Intelligence as not just a way to improve profit margin...
Oct 16, 2023•51 min•Ep. 139
In the studio today, I am joined by Abbie Chisnall , a construction solicitor at Holmes & Hills Solicitors . Abbie is a Construction Lawyer who helps construction companies to avoid costly disputes and keep the money flowing within the industry. In today’s conversation, Abbie shares how more and more she sees wrongful termination impact Construction Contracts. Most construction contracts contain termination clauses that give parties the right to terminate in certain circumstances. However, A...
Oct 09, 2023•41 min•Ep. 138
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Peter Jackson , the Managing Director of Seddon Housing Partnerships, a family-owned Main Contractor, now in its 125th year, operating across the Northwest. Peter is a keen listener of the show and got in touch to talk about the supply chain, how main contractors should manage them and changes he’s made to how Seddon works off the back of listening to some of the shows. In today’s conversation, Peter shares how he has recently pivoted the way he manages his...
Oct 02, 2023•45 min•Ep. 137
In the studio today, I am joined by Connor Mennell . Connor is a Construction solicitor specialising in transactional and contentious dispute work at Gordons LLP . Connor has negotiated and advised on the terms of building contracts and knows the JCT and NEC standard forms. Connor also has experience resolving disputes through litigation, adjudication and mediation and providing commercial advice during ongoing projects to avoid formal disputes. In today’s conversation, Connor talks about Collat...
Sep 25, 2023•38 min•Ep. 136
This week, Paul is joined by Martin Paver , CEO and Founder of Projecting Success , a passionate team of visionaries, project managers and data scientists on a mission to change how we deliver projects. Invited back onto the show a year after his first visit on Episode 88, Martin talks about how AI and Machine Learning are impacting the construction industry today and how they will change the future role of the Quantity Surveyor. Across this fascinating conversation, you get a real insight into ...
Sep 18, 2023•50 min•Ep. 135
This week, Paul is joined by Carlene Goodearl , the Lead Commercial Manager at Anchor , a provider of specialist housing and a Board Member at Women in Social Housing . Carlene is a construction manager turned commercial manager. In today’s show, we discuss her journey in construction and focus heavily on her role as a client-side QS, discussing how to manage her Main Contract Supply Chain and the pre-construction phase, including the handover from Estimator to QS. Your free OTB download As prom...
Sep 11, 2023•38 min•Ep. 134
This week, Paul is joined by Peter Searle , Founder of Searle Management Consulting , a consultancy focused on making Contracting businesses more and more profitable. In today’s show, Paul and Peter discuss project delays - the Delay and Disruption Protocol drafted by the Society of Construction Law, As-Planned vs. As-Built and how to submit a successful extension of time claim. If you are on a project with delays (basically everyone!), wrap your ears around this episode to improve your chance o...
Sep 04, 2023•42 min•Ep. 133
This week, Paul is joined by Andrew Knight , Global Data & Tech Lead at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) , who I think everyone will have heard of. Andrew is a highly experienced technology specialist and is currently leading the program to develop, enhance and gain adoption of RICS’ Data Standards. In today’s show, Paul and Andrew discuss how a Quantity Surveyor’s skillset is already changing regarding cost estimation, take-offs and more while focusing on Chat GPT and a rec...
Aug 28, 2023•43 min•Ep. 132
This week, Paul is joined by an experienced Construction Solicitor, Samuel Bawden , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Holmes & Hills . Samuel is also the Chair at Constructing Excellence Essex, and like the rest of us, he is highly passionate about construction. In today’s show, Paul and Samuel discuss common legal and commercial issues in construction contracts and the mistakes contractors often make. Your free OTB download Have you ever wished you could summarise a contract in a co...
Aug 21, 2023•45 min•Ep. 131
This week, Paul is joined by Len Bunton , the Founder of Bunton Consulting, Vice Chairman of Scottish Mediation, and Chairman of their Excellence in Mediation Committee. Len is also currently the Chairman of the Construction Industry Collective Voice , Commercial and Procurement Group. In today’s show, Len talks passionately about the Conflict Avoidance Pledge , a pledge championed by the RICS and signed by many industry leaders to recognise the importance of conflict avoidance on projects. Len ...
Aug 14, 2023•38 min•Ep. 130
This week, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, Managing Director at Quantum Contract Solutions , a company giving “contractual superpowers to construction companies”. Cian helps contractors navigate the choppy waters of construction projects and contracts and provides expert advice. In this contractually focused conversation, we discuss two real-life examples of contractors getting into a pickle. One is where they were told by the client to wrap multiple variations into a single agreement, and then ...
Aug 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 129
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Owen Drury , a QS and now the Co-Founder of Bilt Renovation , a contractor bringing Residential Home Construction into The 21st Century. In today’s conversation, Owen and I discuss the future of construction. Owen hosts the Bricks & Bytes Podcast interviewing construction technology founders and understands what it takes for technology to break through and what is coming. We talk about how main contractors, subcontractors and construction professionals ...
Jul 31, 2023•37 min•Ep. 128
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Sean Bradley , Contract & Commercial Management Consultant at SB Consultancy . Sean is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, a Fellow of the RICS and has over 30 years of project & commercial management experience on major Civils & Building projects. In today’s conversation, Sean and I discuss claim strategy. What do I mean by this? We have talked about records in recent weeks, and this fits into a more comprehensive process of how you can prepare your...
Jul 24, 2023•46 min•Ep. 127
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Michelle Hands , a Construction Engineer👷♀️Public speaker 📣 Filmmaker & Content Creator and the Director of She who dares, WINS. Michelle has spent the last 16 years as a Construction Engineer/land Surveyor and, in addition to that, is now dedicating her time to help empower and inspire women who work in traditionally male-dominated fields with her She who dares WINS platform and YouTube channel . In today’s honest conversation, Michelle shares some ...
Jul 17, 2023•39 min•Ep. 126
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Guy Jackson , who is the Founding Partner at Overford , a chartered quantity surveying practice that specialises in problem-solving complex construction and engineering matters. Guy is a Fellow of the RICS and the CIArb and holds a BSc in Construction Commercial Management, an MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, and a Graduate Diploma in Law. In today’s conversation, Guy and I debate the best strategies for both Main and Subcontractors when the ...
Jul 10, 2023•42 min•Ep. 125
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Chirag Shah for something different a bit different. Chirag is a recruitment expert, founder, and principal consultant at PACE Global, a Project Controls Recruitment Expert ( View the Community Website Here ). Chirag is a construction recruiter with almost 20 years of experience in Project Control and Commercial roles. Chirag’s mission is to deliver clients the best quality Project Controls personnel and help graduate to director-level employees progress in...
Jul 03, 2023•39 min•Ep. 124
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 his recent Open Letter to the Construction Minister backing Project Bank Accounts to protect against the growing crisis of construction insolvencies for SMEs. We debate what a Project Bank Account is, whet...
Jun 26, 2023•37 min•Ep. 123
In this episode, Paul is joined by Sarah Fox , a construction contract expert and Director at 500 Words , who deliver simple digital trust-enhancing contracts to put construction companies in control. In today’s conversation, we talk about Letters of Intent. Have you ever written a letter of intent in a hurry on a Friday afternoon because works HAVE to start on a Monday If you have, you need to listen to the show. We discuss what Letters of Intent are, what common errors contractors make with th...
Jun 19, 2023•40 min•Ep. 122
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Emma Stewart , MBE, Co-Founder at TimeWise . Emma is a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with people, policymakers and businesses to tackle inequalities, improve the world of work and deliver tangible social impact. Emma is passionate about inspiring social change and contributes to numerous government task forces, reports and initiatives, and is a regular media commentator on how to shape better, fairer labour markets and raise f...
Jun 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 121
In the studio today, I am joined by Connor Mennell . Connor is a Construction solicitor specialising in transactional and contentious dispute work at Gordons LLP . Connor has negotiated and advised on the terms of building contracts and knows the JCT and NEC standard forms. Connor also has experience resolving disputes through litigation, adjudication and mediation and providing commercial advice during ongoing projects to avoid formal disputes. In today’s conversation, Connor talks of his exper...
Jun 05, 2023•38 min•Ep. 120
In the studio today, Paul is joined by Yosof Ewing . Yosof is Head Coach at The Contract Coach, who advises construction businesses that wish to work differently and avoid disputes before they happen. Yosof has a wealth of experience as an Expert Witness, Mediator, and Adjudication Party Representative and is a Fellow of the Institute of Construction Claims Practitioners. In today’s conversation, we focus on how to avoid disputes by being the party with better records. We discuss how record keep...
May 29, 2023•42 min•Ep. 119
In the studio today, we have Lawrence Pearce , a construction solicitor at Holmes & Hills Solicitors . Lawrence is a Construction Lawyer who helps construction companies to avoid costly disputes and keep the money flowing within the industry. Lawrence is a contract law episode, and everyone should follow him on LinkedIn for fantastic insight. In today’s conversation, we focus on Entire Agreement clauses, which Lawrence has seen become a bigger and bigger problem in the sector. Do you know wh...
May 22, 2023•38 min•Ep. 118
In the studio today, we have Richard Brackstone , CEO of RB Management and Consulting Ltd . Richard is a QS turned consultant who’s unique consultancy has an innovative approach providing specialist, executive-level support to companies in construction with a focus on Risk Management and Commercial Best Practices. In this focused episode on Provisional Sums, Richard explains what Provisional Sums are, how they are different from PC sums and how to use both defined and undefined provisional sums....
May 15, 2023•45 min•Ep. 117
In the studio today, we have Daniel Parker, the UK Country Manager for easyToolhire , a platform that simplifies the rental of tools, equipment and machinery. Daniel is a serial entrepreneur interested in blockchain and property and generally doing some good and is currently growing the easyToolhire here in the UK. In this fascinating episode, Daniel explains easyToolhire’s unique business model and talks about his experience of trying to innovate and breakthrough in the construction industry. W...
May 08, 2023•39 min•Ep. 116
This week, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, Managing Director at Quantum Contract Solutions , a company giving “contractual superpowers to construction companies”. Cian helps contractors navigate the choppy waters of construction projects and contracts and provides expert advice. In this contractually focused conversation, we discuss two real-life examples of contractors who were either not being paid for a variation or for an extension of time (two things I’m sure most people are familiar with!)...
May 01, 2023•54 min•Ep. 115
