Own The Build
Own the Build is the podcast for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Directors who want to sharpen their commercial edge and lead with confidence.
Hosted by Paul Heming, former Commercial leader and now co-founder of C-Link, each week’s conversation dives into the realities of modern commercial management — from procurement and contracts to digital transformation and leadership in construction.
Through honest discussions with industry leaders, forensic planners, and forward-thinking QSs, Paul explores how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry.
If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you build your advantage.
Own The Build
Question Time 4: Subcontracting Pressure, QS Career Advice, Design Management (EP 212.1)
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🎙️ 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 paul@c-link.com 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 paul@c-link.com 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.
Want to connect with Paul?
Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com 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.
