In our first-ever listener-driven Question Time episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber tackle your most pressing questions on Quantity Surveying, contract management, variations, and lessons learned. ? Reminder: We’ll be hosting this Q&A episode once a month – send your questions to paul@c-link.com to have them featured! What You’ll Learn: ? What Makes a Great QS?What skills are essential for a good QS, and how have employer expectations evolved with advances in technology? ? Managing Design-Based VariationsHow do you manage and verify variations when design-based works don’t produce visib ..read more

In this milestone episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber reflect on their Quantity Surveying careers, the origins of C-Link, and the evolution of Own the Build. What You’ll Learn: ? Lessons in Quantity SurveyingPaul shares career-defining moments: managing teams in his 20s, seminal moments and how certain projects shaped his outlook. ? The C-Link StoryThe challenges, milestones, and vision behind C-Link’s journey to becoming a leading digital procurement platform. ? The Rise of Own the BuildFrom standout episodes and memorable guests like Sarah Fox (LOIs) and Parag Prasad (time management) to l ..read more

In this unique episode, the tables are turned as Paul takes on questions from a listener-turned-interviewer, Matt, diving into both career advice and technical QS topics. From breaking down his career journey to offering insights into commercial management, Paul provides practical answers to questions submitted by listeners. ? Key Topics: Career Progression: Paul shares how he achieved rapid career growth and the key traits he looks for in staff. Impressing Your Boss: Simple strategies to stand out as a new starter or early-career QS. Getting What You're Worth: How to assess your value and co ..read more

In this episode, Paul is joined by Damian James, Director and Practicing Expert at Damian James Delay and Quantum Experts, to explore the dynamics of delay, disruption, and the importance of assertiveness in managing construction disputes. ? Key Topics: Challenges in Construction Culture: Damian discusses the cultural issues in construction, such as the reluctance to deliver bad news and the implications of saying ‘yes’ to everything, especially in relation to time bars and dispute escalation. The Power of Saying "No": Damian explains the importance of learning to say "no" at the right time t ..read more

In this episode, Paul is joined by Marcus Siddons, Director of Baker Wilkins & Smith, an international firm of construction consultants with a long history of working in the Middle East. Marcus shares insights from his family business, founded in 1955 and has grown significantly across the Gulf region, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Key Topics: Challenges in the Middle East Market: Marcus discusses the unique challenges of working in the Middle East, including getting paid, managing advanced payments, and navigating mobilisation fees. He also explains how contract frameworks in the ..read more

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ali Mafi, a project management expert with over 200 construction projects. Ali shares his insights on how adopting a continuous flow approach and rethinking time management can revolutionise construction project delivery. ? Key Topics: Batch Processing vs. Continuous Flow: Why traditional batch processing causes inefficiencies and how a flow-based system can accelerate projects and improve quality. The Satnav Approach to Time: Ali explains how focusing on elapsed time, like a satnav, can enhance project monitoring and reduce delays. Cost Reduction Through Ea ..read more

In this episode, Paul reunites with Richard Brackstone, a former Quantity Surveyor turned Consultant renowned for his innovative approach to providing executive-level support to construction companies, specialising in Risk Management and Commercial Best Practices. Returning after his insightful episode 117 appearance, Richard delves into Mitigation Obligations within Construction Contracts, offering a deep exploration similar to our previous discussion on Provisional Sums. Together, we unravel the complexities of mitigation strategies, covering acceleration, reasonable endeavours, best endeavo ..read more

This week, Paul is joined by Jon Watts, the Procurement and Supply Chain Director at Hayfield Homes. In today’s conversation, Paul and Jon discuss the relationship between the Procurement and Commercial Departments, and Jon explains how he manages collaboration between the two at Hayfield Homes. Across the episode, we discuss Jon’s unique approach to Supply Chain relationships, how his experience in the RAF shapes his approach to work and most importantly, the best tactics to maximise procurement returns in construction. -- Your free OTB downloads I’ve shared a link to the eBook here: Bey ..read more

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ryan, Chair of Deconstruction, an initiative to rebrand the construction industry to tackle its image problem. With insights from his career and a revealing YouGov survey, Ryan explains why 68% of the public wouldn’t consider a career in construction and what can be done to change that. ? Key Topics: Industry Perception Problems: Why construction is associated with negative terms like "strenuous" and "dirty" and how these misconceptions impact recruitment. Rebranding the Sector: How focusing on pay, diversity, and skilled roles can reshape construction's pub ..read more

In this episode, Paul is joined by Parm Bhangal, QS, an Entrepreneur, Construction Expert, Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, and founder of Bhangals Construction Consultants, to discuss the challenges of low tendering in construction. Pitfalls of Low Tenders: Parm explains why low tenders can be problematic, leading to inaccurate pricing, compromised quality, and hidden costs. Real-Life Example: Parm shares a story about a client who chose the lowest tender and the lessons learned from that experience. Lessons from Hospitality: Parm discusses what he’s learned from running a hospitality busine ..read more