Own The Build

The Merger Special: Why C-Link and EstimateOne Joined Forces to Change Construction Register your interest for the Strategy Summit Event at the Churchill War Rooms on June 26th here - https://c-link.com/C-Link-Churchill-War-Rooms-Event In this special Thursday edition of Own the Build, Paul Heming is joined by all four co-founders from C-Link and E1 to announce something major: C-Link has official...

Register your interest for the Strategy Summit Event at the Churchill War Rooms on June 26th here - https://c-link.com/C-Link-Churchill-War-Rooms-Event --------------------- Today, Paul’s guest is Cian Brennan , Founder of Quantum Contract Solutions and now the author of his new book, The Subcontractor's Edge . Cian’s first appearance on the show was a real listener favourite — and today, he’...

Today, Paul’s guest is Dave Stitt , a Chartered Civil Engineer, Fellow of the CIOB, and one of the UK’s most respected leadership coaches in construction. With nearly five decades in the industry, Dave has worked with some of the country’s biggest firms, leading transformation programmes and coaching leadership teams at the highest level. In this episode, we talk about: 🎯 Leadership training in c...

Today, Paul’s guest is Dan Bradley , Managing Director at BPM Project Management in New Zealand and Founding Director at ConTech Solutions , a business focused on streamlining construction through digital transformation across Australia and New Zealand. In this episode, Paul and Dan explore a bold and under-discussed topic in construction: mental toughness—what it means, how to develop it, and why...

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 paul@c-link.com to have them fea...

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...

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 sha...

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 a...

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...

🎙️ 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 o...

🎙️ 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...

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 succes...

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...

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 contr...

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 paul@c-link.com to have them feat...

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 sha...

Today’s Paul meets Michael Green , Managing Director at RED Systems Ltd, a leading specialist contractor with four divisions: structural glazing, SFS design, digital innovation, and glazing engineering. The Cost of Tendering : Michael explains why each new tender costs his business £4,500 on average and how this impacts decisions between pursuing new projects and focusing on repeat clients. Transp...

Today's guest is Samuel Bawden , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Holmes & Hills. Sam returns to the show to unpack key legal cases from 2024 and explore their impact on construction professionals, including Quantity Surveyors and Contract Managers. 🔹 Collateral Warranties and Construction Contracts: Sam explains the Abbey Healthcare case and its debate on whether collateral war...

Today, Paul is joined by Scott Coulton , Founding Director of Nexus Consult, a boutique construction consultancy with offices in Manchester and London. Nexus Consult supports subcontractors, contractors, employers, and law firms across the UK and Middle East. Master the Construction Act: Scott explains how to navigate payment provisions and avoid costly mistakes with payment notices and applicatio...

In our latest listener-driven Question Time episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber delve into the most pressing challenges faced by QSs and construction professionals. Covering topics from variations to supply chain fairness, this is your go-to resource for practical advice and expert insights. 📅 Reminder: We’ll be hosting this Q&A episode once a month – send your questions to paul@c-link.com...

In this 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: Defining the Role of a Commercial Director What sets a Commercial Director apart from senior commercial managers, and how have the expectations of this role evolved over the years? Lessons from Role Models What behaviours and trai...

Today, Paul meets Rob Dean , a leading expert at the intersection of construction, arbitration, and technology. Rob shares his insights on how AI and blockchain might transform dispute resolution and what this means for the industry's future. Decentralised Arbitration : Rob introduces Kleros, a decentralised arbitration platform, and explains its innovative role in resolving disputes. The Tec...

Scaling a construction business is no small feat, but Greg Wilkes , Founder of Develop Coaching , has the blueprint to help you succeed.  In this episode, Greg shares his story of rebuilding after failure and reveals his proven framework to help businesses grow sustainably while maintaining profitability. Discover the Five Pillars of Success: Plan, Attract, Convert, Deliver, and Scale. Boost Your...

Procurement is one of construction’s biggest challenges, but Chris Mackenzie-Grieve has spent his career redefining how it’s done. From M&A to transforming delivery rates at the Ministry of Justice, Chris shares key lessons and innovations in procurement and value creation. Career Transformation: Chris discusses how his journey from trades to M&A reshaped his approach to procurement. The V...

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 fo...