Taking the Con out of Construction

In the season two finale of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr brings together the core themes to address one defining issue: the gap between reactive, outdated practices and true commercial maturity. Across the season, we’ve explored cash flow, contracts, systems, accountability, leadership, and risk. This episode connects the dots — showing how these challenges are not isolated pr...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores where real influence in construction truly comes from, and why job titles alone rarely tell the full story. Michelle explains how authority on site is earned through experience, decision-making, and the ability to perform under pressure. She also examines the barriers women still face in gaining that influence, including...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr challenges the way construction talks about diversity, and reframes the conversation around something far more commercially powerful: diverse thinking. Drawing on her lived experience in a male-dominated industry, alongside clinical diagnoses including bipolar disorder, ADHD and complex PTSD, Michelle speaks candidly about what t...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores a subject that is both deeply personal and professionally urgent: belonging. Reflecting on her own journey; building a freelance career, moving frequently as a single parent, and recognising that her daughter’s sense of belonging was closely tied to her own stability, resilience and identity, Michelle examines how confid...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr delivers a clear and uncompromising message: construction isn’t failing because of a lack of talent or ideas, it’s failing because poor practice has been allowed to become normal. Chaos has been tolerated. Corners have been cut. Responsibility has been dodged. Over time, these behaviours have been dismissed as “just how the indus...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr exposes one of the most costly and avoidable mistakes in the industry: rushing to site before the foundations of the project are truly ready. Too many construction projects are effectively set up to fail before work even begins. Contracts are skim-read, designs are poorly coordinated, commercial risks are underestimated, and team...

In this episode of Taking the Con out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice on commercial protection — and why failing to protect your commercial position quietly destroys margin, cash flow, and control for contractors and construction business owners. Michelle gets straight to the uncomfortable truth most construction businesses only learn the hard way: if y...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on avoiding crisis and protecting investments. Going straight to the sharp end of the industry, she draws on decades of experience rescuing failing projects and supporting funders and developers under pressure. Michelle explains how mos...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on identifying hidden risks and protecting profitability. She introduces the power of a Project Reality Check — the fastest way to uncover what’s really happening on your job before small issues turn into expensive disasters. Michelle e...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and construction leaders on building commercial strength and protecting profitability. She cuts through the noise around “commercial strategy” and explains why it’s about far more than contracts and claims. Michelle breaks down how understanding risk, pric...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on accountability and team performance. She gets real about one of the most uncomfortable topics in construction: how finger-pointing and blame culture quietly destroy projects and teams, and why true ownership of responsibilities is cr...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on building strong systems and processes that protect profitability. Drawing on frontline experience, she explains why relying on memory, habit, or “the way we’ve always done it” quietly exposes construction businesses to risk, disputes...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability within project teams. She breaks down exactly who is who in construction — from Quantity Surveyors and Estimators to Project Managers, Architects, and Financial Controllers — and e...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on identifying and managing the hidden chaos that undermines profitability and team performance. She exposes how missing processes, unclear responsibilities, and poor communication quietly bleed construction businesses dry, creating del...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on managing finance, cash flow, and funding risks in construction projects. She lifts the lid on one of the biggest pressure points in construction: financing. From mortgages and bridging loans to development funding and invoice factori...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on managing cash flow, protecting margins, and avoiding financial pitfalls in construction projects. She gets straight to the heart of one of the industry’s biggest make-or-break factors: cash flow. Michelle unpacks why contractors run...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on managing disputes and protecting projects through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She unpacks ADR — the smarter, faster, and more cost-effective way to resolve disputes without stepping foot in court. Michelle explains how adju...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, Quantity Surveyors, and project leaders on managing the final account stage to protect profitability and project outcomes. She breaks down what the final account really means, and offers practical guidance on keeping accurate records, managing variations, and setting...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on managing project variations to protect profit and maintain control. She tackles one of the trickiest parts of any construction project — variations. Whether a small adjustment or a major change, Michelle explains how transparency, cl...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on managing applications for payment to protect cash flow and reduce disputes. She breaks down the often-underestimated world of applications for payment, explaining the key differences between them and standard invoicing under JCT cont...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, subcontractors, and project leaders on understanding contracts to protect profitability and reduce risk. She breaks down the often-intimidating world of construction contracts, making a complex topic accessible and engaging. Michelle explains why truly understanding y...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, subcontractors, and project leaders on understanding the Construction Act and protecting payment rights. She dives into the Construction Act of 1996, explaining what it really means for contractors and subcontractors — from fair payment to faster dispute resolution. M...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on addressing cultural, training, and ethical challenges in the industry. She takes a hard look at the issues holding construction back, from cultural barriers and gaps in training to damaging practices like “subbie bashing” that impact...

In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares her personal journey and professional insights for contractors, developers, and construction leaders navigating the UK construction industry. From growing up in her family’s construction business to leading change today, Michelle reflects on the obstacles she’s faced — including gender bias and challenging projects — and h...

Welcome to Taking the Con Out of Construction, the straight-talking podcast for contractors, developers, project managers, and construction business leaders who want to navigate one of the UK’s toughest industries with confidence. This trailer introduces the show, highlighting the practical advice, real-world insights, and guidance you can expect in each episode. Whether it’s protecting cash flow,...