The Take Off - The Quantity Surveying Podcast

What’s it really like moving to Australia as a Quantity Surveyor? In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , Mick breaks down the reality of relocating overseas to build a career in construction — from starting out on site and improving communication skills, to navigating different construction cultures across Europe and Australia. The episode explores the pressures of early career decisions, the v...

From small family contractors in Spain… to working on the Camp Nou redevelopment for FC Barcelona… to leading cost strategy for Amazon across Europe and beyond. In this episode, We're joined by Alberto Fernandez , MRICS chartered quantity surveyor and Senior Cost Engineer at Amazon , to talk about a truly global career in construction – and how AI is about to reshape the industry . Alberto sha...

What happens when an electrical engineer, estimator, and salesperson becomes a construction tech founder? You get The Measuring Company — and one of the fastest-growing remote estimating models in Australia. In this episode, Joey Hidalgo , Founder & CEO of The Measuring Company, breaks down his journey from the Philippines to Australia, the flaws he saw in traditional estimating, and how he bu...

What does it really take to become a quantum expert in construction? In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , Joe Stewart , Director at JS Held , shares how he went from a 16-year-old university student in Scotland to a trusted figure in dispute resolution and expert witness work . Joe breaks down: ⚖️ The real difference between QS and expert roles 📋 How adjudication and arbitration actually wor...

Can you build a high-level career in construction without giving up your personal life? Orla Kellehan , Senior Quantity Surveyor at John Sisk & Son and chartered member of the SCSI and RICS , proves you can. In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , Orla shares her 20-year journey through Ireland and Australia — from her early days juggling part-time study and site work, to becoming a respecte...

What if the best degree you ever took wasn’t in a classroom — but on site? Paschal Walsh , FRICS and founder of Times in Tribe , has spent three decades shaping projects and people across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and Australia . From local housing schemes to billion-pound infrastructure , his story shows how curiosity and adaptability fuel success. He shares why testing your education before you i...

What does it really take to build a lasting career in construction? Not quick moves. Not luck. Real growth comes from understanding the fundamentals — and playing the long game. In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , Aaron Tomsett , Group Operations Director at Cost Plan Group , shares his journey from leaving school at 16 to leading an international construction consultancy across Australia, t...

30+ years in the game and Alan Bertram still says the best thing you can do is go to site and ask questions. No fluff. No filters. Just honest reflections from someone who worked his way from office junior… to director. In this week’s episode, we talk: – Why analogue learning built better QSs – The truth about leadership (and why it’s more about listening than directing) – Why technology hasn'...

When Neil Watson moved to Australia, he had no job, no network, and no shortcuts. Now he's a Director at Savills Australia & New Zealand . On this week’s Takeoff Podcast , Neil unpacks: 🔹 Restarting his career at 30 🔹 Going from QS to project lead 🔹 Building relationships over chasing titles 🔹 Why six months on-site changed everything It’s honest, practical, and proof that patience doe...

What happens when your dream dies before you’re even 25? Lachlan Stuart—men’s coach, ultra-endurance athlete, and founder of  The Man That Can Project —shares his transformation from a lost ex-rugby player to a global leader in men’s mental health and performance. You’ll hear:  The mindset shift that changed his life   How selling supplements sparked personal reinvention   What  58 marathons in 58...

In this roundtable, we go deep into project deliverability — how to actually get things built on time, within budget, and without the usual chaos. I’m joined by three absolute guns in the quantity surveying game: 👉 Megan Smith (DCWC) 👉 Adrian Budiono (Genus Advisory) 👉 Daniel Butterick (RPS) We talk about how QSs can make or break a build, why you should never tender without a clean cost plan,...

From the Burj Al Arab to billion-dollar resorts in Las Vegas, Colin Addley has spent over five decades shaping skylines across the globe. In this episode, the Founder & President of Admore Services joins us to unpack the real cost of delivery, the offshore model vs. traditional recruitment, and how to build high-performing QS teams—without compromising quality. 🌎 With experience across the UK...

🚀 The engineering skills gap is real—and it’s only getting worse. Graduates coming out of uni? Zero real-world experience. Companies losing top talent? Because there’s no proper training. AI taking over? Not a chance—human mentorship is still king. In this episode of The Take Off Podcast , I chat with Rachel Bermoy , founder of Buteras , about how we fix this mess. We get into: 🏗️ Why the industr...

Most people still don’t understand the true value of a QS. In this roundtable episode of The Take Off Podcast , Mick Donaghy is joined by some of the best in the business: 🎙 Mathys Olivier – Director, Slattery 🎙 Tony Avsec OAM – National Cost Planning Manager (Defence), Built 🎙 Matthew Miles – Director, Melrose 🎙 Reiss Draper MRICS – Associate Director, MBMpl Pty Ltd Get ready for a incredible con...

For an industry worth $12 trillion, construction is shockingly inefficient. Projects run late. Budgets get blown. 30% of materials end up in skips. Meanwhile, manufacturing? ✅ Faster. ✅ Cheaper. ✅ More efficient. So why is construction STILL operating like it’s the 1970s? In this episode, Mick sits down with Ralph Montague, co-founder of ArcDox and BIM Heroes, to talk about how Building Informa...

a New Start in Ireland 🇳🇿➡️🇮🇪 In this episode of The Take Off Podcast, powered by GEDON, Mick shares why he left Australia and moved back to Ireland. He dives into: 💰 The skyrocketing housing costs in Australia & New Zealand 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 How family values influenced his decision 🌍 The advantages of being closer to Europe for business & lifestyle 🔍 His vision for GEDON and the future of r...

Navigating Construction's Challenges and Opportunities Join Mick for a candid reflection on the construction industry's journey through 2024. Get ready to discuss How political changes and economic uncertainty shaped the construction landscape in 2024. Learn how GEDON™ adapted to changing market conditions and refined its strategic focus. Industry Trends: Discover key shifts in talent movement, wo...

THROWBACK Building a Better Future: The Story of Building Guild Join Mick Donaghy as he sits down with Alex Johnson and Tom Moore, the dynamic duo behind Building Guild. In this episode, they discuss: The Building Guild Story: Learn about the company's mission and values. The Importance of Culture: Discover how Building Guild fosters a positive and collaborative work environment. The Future of Con...

#THROWBACK Transforming the Construction Diversity: A Conversation with Michael Manikas Join Mick  he sits down with Michael Manikas, the General Manager of DLG Shape, to discuss the future of the construction industry.  What can you learn from this episode? 🚀 How to create an inclusive business?. How does the Surveyor roles evolves over time Building high-performing teams:** Strategies for foste...

Join Mick Donaghy as he sits down with Richard Austin, CEO of OMNI, to discuss his inspiring journey into the construction industry. In this episode, Richard shares his insights on: Adapting to a new industry: Learn how Richard transitioned from a non-traditional background to a successful career in construction. The importance of leadership and communication: Discover the key qualities that make...

Want to know what it takes to be a top estimator? 🤔 Join Mick Donaghy as he sits down with Stephen Walter, the national estimating lead at Bellweather Contractors, to uncover the essential skills needed to succeed in the construction industry. In this episode, you'll learn about: Technical expertise: Understanding construction methods, materials, and costs Strong analytical skills: Breaking down...

In this episode, Mick and Patrick delve into the world of estimating, discussing the challenges and opportunities facing estimators today. They explore the often-overlooked role of estimators, the need for better recognition and rewards, and the impact of the housing crisis and immigration policies on the industry.  Tune in to learn more about: The challenges faced by estimators in the constructio...

Join us as we revisit our chat with Irena Kuzman, a seasoned quantity surveyor. In this throwback episode, Irena shares her insights on: The evolving role of quantity surveyors The power of data analytics The importance of mentorship Tune in to gain valuable advice and inspiration. #ConstructionCareers #BuildingTheFuture #TheTakeOffPodcast #QuantitySurveying #DataAnalytics #Mentorship #CareerAdvic...

One of the all-time fav's is here We explore the pros and cons of both paths, discuss the financial implications, and examine the impact of cultural differences on education and employment. Discover the importance of mentorship, networking, and hands-on experience in building a successful career in construction. Key Takeaways: The value of practical experience and its impact on earnings. The role...

Join us on The Take Off Podcast for an exclusive interview with Steve Chandler, a seasoned property developer with a wealth of experience and insights. In this episode, we delve into the world of property development, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of this dynamic industry. Steve shares his personal journey, key strategies, and valuable advice for aspiring property developers...