Freelance QS in 2026: The Real Numbers, Risks and Rewards (EP 254)

In this episode, Paul is joined by Amy Connor from Clear North — a QS-focused recruitment specialist who supports freelance quantity surveyors across the UK. Amy describes herself as “the QS agent”, helping QSs stay off job boards, understand the freelance market, and make informed, sustainable career decisions.This is a practical, no-hype conversation about what freelance life really looks like in 2026.Paul and Amy explore why more QSs are considering freelancing — from burnout and lack of control in permanent roles to the appeal of higher day rates, flexibility and autonomy. But they also unpack the realities behind the headline numbers, including the responsibilities, risks and trade-offs that come with running your own limited company.Topics covered include:the true financial comparison between permanent salaries and freelance day rates;hidden costs such as holidays, pensions, insurance, tax, IR35 and business overheads;the level of experience required before going freelance — and why most successful freelancers are senior QSs;which sectors are thriving (infrastructure, utilities, data centres) and which are tightening;why sector versatility is becoming essential for freelance security;how IR35 has evolved from a blocker to a manageable reality;when freelancing works as a long-term career move — and when it doesn’t.The conversation also looks at freelancing from a commercial leadership perspective, including:why more commercial directors are choosing to step back into freelance roles later in their careers;how contractors are increasingly using freelancers as a core part of delivery, not just a stop-gap;why hybrid teams of permanent and freelance QSs are becoming the norm; andhow smart resourcing can reduce burnout while protecting delivery and margin.This episode is essential listening for QSs considering freelancing in 2026 — and for commercial leaders who want to understand how the labour market is shifting and how to adapt their hiring strategy accordingly.---------------------------------📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial SuccessFor our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook DownloadsSend us Fan MailWant to connect with Paul?Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] 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.