Unpacking the QS Role with Michelle Carr | I'm The Gaffer

Welcome to Episode 85 of I'm The Gaffer! Host Gavin Coyle teams up with Michelle Carr, Director of Construction Alchemy and H Squared Construction Ltd, for a riveting dive into the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role. With her wealth of experience, Michelle sheds light on trust issues, unethical practices, contract challenges, and the skills gap, delivering powerful strategies to transform construction projects and businesses. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to elevate their industry knowledge! Key Takeaways Cultivate Trust: Ethical QSs thrive by prioritizing fairness over cost cuts. Harness Contracts: Negotiate contracts to shield all parties from disputes. Plan Smart: A week of upfront planning saves months and major costs. Tailor Roles: Align QS tasks with individual strengths for optimal results. Streamline Payments: Use clear, standardized applications for faster approvals. Timestamps [00:16] Exposing the conning in construction and contract pitfalls. [00:45] Introducing Michelle Carr: Director of Construction Alchemy and H Squared Construction Ltd. [01:13] Michelle’s path: From childhood invoices to QS expertise with Sally. [07:46] Founding Construction Alchemy to train better QSs. [14:33] QS pressures: Balancing cost cuts with efficiency. [19:41] Trust issues: A cultural challenge in the QS role? [24:52] Value of pre-start workshops and early planning. [38:29] Case Study: Restructuring a QS team for 10x productivity. [46:08] Contracts as tools: Effective negotiation and use. [48:02] Life lessons: What Michelle would change. [49:05] Favorite book: The Buddha and the Badass – Spirituality meets business. [50:29] Why contact Michelle? Solutions for chaos or growth. [51:28] Closing insights: Gap analysis and project improvements. I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you. Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry. As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge. I’m The Gaffer, available on: Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@gavincoylesafety Website http://imthegaffer.com/ #ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness #safetytips #business #podcast