Construction Management is not for the faint hearted or the amateur developer. Most developers should use a main contractor for their developments — but there is an alternative route for those who want greater control over costs. Jonathan Stobbs and Kieron Shepherd are joined by Andrew Doidge of We Are Ease, one of the Southwest's leading construction management consultancies, to break down how this procurement model actually works. The conversation covers the contractual differences from traditional builds, the value of early contractor and supply chain involvement, and how rapid mobilisation can rescue stalled or bank-repossessed sites. You'll learn why pre-construction cost gateways matter, how to avoid being "dazzled" by a design you can't afford, when construction management makes financial sense, and the real-world value engineering decisions that protect your margins. Andrew also shares hard-won lessons from 15 years of high-end residential and hospitality projects. If you're serious about maximising value on your next development, this one's essential listening. KEY TAKEAWAYS Get cost advice at RIBA Stage 3, not Stage 4. Confirm your design is affordable before committing to expensive technical design packs — too many developers discover they're a million over budget only after the detailed drawings are done. Bring contractors and supply chain in early ("early contractor involvement") to test buildability, not just whether a design works on paper. Planning drawings don't guarantee something can actually be built. Understand the contractual difference: under construction management, the client enters into direct contracts with each trade package, with the consultancy acting as principal contractor — meaning specification savings benefit you, not the main contractor. Skip the protracted tender process to save 6–12 months and avoid material inflation eating your viability. Negotiate by setting a QS-costed budget and asking contractors to build to it, rather than comparing seven competing prices. QUOTES "Design is everything. Design is everything. Design is everything. And I mean that sincerely." "Nothing worse than going for the cheapest price, and it all goes tits up — everybody's out of pocket, and then they blame the builder." "It's not always about whether design works. It's about: can you build it?" "We very often get that Friday afternoon phone call to say, 'Can you start Monday?'" "People who don't know, don't know — and this is where, if you've got people with experience, you can at least get answers from people who've done it before." YOUTUBE CHANNEL https://www.youtube.com/@propertydevelopersiq HOST BIOS Jonathan is a property developer and entrepreneur with a background in finance and construction. Originally from South Africa, he holds degrees in Accounting and Auditing and relocated to England in 2003. He gained financial and operational experience at firms such as RSM, Prudential, and Baker Tilly before transitioning into property. Since 2014, Jonathan has managed major commercial-to-residential conversions and new build developments, particularly across the South West. His analytical mindset and on-the-ground experience help listeners navigate the property world with confidence. Kieron is a construction expert and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. Starting as a mason, he went on to found Shepherd Construction in 2012, delivering projects across both the public and private sectors. From extensions to luxury new builds, Kieron has earned a reputation for quality, precision, and strong leadership. As Managing Director, he’s involved in every stage—from design to delivery—offering a no-nonsense, deeply practical perspective to anyone looking to build with success. FOR REFERENCE Website: https://www.weareease.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-ease-ltd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareease/ OUR SOCIALS https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.stobbs.7/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanstobbs/ https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.stobbs/ https://www.facebook.com/kieron.shepherd.73 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieron-shepherd-83b979aa/ https://www.instagram.com/kieron__shepherd/ https://www.propertydevelopersplaybook.co.uk/ Book your seat now on our 3-day live event, Property Developers Bootcamp https://www.propertydevelopersiq.co.uk/pdblive
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