How do you protect yourself from costly disputes?

Signing a JCT contract guarantees protection and clarity throughout your build.

We break down the most common procurement routes and explain why choosing the right contract matters more than most homeowners realise.

Traditional lump sum contracts give you maximum control over specification and finishes but require complete design before tender and can extend your programme. Design and build transfers design risk to the contractor and speeds up delivery but only works if your contractor has the management capability to handle it.

Most residential projects use a hybrid approach with contractor design portions for specialist elements like M&E, joinery, and waterproofing.

The right contract protects everyone involved. The wrong one leaves you exposed when disputes arise.

"The contract is there to safeguard all parties." – Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• What procurement actually means in construction
• Traditional lump sum contract pros and cons
• Design and build risk allocation explained
• Contractor design portions and hybrid contracts
• When to hire an M&E designer
• The four elements forming a contract
• Contract administrator role and powers
• JCT contract family structure explained
• RIBA domestic contracts versus JCT contracts
• FMB contracts in plain English
• When to involve construction lawyers

Connect with us:

Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/

Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/

Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

How do you avoid costly delays on a build?

Planning permission approved is just the beginning, not the green light to start building.

We break down the eight RIBA stages that structure every successful residential project, from initial feasibility through to post-occupancy evaluation.

Through our combined experience as architect and quantity surveyor, we explain why spending time on technical design prevents six-figure cost overruns during construction. We share the critical tender stage that RIBA overlooks and why rushing to site after planning approval is one of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make.

This episode walks through what you should expect at each stage, which consultants to involve when, and how proper staging controls both risk and budget evolution.

Get this framework wrong and you'll lose money during construction. Get it right and your build becomes manageable, predictable, and even enjoyable.

“It’s about removal of stress through a build” – Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• What RIBA stages mean
• Feasibility versus concept design differences
• When to involve planning consultants
• Technical design and its critical importance
• The missing tender stage
• Construction phase mini stages
• Strip out before main contract starts
• Contractor familiarisation and procurement structure
• Handover certification and legal requirements
• Post-occupancy evaluation benefits
• Cost planning through each stage

Connect with us:

Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/

Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/

Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Why does your day one budget never match your final cost?

That first figure feels fixed, but it's actually just the starting point for a journey of controlled change.

We walk through every stage of cost control, from initial budgeting to final account settlement. As an architect and quantity surveyor, we explain why early builder estimates carry risk, how professional cost planning builds in allowances for design variability, and why your contingency needs to reflect genuine unknowns, not wishful thinking. We cover procurement routes, real-time cost tracking tools, and why payment certification can determine whether your contractor reaches the finish line or leaves you mid-build.

We also tackle what happens after handover. Decisions about thermal efficiency, maintenance access, and operational costs need to be made during design, not discovered when the bills arrive.

Get this wrong and you'll run out of money mid-build or overpay at every stage. Get it right and you'll navigate changes with full control.

“We're not there to limit what you can have.” – Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• Why clients always set the budget
• Risks of early builder estimates
• Construction inflation impact since 2021
• When to engage a quantity surveyor
• Feasibility budgeting versus detailed cost planning
• Why you need realistic contingency
• Handling design changes without budget blow-out
• Controlling variations during construction
• Different procurement routes and their implications
• Real-time cost tracking tools
• Payment certification protecting your project
• Operational costs after handover

Connect with us:

Tima Patel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinapatel/

Bart Kolosowski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartkolosowski/

Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/