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A field journal for UK quantity surveyors

Building your path to success in quantity surveying.

Honest, well-researched writing on careers, contracts and craft — for the surveyors construction left to figure things out alone.

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A quantity surveyor building a construction cash flow forecast on a laptop with a printed S-curve chart on the desk

How to Build a Construction Cash Flow Forecast (With Template)

Cash flow forecasting is one of the most valuable skills a QS or commercial manager can offer - to a contractor, a client, or their own freelance business. This guide breaks down the S-curve method, the inputs you need, and a worked example, step by step.

Date2 Oct 2026CategorySkills & Practice
A quantity surveyor building up a liquidated damages rate on a laptop spreadsheet, cross-referencing a construction contract

How to Calculate Liquidated Damages: A QS Step-by-Step Guide

Liquidated damages construction calculations rest on a genuine pre-estimate of the employer's loss. This guide walks through the loss categories, a full worked example and how to express, cap and document the rate so it survives challenge.

Date1 Oct 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A quantity surveyor reviewing measurement and cost planning documents on site - new rules of measurement in practice.

NRM1, NRM2, NRM3: The New Rules of Measurement Explained

NRM1, NRM2 and NRM3 govern how UK quantity surveyors estimate, measure and cost building works from feasibility through to end of life. This guide explains what each volume covers, when to use it, and how the suite replaced SMM7.

Date30 Sept 2026CategorySkills & Practice
Commercial manager reviewing a framework agreement and call-off contract documents in a construction site office.

Framework Agreements in Construction: A Commercial Manager's Guide

Framework agreements are the backbone of UK public sector construction procurement. Here's how they differ from single-project tendering, how call-offs and mini-competitions work, and what commercial managers need to know to work within one effectively.

Date29 Sept 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A commercial manager and subcontractor reviewing contract terms across a table on a UK construction site

The Role of a Commercial Manager in Contract Negotiations

Negotiation runs through almost everything a commercial manager does - from setting pre-contract terms to closing out final accounts. This guide breaks down where negotiation sits in the role, the skills that matter most, and the tactics that actually work on UK construction projects.

Date28 Sept 2026CategorySkills & Practice
A quantity surveyor reviewing a cost report in a UK construction site office

Chartered vs Non-Chartered QS: Key Differences

Chartered or non-chartered QS? This guide compares both routes side by side - what MRICS actually means, how much more chartered surveyors earn, what chartership costs in time and money, and whether it's worth it for your career.

Date27 Sept 2026CategoryRoutes Into Surveying

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