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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 comparing FIDIC, NEC and JCT contract documents at a desk

FIDIC vs NEC vs JCT: Which Contract Should You Use?

FIDIC, NEC and JCT solve the same problem - allocating risk and managing change on a construction project - in three very different ways. Here's how to tell them apart and choose the right one.

Date10 Sept 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A quantity surveyor cross-checking site cost records against an NEC4 interim payment application.

Defined Cost vs Disallowed Cost in NEC Contracts

Defined Cost and Disallowed Cost sit at the heart of every NEC cost-reimbursable contract. Here's how quantity surveyors on both sides of the table assess, audit and dispute them.

Date9 Sept 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A commercial manager reviewing project cash position against a live construction site

Construction Cash Flow: Why It Matters More Than Profit

Profit is what a job is worth on paper. Cash is what's actually in the bank when wages fall due. This piece unpacks why a construction cash flow forecast matters more than a healthy margin, and what QSs and commercial managers can do about it.

Date7 Sept 2026CategorySkills & Practice
A Project Manager and Contractor discussing a project risk on an NEC contract - early warning notice best practice

Early Warning Notices in NEC Contracts: How They Work

Early warning notices are NEC's built-in risk radar. This guide explains the clause 15 duty, the Early Warning Register and meetings, and exactly how early warnings interact with compensation events.

Date6 Sept 2026CategoryContracts & Law
A quantity surveyor reviewing cost and progress data against the programme baseline

Earned Value Management in Construction: A Practical QS Guide

Earned value management turns three simple numbers - planned value, earned value and actual cost - into an early-warning system for cost overruns and delays. This guide walks through the core formulas, a worked construction example, the software tools that support it, and where EVM falls short on site.

Date5 Sept 2026CategorySkills & Practice

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