In this episode, Greg Wilkes sits down with Raine Gerber, CEO of Quantum Contract Solutions and a subcontractor-turned-contracts expert, who has reviewed over 7,000 agreements to unpack why delivery alone won’t protect your profit, and how to negotiate contracts that actually work for you.

🔹 Key topics

✅ Lessons from losing a business — how a single hidden clause strangled cashflow and shut the doors on an otherwise profitable company
✅ The “standard contract” myth — why they’re almost always amended and how to spot risk-shifting tweaks
✅ The big five red flags — payment terms, termination rights, uncapped liability, liquidated damages without caps, and rolling warranties
✅ Negotiating without losing the job — focusing on your top 10 risks, trading clauses for price adjustments, and why pushback builds respect
✅ Post-signature discipline — embedding compliance from day one, capturing a watertight body of evidence, and avoiding costly disputes
✅ Dispute resolution that works — suspension clauses, internal resolution meetings with senior decision-makers, and using third parties to remove emotion
✅ Cashflow levers — shortening payment terms, defining “approval,” securing mobilisation/materials deposits, and structuring milestone payments
✅ Why early engagement pays — the benefits of having a fractional commercial team on your side before you ever sign

If you’ve ever signed a contract you didn’t fully understand, been stung by surprise clauses, or struggled to get paid on time, Raine’s playbook shows exactly how to protect your business, negotiate from strength, and keep cash flow healthy. Tune in and take notes. This episode could save you six figures.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quantumcsfb/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantumcsig/
X: https://x.com/quantumcsx
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quantumcstiktok
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@constructionsecrets
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantum-contract-solutions/

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes welcomes Rachael Keeble, a project-management trainer, chartered builder & BuiltWell founder for a frank look at what turns an “OK” project manager into the calm, profit-driving linchpin every growing construction firm needs.

🔹 Key topics

✅ “Peace & purpose” project management – why PMs burn out and how Rachael’s framework puts them back in control
✅ The founder skills-gap audit – slow down, list what you’re bad at and hire the opposite
✅ Values first, CV second – write job ads that spell out your culture so A-players self-select
✅ Generalist vs specialist – when you really need a PM and when you actually need a commercial lead or legal advisor
✅ On-boarding that sticks – 10-minute daily check-ins, four-week road-maps and clear KPIs beat the sink-or-swim approach
✅ What to look for on a CV – up-to-date CPD, broad early experience, concise communication
✅ Training that matters – leadership & soft-skills now trump scheduling software as AI eats routine tasks
✅ Keeping PMs happy – quarterly growth chats, ownership of systems and a lived-out values culture
✅ Rachael’s quick wins for owners – daily huddles, shared dashboards, and the courage to cut mis-hires fast

If you’re juggling projects yourself, drowning in admin or wondering why your last PM hire fizzled, Rachael’s playbook shows exactly how to recruit, embed and grow a project-management powerhouse who frees you to scale. Tune in and steal the tactics.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelkeeble

Free monthly newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7041030428866002944

Website: http://www.builtwellpm.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@builtwellprojectmanagement?si=c4KepT9_r5XFhoS4

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes sits down with Dr Gretchen Gagel — 40-year veteran, board adviser and founder of the Women Thriving in Construction Institute — to unpack the talent shortage crippling the industry and show exactly how getting more women on site (and in the C-suite) accelerates profit, safety and culture for everyone.

🔹 Key topics covered

✅ The numbers that matter – from China’s 16 % female workforce to Indonesia’s 1.6 %, plus why the UK & Australia are moving the needle with government-backed culture standards
✅ Unconscious bias & dominant culture – practical ways to spot the hidden habits that stop women applying (and drive good men away too)
✅ Quick wins on site – flushing loos, correctly-sized PPE and split shifts that turn “death, dirt & divorce” job sites into professional workplaces
✅ Recruitment that works – the 53 % female school-build project and how to write ads that attract skilled women without lowering the bar
✅ Retention & progression – mentors, sponsors and quarterly one-to-ones that create a 99 % engagement score and fuel 2× revenue growth
✅ Leadership superpowers – why mixed-gender teams literally score higher IQ points and the neuroscience of the 12-lane female “super-highway” brain
✅ Small-builder playbook – define your values, keep every coaching meeting, publish the dashboard and watch performance lift across the board
✅ Gretchen’s big vision – scaling the best grassroots programmes worldwide through the Women Thriving in Construction Institute

If you’re struggling to find good trades, juggling half-staffed projects or just want a happier, higher-performing crew, this conversation hands you the blueprint. Tune in, challenge the bias and build a construction business where everyone thrives. 🎧👷‍♀️👷

Gretchen Gagel One Sheet

Gretchen Gagel Book Summary

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes breaks down the five core systems every construction firm needs to scale smoothly from £1 million to £5 million — without the owner running on fumes. Drawing on the frameworks he installs in his own companies and those of his coaching clients, Greg shows how the right tech-plus-process combo turns day-to-day chaos into predictable profit.

🔹 Key topics covered

✅ Lead Management – ditch the diary scraps and build a CRM that captures, nurtures and auto-follows every enquiry
✅ Quoting & Job Approval – why outsourced estimating, square-metre benchmarks and one-click approvals protect margin and speed
✅ Project Management – when Asana is enough, when to step up to Buildertrend or Procore, and the daily logs that stop overspend
✅ Document & Communication Control – centralised cloud storage, Slack channels and SOPs that keep teams and clients aligned
✅ Finance & Cash Flow – fast invoicing, realistic 12-week forecasts and the “progress-payment ladder” that ends cash crunches
✅ Bonus – a quarterly review ritual to refine systems before small cracks become profit-draining gaps

If you’re juggling sticky notes, late quotes and mystery margins, this playbook will help you regain control, win the right work and scale with confidence. Plug the gaps, follow the frameworks and watch your construction business grow — sustainably. 🎧🔨

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes chats with Jamie Mills, founder of Signature Build, to unpack how he grew a one-man renovation sideline into a multi-million-pound contractor trusted with London’s most prestigious heritage homes. From risky buy-outs to razor-sharp branding, Jamie lays out the real-world moves that turned early hustle into sustainable, high-margin growth.

🔹 Key topics covered:

✅ Starting with modest refurb jobs and networking his way into Prime Central London work
✅ Buying out a business partner—the due diligence, the nerves, and the upside of full control
✅ How a mastermind community gave weekly structure, accountability, and the push to “stop playing small”
✅ Turning brand touchpoints—from site cleanliness to online presence—into a magnet for high-end clients and architects
✅ Fixing under-pricing: building in proper prelims and margins without scaring off prospects
✅ Hiring “rocket-fuel” talent and learning to delegate so the business can scale beyond the owner
✅ Simple ways to solve problems for referrers and lock in repeat work
✅ Jamie’s next steps—regional expansion, apprenticeships, and giving back through community projects

If you’re stuck juggling every role, under-charging, or struggling to break into higher-value projects, Jamie’s story proves you can level up your margins and your market position—without losing the craft you care about. Tune in and map out your own path from small-scale builder to respected industry player. 🎧🔨

https://www.signature.build/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/signaturebuild/

https://www.instagram.com/signature.build/

https://www.signature.build/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Signature-Build-Brochure-2024-Digital-1.pdf

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes sits down with David Hernandez, Managing Director of North America for Elecosoft (Loft), to explore how 4D construction planning is reshaping project delivery — making jobs smoother, faster, and far more efficient. If you’re tired of project chaos, constant firefighting, and unpredictable schedules, this episode introduces a powerful tech-driven solution that doesn’t just look impressive — it works in real-world construction.

🔹 Key topics covered:

✅ Why most tech investments in construction fail — and how to fix your process before the platform
✅ What 4D planning really means (and no, it’s not just for big commercial contractors)
✅ How to go from a 3D BIM model to a complete project schedule in minutes
✅ The truth about AI in construction — what’s hype, what’s real, and what you should focus on first
✅ The power of standardised data, cross-team alignment, and proactive scheduling
✅ How small contractors can use 4D tools to win high-end jobs and separate from the pack
✅ The importance of building with the future in mind — from scalable systems to a strong digital brand
✅ Real case studies of contractors using 4D tools to improve reliability, reduce delays, and win better projects

If you're overwhelmed by disconnected spreadsheets, rework, or missed deadlines — this episode offers a new way to lead your builds with clarity and confidence. Learn how to use the right tech to scale smarter, not harder. 🎧🔧

----

Website - https://elecosoft.com/us/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hernandez-4036264b/

Resources to Promote - https://elecosoft.com/us/support/

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg Wilkes lays out a clear framework for construction business owners to identify when it’s time to bring in a Project Manager – and how doing so can transform your operations, profit, and personal life. If you're overwhelmed and your business feels stuck or chaotic, this episode gives you the insight to know when and how to act.

🔹 Key topics covered:

✅ The five telltale signs you need a Project Manager – from constant interruptions to stagnant growth
✅ How doing everything yourself leads to delays, mistakes, and mental burnout
✅ Why hiring a PM is not a luxury but a strategic necessity for growth beyond the million-pound mark
✅ What a good PM should be responsible for – from managing trades to tracking variations and client updates
✅ Common hiring mistakes to avoid – like promoting a loyal tradie who isn’t suited to PM responsibilities
✅ Tips for hiring right – including interview questions, setting clear responsibilities, and trial periods
✅ The power of proactive project leadership – how the right PM creates smoother jobs, happier clients, and frees up your time
✅ Real-life examples of how a PM can prevent missed orders, over-budget jobs, and communication breakdowns

If you’re constantly firefighting, missing important details, or stuck at the same revenue ceiling month after month – this episode is a wake-up call. Greg shows you how hiring the right Project Manager isn't just about efficiency; it’s about taking back control, reducing stress, and finally building the business you've envisioned. 🎧🛠️

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator

In this episode, Greg lays out a powerful plan for construction business owners who want to stop working on the tools and start leading like a true CEO. If you’re still swinging a hammer and chasing jobs day-to-day, this episode will help you shift gears – practically and mentally – so you can build a business that runs without you.

🔹 Key topics covered:

✅ Why staying on the tools damages your health, limits your income, and chips away at your confidence
✅ The three big myths that keep builders stuck – "I'll save money", "no one meets my quality", and "I can't afford to step away"
✅ Simple maths to calculate how many tradespeople you need before you can stop working on site
✅ The mindset shift from tradesperson to business owner – and how to visualise your new role
✅ Step-by-step transition plan – how to gradually move from full-time on site to full-time CEO
✅ How to avoid micromanaging – and empower your team to perform without you
✅ What life looks like after stepping off the tools – more freedom, better health, higher profits

If you’re tired of cement-stained jeans and working long hours just to keep the business going, this episode gives you a clear and proven roadmap to reclaim your time, health, and freedom. 🎧🏗️

https://developcoaching.co.uk

For more episode please visit:
https://developcoaching.co.uk/construction-podcast/

If you'd like to discuss fast-tracking your results, book in a free call - https://www.developcoaching.co.uk/schedule/

If you'd like help growing your business join my private Facebook group - https://m.facebook.com/groups/constructiontradesaccelerator