Building a high value home means managing far more people than you expect.

On a residential project, dozens of professionals are involved, each with a specific role, responsibility, and risk attached. We break down who does what, who works for whom, and where confusion can lead to costly mistakes.

We explain the key roles across the full build team, including architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, engineers, contractors, inspectors, and regulators. We also unpack common misconceptions around cost control, client protection, and why no single person can manage everything alone.

If you want clarity on your team before committing serious money to your build, this episode is for you.

“Coordination is where projects succeed or fail.” - Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• Who the client really is
• What a project manager actually does
• Architect versus lead designer
• Why planning consultants matter
• Listed buildings and heritage consultants
• Contract administrator versus employer’s agent
• Quantity surveyor versus cost consultant
• Why engineers can save you money
• MEP and services explained
• Who controls quality on site
• Planning versus building control
• Who really protects your risk

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/

Home design is about more than drawings.

It is about decisions that shape how you live for decades.

In this episode, we break down what the architectural design process really looks like on a private home project.

We walk through how a design brief is developed, why it cannot be rushed, and how understanding family life, future needs, and everyday habits directly influences layout, flow, and long-term success. From early discovery sessions to sketch layouts, planning strategy, and detailed coordination, we explain what actually happens behind the scenes.

We also explore how specialist designers fit into the process, where costs and risks often emerge, and why design continues evolving well into construction. From kitchens and lighting to staircases, glazing, and landscaping, we explain where homeowners often underestimate the impact of design decisions.

If you want a home that works not just today, but five, ten, and fifteen years from now, listen to explore the entire design journey.

“Design is about future life, not today’s layout.” - Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• Developing the design brief properly
• Why family input really matters
• How long early design takes
• Translating lifestyle into layout
• Common brief mistakes homeowners make
• Planning constraints explained simply
• Why multiple layout options matter
• When specialists join the design
• How design evolves on site
• Design only versus design and build
• Realistic project timelines
• Planning for future family needs

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/

Most people think a home project starts with an architect or a builder.

In reality, the most important work happens long before that conversation ever begins.

In this episode, we explore what homeowners really need to think about before engaging any professionals. From understanding what’s driving the project in the first place, to aligning as a family on goals, budgets and timelines, we unpack the conversations that can make or break a successful build.

We talk openly about the realities of budgets, timescales, and decision-making, why so many projects go off track before they even start, and how a clear brief can save you stress, time and money. Drawing on real client experiences, we explain why clarity, communication and honesty at the very beginning are essential for a smooth journey.

If you’re considering a renovation or new build, this episode will help you lay the right foundations before a single drawing is produced.

“A successful project starts with clarity, not construction.” Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• What triggers people to start a home project
• Why most projects fail before they begin
• The importance of agreeing a brief as a family
• Why budget clarity matters more than design early on
• How unrealistic timelines cause major problems
• The true cost of building beyond construction
• Why professional fees catch people out
• The danger of managing a project yourself
• How to approach decision making early
• Why clarity saves money, stress and time

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/

Building your own home should be exciting, but too often it becomes overwhelming, and stressful for all the wrong reasons. We believe the home building process is misunderstood, full of hidden risks and unnecessary complex, at all scales. 

In this podcast, we’ll be exploring how you can build your home with none of the stress, jargon free.

We’ll. be sharing how we approach home projects, why so many builds go wrong, and how understanding the process early can dramatically change the outcome. 

We support homeowners through renovations and new builds from start to finish. This show will be full of expert guidance, real insight and practical experience from projects delivered at the highest level.

If you want to feel in control of your build, reduce risk and actually enjoy the process, this podcast is for you. 

Subscribe to the podcast to join us for the launch on 15th January! 

“Successful projects come from informed decisions made early.” Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• Why home building is misunderstood
• Common complexities in construction
• What makes projects successful
• Supporting homeowners start to finish
• Real insight from real projects
• Risks and early decision making
• Handling hard conversations
• De risking the home building process

Episode Resources:

Home Building & Renovation Show Farnborough https://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Connect with us:

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

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

What actually has to be approved before you can build?

In this episode, we give a clear overview of the statutory approvals that apply to residential construction projects, and explain how they shape what you can design, when you can start on site and how much risk you carry.

We break down planning permission, permitted development and pre application advice, and explain why approvals are about strategy, not just permission.

We also cover building regulations, including full plans versus building notice, inspections and final certification, as well as party wall agreements, listed buildings, conservation areas and freeholder consent. We explain where projects commonly stall and why starting work without the right approvals can create serious legal and financial consequences.

If you are building or significantly altering a high value home, this episode gives you the approval framework you need before committing to design, time or budget.

“You cannot build legally without the right approvals.” – Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• What statutory approvals actually are
• Planning permission vs permitted development
• Common planning misconceptions
• Pre application advice explained
• Planning refusals and appeals
• Discharge of planning conditions
• Building regulations explained
• Full plans vs building notice
• Final building control certificates
• Party wall agreements explained
• Freeholder and covenant restrictions
• Building Safety Act implications

Episode resources:

Health and Safety Executive CDM Guidance https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm

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/

Are you choosing the right design team for your home?

Getting this decision right is an essential part of a successful home build project.

In this episode we explore why appointing the design team is the second most important decision in any high value home build, and how that early choice influences cost, risk, programme and quality from day one. We unpack what a design team really is, who should lead it, and how that changes as projects move beyond £2m.

We share when an architect should act as lead designer, when a project manager adds genuine value, and why professional fees are often misunderstood compared to the risks of delays, overruns and poor delivery.

We also talk through building a clear brief, being honest about budget, shortlisting the right people, and the red flags to watch for when professionals overpromise.

The wrong decision is hard to undo. The right one protects everything that follows.

“This is a long-term professional relationship.” – Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• Why the design team is the second biggest decision
• What a design team actually includes
• Under £2m vs over £2m projects
• When to appoint a project manager
• The role of the lead designer
• Why architects don’t just draw buildings
• How to build a proper project brief
• Being honest about budget early
• How to shortlist architects properly
• Red flags during interviews
• Why cheap fees are risky
• The real cost of poor decisions

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/

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/

Is your contractor selection process setting your project up to fail?

The assumption is that once you've found a builder and agreed a price, the hard part is over.

Between us, we've spent 40 years on high-value residential projects, and contractor selection is consistently the decision clients underestimate most. In this episode, we break down why choosing on price and gut feeling is a costly mistake, and how a structured process, started months before tender, changes the outcome.

We cover procurement strategy, proper vetting (including financials and older completed projects), why a professional reference outweighs a client one, and what a bulletproof tender package looks like.

Get this right and you'll appoint a contractor suited to your project who's priced it properly. Get it wrong and you risk an unfinished site and a bill far larger than the one you started with.

"Contractors are custodians of your house for a period of time." – Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• Why contractor selection is often rushed
• Starting procurement before planning permission
• Defining your procurement strategy early
• What contractor's design portions mean
• Building the right tender strategy document
• Scoring tenders beyond price alone
• How to vet contractors properly
• Checking contractor financial health
• Visiting older completed projects
• Why professional references outweigh client ones
• How long pricing takes
• Keeping momentum after appointment

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 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/

What decisions shape the success of a home build?

A residential project can take three to four years, yet many of the most important decisions happen long before construction begins.

In this episode we walk through the entire project journey, from setting the brief and budget through to selecting the design team, securing planning approval, tendering contractors, and managing the construction phase. At each stage we highlight where projects typically start to drift and what good practice looks like when the process is followed properly.

We also discuss contractor procurement, the risks of poor documentation, how delays and redesigns occur during construction, and why rushing completion often causes unnecessary problems.

Follow the process properly and the project is set up for success. Ignore it and the consequences can be expensive.

“Starting a project without a brief is like a road trip without a destination."  - Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• Why projects start without clear briefs
• The risk of vague project budgets
• Choosing consultants based only on price
• Why early design exploration matters
• Planning approvals and hidden delays
• Conversations that shape construction costs
• Tendering mistakes that derail projects
• Vetting contractors before comparing price
• Why documentation quality is critical
• Construction delays caused by late decisions
• The risks of rushing project completion
• Why proper handover and training matters

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/

Do you know what actually changes the moment you get the keys?

Handover feels like the finish line, but for most homeowners it marks the start of a process they have never been prepared for.

We cover everything that happens at the point of practical completion: what the term legally means, why the contract administrator holds the only authority to issue it, and what changes hands the moment that certificate is signed.

We walk through the O&M manual, client training, snagging timelines, and the rectification period, including the critical distinction most homeowners get wrong between a defect the contractor must fix and maintenance you own.

We also cover final account settlement, when retention is released, and why rushing a contractor to finish before Christmas consistently produces worse outcomes, higher costs, and damaged relationships.

Get this stage wrong and you risk insurance gaps, contractor claims, and years of unresolved defects. Get it right and the contract closes cleanly on your terms.

“It's a legal change, not just getting the keys."  — Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• What practical completion legally means
• Why clients can't issue it themselves
• Insurance and liability at handover
• O&M manuals: what's actually useful
• Training clients to use their building
• Snagging: who does it and when
• The Christmas deadline trap
• Rectification period vs. long-term defect liability
• Why you can't refuse the contractor to fix defects
• Traffic light system for defect response times
• Final account settlement and retention release
• Moving in early: the real financial risk

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/

Is your build being managed, or just happening?

The build phase feels like the moment everything finally comes to life. But without the right management structure in place, it's also where home builds quietly unravel.

We cover who is responsible for what once work starts on site, why 80% of disputes trace back to decisions made at tender, and why the Contract Administrator works for the contract, not the client.

We also look at the client's own responsibilities during the build, including why slow decisions and late payments are more damaging than most homeowners realise.

Get this right and your project runs to time and budget. Get it wrong and the fallout is expensive and very hard to undo.

"Design is an evolution, even when you get to site." – Tina Patel

You’ll hear about:

• Why management starts before site begins
• The layered construction management structure
• Who the Contract Administrator works for
• Why only the CA can instruct changes
• The real cost of late design decisions
• Design resource gaps during the build phase
• When to appoint a project or design manager
• The client’s responsibilities during construction
• Why paying contractors on time matters
• How retention works on JCT contracts
• Key JCT terms defined plainly

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/

Is planning permission as frightening as everyone says?

Planning is a black box where decisions are made arbitrarily, and outcomes are impossible to predict.

We cut through the confusion with chartered town planner Aaron Zimmerman of Centro Planning Consultancy. We cover what constitutes development, the difference between permitted development and full planning permission, how the eight-week determination process works, and what your options are when a refusal lands.

We also explore how to put together a strong application, when to bring in a planning consultant, how pre-application consultation works, and why a refusal is not the disaster most homeowners fear.

Get the process wrong at the start and you risk wasted time, wasted money, and a project that never gets off the ground. Get it right and planning becomes the most manageable part of your build.

“Go for gold. Get the planning permission."  - Aaron Zimmerman

You’ll hear about:

• What legally counts as development
• When listed building consent is required
• How permitted development rights work
• Full planning permission: the process
• The eight-week determination timeline
• What to do after a refusal
• How to build a strong application
• When to use a planning consultant
• Pre-application consultation: pros and cons
• How to choose the right architect
• Why a refusal is not a disaster
• Planning reform and the system's limits

Connect with Aaron Zimmerman:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-zimmerman-ma-msc-mrtpi-83322b27/

Listen to Aaron’s podcast - Make Planning Make Sense - https://makeplanningmakesense.captivate.fm/

Centro Planning Consultancy - https://centroplan.co.uk/

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/

What if you could see every planning delay coming?

The delays most homeowners fear are more predictable than they think.

We sit down with Geoff Megarity, planning consultant at Bell Cornwell, to map out exactly where delays hide and what you can do to get ahead of them. From the validation checklist to ecology survey seasons, Geoff explains the preparation that separates a smooth five-month process from one that drags on for eighteen.

We cover how to build a validation checklist that gets your application through the door, when pre-application meetings are worth the time, how to challenge planning conditions before they slow your build, and how a simple red, amber, green framework can help you assess risk at every stage.

The right preparation means you go into construction with the right permission, the right conditions, and no costly surprises on the other side.

“Death by survey is something that comes up quite often.”  - Geoff Megarity

You’ll hear about:

• How the planning system creates delay
• Why validation is the first real hurdle
• Reports that are mandatory versus optional
• Ecology surveys and seasonal timing risks
• Biodiversity net gain and who it affects
• How planning conditions add post-permission delay
• Pre-commencement vs pre-occupation conditions
• When pre-application meetings are worth it
• How planning committees work and when to use them
• Managing refusal risk and appeal strategy
• Red, amber, green risk framework for homeowners
• Banking a permission and amending later

Connect with Geoff Megarity:

Geoff Megarity at Bell Cornwell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/team/geoff-megarity/

Bell Corwnell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-megarity-a075676a/

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/

Do you really know what your permitted development rights allow?

The rules are nationally set, locally interpreted, and full of conditions that can catch even experienced owners out.

We cover what permitted development allows: extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, and barn conversions. We explain where the rules get complicated, why the same street can have completely different rights, and how conservation areas, Article 4 directions, and historic planning conditions can strip those rights without you ever knowing. 

We also explore the fallback position strategy, how to use an established permitted development certificate as leverage in a full planning application, and why the certificate of lawfulness is worth getting even when it is not legally required. 

Get this wrong and you are building unlawfully. Get it right and you may have more options than you realised. 

“The onus is on the applicant to prove it’s lawful.”  - Geoff Megarity

You’ll hear about:

• What permitted development rights actually cover
• Rear extension limits: three, four, six and eight metres
• Loft conversions: cubic volume limits explained
• Outbuildings: the 50% garden rule
• Why flats have no PD rights
• Conservation areas and Article 4 directions
• Finding the original building line
• What a certificate of lawfulness does
• The fallback position strategy in planning
• What happens when enforcement comes knocking
• Barn conversions under permitted development
• Why early professional advice saves money

Connect with Geoff Megarity:

Geoff Megarity at Bell Cornwell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/team/geoff-megarity/

Bell Corwnell - https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-megarity-a075676a/

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/

Is the planning system really as unpredictable as everyone says?

Plenty of homeowners treat a refusal as a catastrophe and an approval as a green light to break ground. Neither assumption holds up.

We walk through the entire planning process from first principles. That means understanding whether your project needs full planning or permitted development, how to structure an application that makes it easy for a planning officer to say yes, and what a robust set of supporting documents looks like.

We then get into what happens when things do not go to plan. Refusals come with reasons and those reasons are a roadmap. We weigh up resubmission against appeal, look at the real cost of each, and explain why front-loading surveys and preparation at planning stage almost always produces a faster, smoother project than rushing in underprepared.

Only one in three planning appeals succeeds. Prepare properly at the start and you are unlikely to need one.

"Starting early doesn't make you finish early." - Bart Kolosowski

You’ll hear about:

• Full planning vs permitted development explained
• How to choose the right planning route
• Pre-application advice: is it worth it?
• Preparing a robust planning application
• What happens when planning is refused
• Resubmission vs appeal: cost and risk
• Planning conditions that delay your start
• Outbuildings and the 30m² controversy
• Using permitted development as a fallback
• Front-loading surveys and due diligence
• Needs vs solutions: getting design right first
• Why preparation is the only risk management

Connect with us:

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

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

Mentioned Episodes:

Planning Permission for Homes: Delays, Risks and How to Beat Them with Geoff Megarity - https://shorturl.at/WqqXw 

Is Permitted Development a Shortcut or a Risk for Homeowners? with Geoff Megarity - https://shorturl.at/6h05I 

Planning Permission Demystified: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know with Aaron Zimmerman - https://shorturl.at/ehERW 

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

Is your renovation idea as viable as you think it is?

The figure in a homeowner's head and the layout they've settled on are rarely either accurate or final.

We explore how to properly stress-test a project before it costs you serious money. We cover how the brief-writing process uncovers what you need, why hand-drawn sketches outperform any online room planner, and how to approach budget conversations honestly from day one.

We also get into planning risk, building regulations, and the unexpected costs that regularly blindside homeowners who haven't done the groundwork. Fire consultants, redundant sewers, and trees in the garden are just some of the hidden factors that can reshape a budget before a spade goes in the ground.

A great design doesn’t just look special it feels special; this episode will help you design the home you’re dreaming off.

"You can tell a great space when you walk into it." — Andrew Dobson

You’ll hear about:

• Why the brief rarely starts clearly
• Using sketches to stress-test ideas
• Hand-drawn sketches versus online tools
• Budget as control, not just aspiration
• Why clients hide their real budget
• Sizing extensions realistically from the outset
• Assessing planning risk early
• Building regulations and fire consultants
• Hidden site constraints adding cost
• When to bring in a QS or cost plan
• Treating the existing house as an asset
• The step-by-step design development process

Connect with Andrew Dobson:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dobson-architect/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewdobsonarchitects/

Website - https://www.andrewdobsonarchitects.co.uk/

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/

Are you spending money before your project has even begun?

The assumption is that the sooner works start on site, the sooner the project is finished. In reality, a premature start is one of the fastest ways to waste significant money.

We cover where the real pre-construction money traps are, from missing permissions and party wall awards to CIL charges, overcomplicated building management systems, and the VAT savings most homeowners never know to ask about.

We also look at why cutting corners on fees and structural elements almost always costs far more than it saves.

The right advice before a spade goes in the ground is not a cost. Getting it wrong almost certainly is.

"You need checks and balances on bigger, more complex projects." - Sam Wiseman

You’ll hear about:

• Why rushing to start costs more
• Getting the right team early
• The true price of cutting fees
• Hidden permissions people routinely miss
• Party wall awards explained clearly
• Risks of overcomplicated smart home systems
• Spatial planning: building for how you live
• Community Infrastructure Levy explained
• VAT reductions most homeowners overlook
• Why contracts protect everyone equally
• What actually goes wrong on site
• When a QS can save a stalled project

Connect with Sam Wiseman:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wiseman-634ba313a/

Stockdale Project Management & Quantity Surveying - https://stockdaleuk.com/

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/