In episode 129 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin continues his JCT Subcontract mini-series guiding you through the essentials of loss and expense claims under 2024 JCT subcontracts. He explains when and how subcontractors can recover costs from delays and disruptions, outlines a practical five-step claims process, and highlights common pitfalls to avoid. Jacob emphasises the importance of early notice, thorough documentation, and structured claims to protect margins and cash flow. The episode includes a real-world case study and actionable advice, empowering subcontractors to manage contracts more effectively and safeguard their profitability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The episode explains how subcontractors can effectively claim loss and expense under JCT subcontracts to recover costs from delays and disruptions.
• It highlights the difference between time-related (extension of time) and cost-related (loss and expense) claims, and the importance of understanding "relevant matters."
• Jacob outlines common pitfalls in loss and expense claims, such as lack of evidence, late notifications, and double counting costs.
• The episode provides a practical, step-by-step approach to structuring and evidencing a strong loss and expense claim.
• Listeners are advised to issue early notices, keep detailed records, and avoid leaving claims until the project's end.
• The importance of clear communication, proper documentation, and commercial awareness is emphasised to protect subcontractor margins.

BEST MOMENTS:

"If you don't claim loss and expense properly, then you're funding the job for free."

"The difference between being right and being paid is almost certainly evidence and structure to what you're doing."

"A proper loss and expense claim needs to be built out like a case showing cause, effect, and the resultant cost."

"Loss and expense needs to be claimed on the basis of actual costs incurred—that means showing the contractor invoices, timesheets, payroll records if necessary."

"Acceleration costs money… If the contractor isn’t willing to do that, then that tells you they want the benefit of the acceleration without putting their hand in their pocket."

"The worst thing you can do with loss and expense is to leave it all to the end and submit it as a parting shot just before you submit your final account."

HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to over £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/

www.qs.zone/all-links

In episode 128 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin continues his JCT Subcontract mini-series offering practical guidance on managing JCT subcontracts, focusing on programs and extensions of time (EOT). He explains how EOT provisions protect subcontractors from unfair delay risks, highlights the importance of timely notices and thorough documentation, and distinguishes between time extensions and loss and expense claims. Jacob shares actionable tips for handling delays, acceleration, and disruption costs, empowering subcontractors to safeguard their profit margins and ensure fair compensation under JCT terms. The episode aims to help subcontractors protect their commercial interests and avoid common contractual pitfalls.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The episode explores the importance of program clauses and extensions of time (EOT) in JCT subcontracts, highlighting how they protect subcontractors' margins and manage delay risks.
• Jacob explains that delays must be formally notified and evidenced; otherwise, subcontractors risk being unfairly blamed and incurring costs for delays outside their control.
• Time (EOT) and money (loss and expense) are separate contractual tracks—securing more time doesn’t automatically entitle you to compensation for disruption.
• Common pitfalls include vague or late notices, relying on flawed recovery programs, and failing to keep clear records of delays and their impacts.
• Jacob emphasises the need for consistent administration: keeping simple logs, issuing timely notices, and substantiating claims with clear evidence.
• The episode concludes that good record-keeping and proactive communication are key to safeguarding both time and cost entitlements under JCT subcontracts.

BEST MOMENTS:

"Contracts don't run on what people can see. They run on black and white—what's been notified, evidenced and complied with."

"You can be busy on site, work till you're blue in the face and still lose the job commercially."

"The extension of time protects the program and your margin, and prevents main contractors from pushing delay risk down to you quietly when you don't expect it."

"If your paperwork doesn't answer those two questions and do it clearly, then the contractor can keep arguing about entitlement forever and delay the only thing that you really want, which is commercial closure."

"Acceleration costs money… If the contractor isn’t willing to do that, then that tells you they want the benefit of the acceleration without putting their hand in their pocket."

"These kind of documents—they’re not just paperwork. These are records. These are leverage."

HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to over £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/

www.qs.zone/all-links

In episode 127 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin continues his JCT Subcontract mini-series guiding UK construction business owners through the updated JCT 2024 subcontract payment processes. He explains key topics including payment timelines, notices, pay less traps, and compliant application submissions. Kyle shares practical strategies to protect cash flow, avoid common payment pitfalls, and leverage contract law. Emphasising organisation and proactive management, he highlights how following proper procedures ensures timely payments and reduces disputes, empowering subcontractors to strengthen their financial stability and grow their businesses under the new JCT framework.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The episode breaks down the JCT 2024 payment process, emphasising the importance of understanding due dates, payment notices, and Payless notices to protect subcontractor cash flow.
• Submitting payment applications on time and in the correct format is critical; late or non-compliant submissions can delay payments and weaken your position.
• Applications must be clear, cumulative, and substantiated with evidence so they are easy for contractors to assess and difficult to reject.
• The episode highlights common contractor tactics like invalid application rejections, vague Payless notices, and unjustified contra charges, and explains how to challenge them.
• Retention money should be tracked and claimed promptly, with the Construction Act preventing contractors from withholding it based on upstream payments.
• The new JCT 2024 streamlines payment processes and aligns closely with the Construction Act, making it essential for subcontractors to follow procedures and enforce their rights to timely payment.

BEST MOMENTS:

"Most failed subcontractors don't go under because they can't do the work. They do it because they fund the job for too long."

"In UK construction, getting paid isn't about who's right, it's about who's followed the process and who's got the leverage."

"If you submit late, the whole process is knocked back by however many days you were late."

"Many SMEs understandably focus on price, scope and program and gloss over the legal terms, but design liability is one area where a few little sentences can completely change the game."

"Make the assessment as easy as possible for them to certify; you don't want to hear, 'We can't assess this,' or, 'We need more information.'"

"Retention is a contractual mechanism to secure performance against defects—it's not a general cash buffer.”

HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to over £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/

www.qs.zone/all-links