In this episode, Jason and Carlos are joined by Thomas Schultz and special guest Peter Fitzpatrick, Project Commercial Director, to explore a role that's either fundamental to how construction projects work or potentially unnecessary, depending on where you stand.

The conversation examines how quantity surveyors and commercial teams operate on major projects, unpacking the significant differences between markets like the UK and Australia. The team debates specialised roles versus the generalist engineer approach, discussing what gets lost and gained when responsibilities shift between team members.

he discussion moves into the relationship dynamics between engineers and QSs, bridging technical knowledge with commercial reality, and how contract structures like NEC shape collaboration on major infrastructure projects. Peter shares insights on disputes, contract administration, and whether the burden of process actually prevents bigger problems down the line.

The episode wraps with each guest proposing one change they'd make to contract structures or delivery models to drive better outcomes.

Timestamps:

04:46 - How the QS role differs between the UK and Australia

22:25 - Do disputes cost more than prevention?

30:53 - Can contracts force collaboration, or is it all about culture?

39:59 - If you could change one thing about contracts, what would it be?