In episode 30 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin shares a five-step model to help subcontractors manage and claim entitlement to changes in construction projects. He emphasises the importance of clear documentation, contract comprehension, and valuation methods for variations. The steps include establishing the variation, defining the change under the contract, valuing the change, applying variation rules, and providing supporting evidence. Jacob's guidance aims to empower subcontractors to navigate change management effectively and secure fair compensation for additional work. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Milestone Achieved: Celebrating 30 episodes and six months of educational information for subcontractors. The ongoing issue of change management: Subcontractors regularly face conflicts and challenges related to change management and variations in construction projects. The frustration of unclear changes: The frustration of receiving a valuation from a subcontractor without clear instruction or knowledge of changes creates fallout. Establishing entitlement to changes: Making it easy for the contractor to understand and approve variations will ensure proper payment. Five simple steps to establish entitlement: A detailed guide on how subcontractors can follow a five-step model to establish their entitlement to changes. BEST MOMENTS: "Change can be one of the most difficult things to overcome." “One of the most frustrating things that can happen as a contractor is to receive a valuation from a subcontractor, and it's got changes that you don't know about.” "It's really frustrating because it just ends up in arguments." "That bit of time is well spent and it will turn into you getting the amounts of money that you're due." “Come application time, you can then just put it on your variation sheet, safe in the knowledge that you've done everything you can to get your hands on the money.”   Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on. 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 £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