In episode 37 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin delves into the critical role of project reporting for subcontractors within the construction industry. He emphasises the necessity for thorough documentation and outlines the essential components that should be incorporated into these reports to ensure transparency and accountability. This episode is a must-listen for construction business owners looking to streamline their project management processes and enhance communication with their subcontracting teams. KEY TAKEAWAYS: What records subcontractors should keep on a regular basis Records can both support claims for delays to the contractor and help to defend the subcontractor from delays, damages and contra charges Many of these records can be simply recorded and captured in monthly walk arounds Progress photos are a simple and powerful tool to document the site, particularly if taken regularly The simplest metric of tracking weekly man hours can support and protect subcontractors BEST MOMENTS: "If things end up turning for the worse and you end up in a delay situation with fingers being pointed at you, the best way to defend that is to have taken contemporary records as and when issues crop up." "Those times when you need the records the most are probably the times when you've been least on top of keeping them, particularly if the relationship starts to get a bit fractious." "The best thing to do is just to be honest about it and say, 'Look, this has happened,' and even better if you can present something to say, 'And this is what I'm going to do to make it better." 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