In episode 41 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin brought his extensive experience with NEC contracts to the table. We dove into the intricacies of managing changes under the NEC4 suite of contracts. Jacob highlighted the critical distinction between variations and compensation events, emphasising the importance of using precise terminology to ensure clear communication and proper compensation. He also shared his insights on the timing for submitting compensation events, the need for accurate pricing, and the benefits of including assumptions in quotes. His practical advice is a must-hear for subcontractors looking to navigate the NEC4 contracts with confidence. KEY TAKEAWAYS:  The importance of understanding and administering changes under NEC4 suite of contracts.  Pricing and quoting for compensation events.  Proactive management of timing and communication with main contractor.  Inclusion of assumptions in pricing of compensation events.  Discussion on the importance of Early Warnings, and how they can help you or hinder you if done badly. BEST MOMENTS: It's vital that you get your head into the right frame from the start because you don't want to come to the end of the job and realise, 'Oh, I need another six weeks of time because of all these instructions that have happened.'" “True concurrency is actually quite rare because as much as anything else, just what's the chances.” "We're not saying, 'Right, we want an extra ten weeks now,' we're saying we might need some; we don't want to burden you with ten weeks' worth of out-of-hours costs if we don't need it." "Had I taken that approach with my client, I have no doubt whatsoever that they wouldn't have given me an extra penny." "It's one of those things that clients love to throw around, especially when they're trying to get something done for free." For more information on NEC4 contracts, click here listen to Episode 7: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-subcontractors-blueprint/id1701638267?i=1000635658618 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