Insights

What we are seeing, and the answers to the questions we get asked most.

Field Notes CN-FN-002: The Question Nobody Asked
By Elaine Milburn • April 21, 2026
Field notes from Rob Smith is Head of Commercial with over 20 years of experience spanning rail, infrastructure, nuclear, aviation and commercial construction.
By Elaine Milburn • March 10, 2026
Davin Dhillon on the Own the Build podcast with Paul Heming: what 40 senior commercial leaders said about the road to Commercial Director.
Field Notes CN-FN-001: Being Right Isn’t the Job. Being Heard Is
By Davin Dhillon • March 6, 2026
Commercial Manager Rebecca Jones on the hidden energy cost of being a woman in construction, and why the industry's problem isn't the pipeline. A Field Notes conversation.
Insight CN-IN-013: The 2026 QS forecast
By clearnorth • November 5, 2025
Where the QS market is heading in 2026: rates, demand and project pipelines, and what it means for your next career decision.
Insight CN-IN-012: The QS guide to utilities in the North West
By clearnorth • October 13, 2025
AMP8 and the utilities boom in the North West: where the QS work is, what the contracts look like and what it means for your career.
By clearnorth • October 7, 2025
HMRC tried to strike out evidence from its own CEST tool. What that says about IR35 status checks, and what contract QSs should do now.
By clearnorth • October 7, 2025
Seniority grows, responsibility piles on, and the reward does not always keep pace. What happens to commercial pay as you move up.
By clearnorth • October 7, 2025
Some QSs started on site, others at university. Which background sets you up best for a commercial role, and where each one falls short.
By clearnorth • October 1, 2025
A guide for employers hiring freelance Quantity Surveyors: when contract makes sense, what it costs and how to get the right person in.
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Rather talk it through? The Career Insight Call is for Quantity Surveyors. The Navigation Call is for commercial leaders. Neither is about a vacancy.