The Commercial Consultant Handbook · 2026

Freelance is a different job. Not a better-paid one.

An honest, practical guide for Quantity Surveyors thinking about contracting, and for those already doing it who want to sense-check the way they work.

Written with Matt, who runs our contract desk, from years of conversations with freelance QSs across UK construction.

Some of it will talk you out of it, or at least out of doing it this year. That is deliberate.

What's inside.

• Part one. Before you go freelance: is it right for you, scope-led not seat-led, money and runway, NEC and RICS
• Part two. Setting yourself up properly: company, accountant, tax, insurance, IR35 in plain English, pricing the scope
• Part three. Winning your first contract: protecting your CV, notice periods, the first rate, interviews and references
• Part four. Building a consultancy: reputation, handovers, repeat clients, keeping the network warm, avoiding burnout
• Useful resources, and a note to finish on

Free. No catch.

From the handbook

"Freelancing is not a better-paid version of your permanent job. It is a different job."

Part one · Before you go freelance

"Not ready yet is a complete sentence."

Part one · Is freelancing right for you

"You are not another pair of hands. You are the answer to a specific commercial question."

Part one · Be scope-led, not seat-led

"Runway does more than pay the bills. It buys you the right to say no."

Part one · Money, and the runway nobody regrets having

Free download

Get the handbook.

An email address and nothing else.

What people have said · Google reviews

Matt helped us place a freelance QS whilst we had an opening for a new full time position.

Andy Pickering · June 2026

Matt sourced the freelance position at the company I wanted to work for, and negotiated terms perfectly.

James Hughes · May 2026

They came highly recommended from a close friend. When I was ready for my next commission, I reached out.

Matthew B · August 2026