Categories: Hiring, Industry 

In the high-pressure world of construction and engineering assembling a strong commercial team seems like a no-brainer. But when that team lacks the right elements, the consequences can be wide-ranging, impacting not just project timelines and budgets, but also safety, morale, and your company's reputation.

This post dives into the hidden costs of a poorly built commercial team and explores strategies to mitigate those risks.

The High Price of a Low-Performing Team:

Hidden costs that can arise from a team lacking the right skills, experience, or cohesion:

• Missed Deadlines and Budget Overruns: Ineffective communication, knowledge gaps, and rework due to errors can significantly delay projects and inflate budgets. A strong QS ensures clear communication throughout the project, identifies potential issues early on, and keeps your project on track.

• Safety Issues: When a QS lacks experience or training, they may miss critical safety protocols or fail to identify potential hazards. This can lead to accidents, legal ramifications, and project delays.

• Low Morale and High Staff Turnover: An underperforming commercial team can create a stressful and unproductive work environment for everyone involved. This leads to low morale, decreased productivity, and ultimately, staff turnover.

• Client Dissatisfaction: Delays, cost overruns, and safety incidents can severely damage client relationships and hinder future project opportunities. A skilled QS fosters trust and transparency with clients, keeping them informed and satisfied throughout the project.

Investing in the Right QS Team Pays Off:

Building a strong QS team is an investment in the success of your project, and your company. Here's how a high-performing commercial team delivers value:

• On-Time Project Delivery: Efficient teams complete projects within deadlines, avoiding costly delays. A skilled QS anticipates potential issues and proactively develops solutions, keeping your project on schedule.

• Reduced Costs: Minimised rework, clear communication throughout the project team, and strategic team composition lead to significant cost savings. A strong QS identifies and eliminates potential cost overruns before they occur.

• Improved Safety Record: Strong QS teams prioritise safety through effective communication and ensure all team members are properly trained.

• Enhanced Client Relationships: Satisfied clients become repeat clients, promoting long-term business growth. A skilled QS fosters trust and transparency with clients, keeping them informed and proactively addressing any concerns.

The impact of a strong team extends far beyond a single project. By investing in team building, you're fostering a culture of collaboration, expertise, and efficiency. This translates into:

• A Talent Pipeline: A well-built team becomes a breeding ground for future commercial leads, ensuring a pipeline of talent for your company's ongoing success.

• Enhanced Reputation: Repeated project successes built on strong teams solidify your company's reputation for reliability and excellence, attracting even more valuable projects and becoming a desirable place to work for all levels of quantity surveyors.

• Sustainable Growth: Building strong teams isn't just about the present project; it's about building a foundation for long-term growth and stability within your company.

Studies by McKinsey & Company (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/engineering-construction-and-building-materials/our-insights) estimate that construction projects in the UK typically experience cost overruns of 20-30% compared to the initial budget. While not all of this stems from poorly built teams, a significant portion can be attributed to issues like:

• Ineffective communication: Misunderstandings and delays in communication between team members and clients lead to rework and project delays.

• Skills gaps: Teams lacking the necessary expertise can contribute to design flaws, safety issues, and inefficiencies.

• Poor team dynamics: Low morale and dysfunctional teams can hinder productivity and collaboration.



By carefully curating your commercial team, a talent specialist can help you assess your project needs, identify the right person, and build a team that delivers exceptional results, on time and on budget.