Growth Mini Series - 7 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Taking on Bigger Projects

In episode 106 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin concludes a mini-series on scaling subcontracting businesses by winning larger projects without overstretching. Aimed at construction business owners, this episode highlights seven common pitfalls SME subcontractors face—such as cash flow issues, program overruns, and quality control—and offers practical strategies to avoid them. Haile emphasises the importance of planning, monitoring, communication, and reputation management, providing actionable advice to help subcontractors grow sustainably and confidently tackle bigger contracts while maintaining strong industry relationships.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

•  Taking on bigger projects can boost growth for SME subcontractors, but comes with significant risks and challenges.
•  Cash flow bottlenecks are the most common pitfall, so proactive planning and prompt billing are essential.
•  Program overruns and poor cost tracking can erode profits—monitor progress and costs closely to stay on course.
•  Don’t overstretch by juggling too many large projects at once; know your limits and build capacity gradually.
•  Maintain strict quality control and thorough paperwork to avoid costly rework, disputes, and legal issues.
•  Reputation matters—handle setbacks professionally and focus on building trust to unlock future big opportunities.

 

BEST MOMENTS:

"Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality."

"You can't make adjustments if you don't know you're off course."

"Little mistakes can multiply. If your quality control isn't right, you could end up having to rework or spending a lot of time with excessive snagging."

"Don't let short term desperation undermine your reputation."

"Many large contractors are actually keen to bring small and medium enterprises up through the ladder and up into bigger work."

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/

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