The Ripple Effect of Quality: How Your Work Impacts Reputation and Repeat Business

In episode 102 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin breaks highlights the vital role of quality workmanship in UK construction. He explains how high standards drive profitability, legal compliance, and reputation, referencing real-world cases and new regulations like the Building Safety Act 2022. Jacob shares practical, scalable quality control methods—such as checklists, sign-off sheets, peer reviews, and technology—tailored for small and medium subcontractors. He illustrates the risks of poor quality and the business benefits of consistent excellence, emphasising that delivering quality is essential for repeat business, client trust, and long-term success in today’s competitive construction industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

•  Importance of quality workmanship in the UK construction industry
•  Financial implications of poor quality work, including costs and legal risks
•  Practical quality control methods for small and medium-sized subcontractors
•  Role of technology in enhancing quality control processes
•  Strategies for fostering a culture of quality within subcontracting teams

BEST MOMENTS:

"If you think good quality is expensive, then try poor quality. And in construction, that's truer than ever."

"You either control the quality on your build, or it will control you in the form of callbacks, defects, and complaints."

"Failing to meet quality expectations risks ruining your reputation and your opportunities for repeat business, as clients will rightly look elsewhere to protect their scores."

"Your last job has always got to be seen as your calling card for the next job. Make sure that calling card has a five star rating on it."

"Quality equals reputation equals opportunity. Every site is an opportunity to prove your quality. Do it well. And people remember."

 

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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