Taking the Con out of Construction

H Squared Construction Ltd
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

'Taking the Con out of Construction' is the straight-talking podcast for contractors, developers, and construction business owners who want to stay in control of their projects, protect their cash, and avoid costly mistakes.  Featuring Michelle Carr, Chartered CIOB professional and founder of H Squared Construction and Construction Alchemy, the show draws on 25+ years of experience rescuing projects and safeguarding investments across the UK construction industry. We break down the biggest challenges in construction, from contracts and cash flow to disputes and profit margins, and share practical steps to keep your projects on track. Whether you’re a subcontractor, developer, property flipper, or just starting out, you’ll get insider insights, actionable advice, and a fresh perspective on how to turn complexity into clarity. Together, we can change the industry one project, one company, and one episode at a time. Find Michelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/    Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find H Squared Construction on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy  For further information on Construction Alchemy, visit https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/  Find Construction Alchemy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-alchemy-limited Contact us at info@constructionalchemy.co.uk CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk   DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor Construction Alchemy accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.  

  1. Construction Must Change | From Reckless to Commercially Mature (Season 2 Finale)

    Mar 25

    Construction Must Change | From Reckless to Commercially Mature (Season 2 Finale)

    In the season two finale of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr brings together the core themes to address one defining issue: the gap between reactive, outdated practices and true commercial maturity. Across the season, we’ve explored cash flow, contracts, systems, accountability, leadership, and risk. This episode connects the dots — showing how these challenges are not isolated problems, but symptoms of a wider issue: an industry still operating reactively instead of proactively. Michelle challenges the cycle of firefighting and avoidance, shifting the focus toward prevention, accountability, and stronger leadership. From supporting apprentices to improving collaboration and emotional intelligence on site, she outlines what modern construction leadership needs to look like. Looking ahead, she also examines how digital tools, AI, and upcoming compliance and tax changes will expose weak systems and outdated ways of working, forcing businesses to either adapt or fall behind. This episode is a clear call to action and a reset point for the industry: Stop reacting. Start leading. Build properly. Because commercial maturity isn’t optional, it’s what separates businesses that survive from those that scale. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    21 min
  2. Built to Lead: Supporting and Retaining Women in Construction | Leadership, Culture & Industry Change

    Mar 18

    Built to Lead: Supporting and Retaining Women in Construction | Leadership, Culture & Industry Change

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores where real influence in construction truly comes from, and why job titles alone rarely tell the full story. Michelle explains how authority on site is earned through experience, decision-making, and the ability to perform under pressure. She also examines the barriers women still face in gaining that influence, including sexism, safety concerns, childcare pressures, and inadequate site facilities. The conversation highlights the strengths women often bring to project teams; from risk awareness and negotiation skills to emotional intelligence, and how these qualities can help balance high-pressure, ego-driven environments. Michelle also shares the work being done through Construction Alchemy and the Built to Lead programme to help construction businesses strengthen leadership, improve commercial protection, and create environments that attract and retain more women. Stronger, more balanced teams ultimately deliver stronger projects. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    41 min
  3. Operational Leadership & Diverse Thinking | Inclusion, Neurodiversity & Modern Construction

    Mar 11

    Operational Leadership & Diverse Thinking | Inclusion, Neurodiversity & Modern Construction

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr challenges the way construction talks about diversity, and reframes the conversation around something far more commercially powerful: diverse thinking. Drawing on her lived experience in a male-dominated industry, alongside clinical diagnoses including bipolar disorder, ADHD and complex PTSD, Michelle speaks candidly about what true inclusion actually looks like in practice, and why the sector can no longer afford to treat it as a tick-box exercise. This isn’t about optics. It’s about operational performance. Michelle argues that stronger leadership, clearer communication, and better project outcomes come from understanding how different minds process risk, information, conflict and pressure. When leaders recognise cognitive diversity, not just demographic diversity, teams make better decisions and projects stabilise. She also addresses the practical barriers many still face, including: Inadequate site facilitiesPersistent bias and bullyingThe disconnect between diversity policies and meaningful retention supportThe cost of performative inclusion without structural changeThe episode makes a clear case: inclusion is not a moral add-on, it is a leadership and risk management issue. Modern construction requires operational leaders who can build teams that think better, challenge better, communicate better, and ultimately deliver better. This is about modernising the industry from the inside out, not with slogans, but with standards. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    35 min
  4. Belonging in a Changing Construction Industry | Leadership, Regulation & Cultural Change

    Mar 4

    Belonging in a Changing Construction Industry | Leadership, Regulation & Cultural Change

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores a subject that is both deeply personal and professionally urgent: belonging. Reflecting on her own journey; building a freelance career, moving frequently as a single parent, and recognising that her daughter’s sense of belonging was closely tied to her own stability, resilience and identity, Michelle examines how confidence, leadership and professional identity are shaped by whether we feel we truly belong. But this isn’t just personal. It’s happening across construction. Many leaders no longer feel they “belong” in an industry that looks nothing like the one they entered. The old handshake culture has been replaced by layers of compliance, collateral warranties, increased use of bonds, rapid AI adoption, stricter adjudication rules penalising missed payment notices, and sweeping regulatory reform following the Grenfell Tower fire that reshaped standards across the sector. Michelle urges businesses to prepare for Making Tax Digital and growing labour status risks, and makes a compelling case for listening to the administrative backbone of construction companies; the people who often identify risk long before it escalates. Belonging in today’s construction industry isn’t about clinging to the past. It’s about adapting. Raising standards. Strengthening accountability. Embracing diversity. And increasing the number of women in construction so the industry better reflects the society it builds for. This episode is a call to stop resisting change, and start leading through it. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    34 min
  5. Construction Needs Standards | Accountability, Ethics & Raising the Bar

    Feb 25

    Construction Needs Standards | Accountability, Ethics & Raising the Bar

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr delivers a clear and uncompromising message: construction isn’t failing because of a lack of talent or ideas, it’s failing because poor practice has been allowed to become normal. Chaos has been tolerated. Corners have been cut. Responsibility has been dodged. Over time, these behaviours have been dismissed as “just how the industry works.” Michelle challenges that mindset head-on. She explores how construction shifted from trust-based relationships to heavily amended, legally complex contracts that often create misalignment, confusion, and opportunities for unethical behaviour. Instead of collaboration, many projects now operate in environments where risk is pushed down the supply chain, payments are withheld through legal pressure, and those without strong commercial understanding are left exposed. This episode isn’t about blame, it’s about standards. Michelle explains why real change won’t come from rebranding the industry or simply attracting new entrants. It comes from behaviour. From accountability. From consistently raising the bar across contracts, communication, and commercial decision-making. Because when standards rise, trust returns. And when trust returns, projects stabilise, businesses strengthen, and the industry performs better as a whole. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    25 min
  6. Why Most Construction Projects Fail Before Site Starts | Planning, Risk & Commercial Control

    Feb 18

    Why Most Construction Projects Fail Before Site Starts | Planning, Risk & Commercial Control

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr exposes one of the most costly and avoidable mistakes in the industry: rushing to site before the foundations of the project are truly ready. Too many construction projects are effectively set up to fail before work even begins. Contracts are skim-read, designs are poorly coordinated, commercial risks are underestimated, and teams are pushed on-site under pressure to “just get started.” The result is familiar: delays, disputes, cash flow strain, and margins quietly eroded long before problems become visible. Michelle breaks down why the pre-construction phase is where projects are really won or lost. She explains how investing time upfront in planning, design coordination, contract understanding, and commercial oversight creates control, resilience, and stronger outcomes on site. The episode also explores the role of front-end leadership, how early decisions shape motivation and performance during delivery, and why fractional commercial support can be a game-changer for growing construction businesses that need expertise without full-time overheads. The message is simple but powerful: preparation isn’t a delay, it’s protection. Get the start right, and everything that follows becomes smoother, stronger, and more profitable. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    38 min
  7. Retaining Commercial Protection | Protecting Margin and Cash Flow in Construction

    Feb 11

    Retaining Commercial Protection | Protecting Margin and Cash Flow in Construction

    In this episode of Taking the Con out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice on commercial protection — and why failing to protect your commercial position quietly destroys margin, cash flow, and control for contractors and construction business owners. Michelle gets straight to the uncomfortable truth most construction businesses only learn the hard way: if you don’t actively protect your commercial position, problems compound long before they ever show up on a balance sheet. She breaks down what commercial protection really means in practice — not legal jargon or box-ticking, but the real-world actions that safeguard profitability when projects come under pressure. From underestimated commercial risk to the costly consequences of weak contracts and poor documentation, Michelle explains where construction businesses are most exposed. The episode also explores the critical role of knowledgeable Quantity Surveyors in contract formation, why understanding contractual obligations is non-negotiable, and how investing in people, processes, and commercial strategy builds resilience in a volatile construction industry. If you want to stop reacting to commercial disasters and start running a construction business that’s protected, profitable, and built to last, this episode is essential listening. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    29 min
  8. Avoiding Crisis in Construction | Protecting Investments, Teams, and Cash Flow

    Feb 4

    Avoiding Crisis in Construction | Protecting Investments, Teams, and Cash Flow

    In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr shares practical construction business advice for contractors, developers, and project leaders on avoiding crisis and protecting investments. Going straight to the sharp end of the industry, she draws on decades of experience rescuing failing projects and supporting funders and developers under pressure. Michelle explains how most construction crises don’t happen overnight, but slowly emerge through poor communication, underfunding, and avoidance of difficult conversations. Using real-world examples, she shows how transparency, ethical decision-making, and small, achievable wins stabilise projects, safeguard cash flow, and align teams. This episode is essential listening for anyone wanting to prevent costly mistakes and run construction projects with control, clarity, and confidence. Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find Michelle Carr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/   H Squared Construction: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy. Find out more about Construction Alchemy here: https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/   CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor H Squared Construction accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.

    34 min
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About

'Taking the Con out of Construction' is the straight-talking podcast for contractors, developers, and construction business owners who want to stay in control of their projects, protect their cash, and avoid costly mistakes.  Featuring Michelle Carr, Chartered CIOB professional and founder of H Squared Construction and Construction Alchemy, the show draws on 25+ years of experience rescuing projects and safeguarding investments across the UK construction industry. We break down the biggest challenges in construction, from contracts and cash flow to disputes and profit margins, and share practical steps to keep your projects on track. Whether you’re a subcontractor, developer, property flipper, or just starting out, you’ll get insider insights, actionable advice, and a fresh perspective on how to turn complexity into clarity. Together, we can change the industry one project, one company, and one episode at a time. Find Michelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-d-carr/    Visit https://h2construction.uk/ to learn more. Find H Squared Construction on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/h2-commercial-consultancy  For further information on Construction Alchemy, visit https://constructionalchemy.co.uk/  Find Construction Alchemy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-alchemy-limited Contact us at info@constructionalchemy.co.uk CREDITS: 'Taking the Con out of Construction’ is a OneZeroCreative production. Discover how podcasting can grow your brand: https://www.onezerocreative.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-zero-creative Contact us at enquiries@onezerocreative.co.uk   DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are based on the personal experiences of Michelle Carr and her guests. They are for general information only and should not be relied upon as professional or legal advice. Always seek your own independent advice before making decisions. Neither Michelle Carr nor Construction Alchemy accepts liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from actions taken based on this podcast.  

Information

  • Creator
    H Squared Construction Ltd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Taking the Con out of Construction
  • Show Website
    Taking the Con out of Construction