Meet the Team – Jason Paine

Welcome to our ‘Meet the Team’ series, giving you an in-depth insight into the views and expertise of Podium Surveying’s team. The first gives the platform to Jason Paine, Partner whose experience spans over 30 years in the construction industry.

Q1. Autumn 2022 will be remembered for years to come, with a new Prime Minister, the mini-budget, rising inflation and the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. What’s it like right now working in the property and construction sector? 

I have worked in the construction industry for over 30 years, and there have always been peaks and troughs caused by numerous external factors. Whilst many will be hoping for a more settled few months ahead, I believe, particularly with the war in Ukraine, that both fuel and food costs will continue to increase, and this, in turn, can only have the effect of rising construction costs and ultimately impact on clients decisions to push ahead with developments. Construction values are becoming ever more challenging to predict, with some materials increasing in cost by up to 50% due to Brexit and rising inflation, so predicting build costs for larger long-term schemes has become extremely difficult. Work levels are still good, but I just hope we don’t talk ourselves into a recession, as this could have disastrous consequences for the construction industry and those looking to obtain a mortgage and buy new homes, thereby reducing demand.

Q2. When surveying buildings, you must see some unusual sights. Without naming names, what’s one of the strangest things you recall seeing in your career? 

You will be surprised what builders will do on-site when Site Managers’ backs are turned! I am still surprised as to what they use in place of more expensive specified materials. I recall a scheme whilst working for a general practice in Beckenham where I specified the use and compaction of fill material behind a new retaining wall, only to arrive unannounced on-site one day to find the builders using waste from another site, including asbestos, kitchen units, sinks and general rubbish, with two operatives jumping up and down trying to compact this down and several bags of topsoil nearby ready to spread on top. Needless to say, they were removed from site and contra-charged for removal of the waste!

Q3. Did you always want to be a surveyor, or did you have your sights set on another career path?

No, when I first left school, I wanted to be a draughtsman and nearly became an interior designer for a brewery company in Maidstone, Kent. When I was made redundant from this company during the recession of the early 1990s, I nearly became an apprentice carpenter but went for an interview for an Assistant Building Surveyor with Kent County Council, and the rest is, as they say, history.

Q4. Not holding you to your predictions, but what do you see on the horizon for the property and construction industry?

I think the residential sector will continue to grow with the need for more new build properties stronger than ever, given years of declining output. Recent governments have all committed to increasing new build numbers, and even with a recession being touted in some quarters, I cannot see this reducing. Residential and commercial refurbishments, I believe, will remain steady unless the economy falters.

Q5. What advice would you give your younger self and those now embarking on their career in building surveying and property construction?

Other than advising my younger self to buy shares in Microsoft and Apple, I would say that when looking for employment, look for a company willing to invest money and time into your personal development. Listen to the more experienced Surveyors and make sure you soak up the knowledge they divulge to you. I would also suggest gaining experience across all sectors, including the commercial sector, education, MOD etc., and find what area of the industry excites you most – you will be spending a long time working within it! Money is important, but a happy working environment where you are valued is just as important.