Exclusive Services for Contractors and Developers

Discovery & Strategic Alignment for Contractors
For Principal Contractors, success hinges on securing profitable projects and executing them flawlessly from the outset. Our Initial "Discovery & Strategic Alignment" service is a strategic pre-bid or pre-commencement engagement designed to provide the critical insights and foundational clarity required to de-risk projects, enhance bid accuracy, and ensure robust project setup.

What it is:
This is a dedicated, expert-led consultation focused on the unique complexities of your prospective or newly awarded project. We conduct a deep dive into project specifications, site conditions, and stakeholder requirements, meticulously identifying potential challenges and opportunities before significant resources are committed. This initial phase lays the crucial groundwork for a successful "Project Foundation" and subsequent execution.

What you gain:

Precise Project Objectives & Scope Definition: Collaborate to clearly define project goals, detailed scope boundaries, and key performance indicators (KPIs). This ensures alignment with client expectations, optimises resource allocation, and enhances the accuracy of your bid submissions or project plans.

Comprehensive Pre-Construction Risk Identification & Mitigation: Proactively identify and assess critical project risks, including site-specific constraints, logistical complexities, and the presence of hazardous materials such as asbestos (a common concern in structures built prior to 2000). We develop preliminary mitigation strategies to de-risk the project lifecycle, protect your margins, and ensure robust health & safety planning.

CDM 2015 Principal Contractor Duties Clarification: Gain a clear understanding of your legal obligations as Principal Contractor under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This includes guidance on pre-construction information management, the appointment of competent duty holders, and initial health & safety file requirements, ensuring compliance and strengthening your H&S framework from inception.

Key Stakeholder & Supply Chain Mapping: Identify all critical project stakeholders, including client representatives, design teams, and potential key subcontractors. Develop a preliminary strategy for effective collaboration, communication flow, and early engagement with your supply chain, enhancing project delivery efficiency.

Tailored Pre-Construction Plan Outline: Receive a clear, actionable framework for the comprehensive "Project Foundation" phase. This outline details the strategic steps required to optimise project setup, streamline pre-construction activities, and prepare for efficient, compliant execution.

Your Investment for Discovery & Strategic Alignment:

This initial, high-value service is offered at a fixed fee, reflecting the intensive expertise and strategic output provided.

This investment covers our dedicated time for in-depth consultation, preliminary project analysis, and the creation of your tailored pre-construction outline.

It provides invaluable clarity, de-risks your project pipeline, and strengthens your strategic planning before committing to full project mobilisation.

Should you decide to proceed with our comprehensive "Project Foundation" service for detailed planning, this initial fee will be credited against its total cost, ensuring your upfront investment directly contributes to your overall project success.

Time Allocation: This focused phase typically involves approximately 8-10 dedicated hours of our expert time, including initial discussions, any preliminary desktop research, and preparing your tailored next-steps proposal.

Essential Oversight Tier: Strategic Monitoring for Core Project Health
This tier is engineered for professional contractors and construction companies seeking proactive, high-level oversight without requiring daily intensive on-site management. It provides a crucial professional "second pair of eyes" to continuously monitor project health, ensuring compliance and early issue detection for sustained operational stability.

What's Included:

Monthly Performance Review: A dedicated, in-depth meeting (virtual or on-site, as project logistics allow) to critically assess overall project status, key performance indicators (KPIs), and strategic progression against your agreed plan.

Comprehensive Report Analysis: Rigorous review and analysis of your project's submitted progress reports, financial updates, and safety documentation from site teams and subcontractors.

Proactive Issue Identification & Compliance Flagging: Early detection of potential deviations from schedule, budget variances, quality concerns, or emerging compliance risks (including those related to CDM 2015 or asbestos management protocols).

Priority Communication Channel: Direct access via email and phone for immediate queries, minor guidance, and expert consultation on emerging challenges.

Time Allocation: Approximately 5-8 dedicated hours per month of our expert operational management time.

Ideal for: Smaller to medium-sized projects with established site management, or for contractors who require consistent, professional validation and strategic input to complement their internal resources, focusing on maintaining fundamental project control and compliance.

Project Foundation Package Includes for Your Projects:
Building on the strategic insights gained during our Initial "Discovery & Strategic Alignment", we deliver a comprehensive planning and setup phase through the following core services:

Dedicated Project Planning & Scope Definition Workshop:

What it is: A focused, collaborative workshop (or a series of strategic meetings) where we delve deep into the project's intricacies. We work alongside your team to precisely define the detailed scope, agree on quantifiable objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs), and establish all project deliverables.

Benefit to Your Company: Ensures absolute clarity and alignment across your internal teams, design consultants, supply chain, and client expectations. This proactive approach significantly reduces scope creep, minimises costly variations, and streamlines project handovers.

Comprehensive Risk Assessment & Mitigation Strategy (with Focus on Operational & Compliance Risks):

What it is: We conduct a thorough, forensic analysis of potential project risks, extending beyond standard construction hazards to include:

Site-Specific Constraints: Identifying logistical challenges, access limitations, ground conditions, and environmental factors.

Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management: Leveraging our expertise, especially with structures built prior to 2000, we'll establish a clear, compliant strategy for the safe management or removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, crucial for workforce safety and regulatory adherence.

Supply Chain Resilience: Assessing potential vulnerabilities in material availability, lead times, and subcontractor performance.

Operational Bottlenecks: Identifying potential process inefficiencies or coordination challenges.

Regulatory Compliance: Highlighting specific requirements beyond CDM 2015 relevant to the project type or location (e.g., local authority approvals, environmental permits).

Benefit to Your Company: Provides invaluable foresight, enabling proactive decision-making. By identifying and strategically planning for these risks upfront, we help you avoid costly delays, unforeseen expenses, legal liabilities, and reputational damage, directly impacting your project's profitability.

Optimised Preliminary Project Schedule:

What it is: A clear, phased program outlining critical path activities, key milestones, and logical work breakdowns. This dynamic schedule integrates design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.

Benefit to Your Company: Establishes a realistic and achievable timeline for the project, allowing for efficient resource planning, early identification of potential scheduling conflicts, and effective progress monitoring. It strengthens your ability to meet client deadlines and manage subcontractor performance.

Resource & Logistics Optimisation Framework:

What it is: We assist in developing a robust plan for the optimal allocation and sequencing of your workforce, plant, and materials. This includes guidance on site setup, welfare facilities, and waste management strategies.

Benefit to Your Company: Enhances productivity, minimises idle time and material waste, and improves overall site logistics. This framework directly contributes to improved operational efficiency and reduced project overheads.

Initial Stakeholder & Communication Management Plan:

What it is: A structured strategy for transparent and effective information flow among all key project stakeholders, including the client, design team, subcontractors, local authorities, and internal teams.

Benefit to Your Company: Fosters seamless collaboration, minimises misunderstandings, and proactively manages expectations. Clear communication channels reduce disputes, streamline decision-making, and ensure all parties remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

Comprehensive Guidance on Principal Contractor CDM 2015 Duties:

What it is: In-depth guidance on your specific legal duties and responsibilities as the Principal Contractor under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This covers pre-construction information management, ensuring suitable appointments of duty holders (Principal Designer, Principal Contractor), and the development of the Construction Phase Plan.

Benefit to Your Company: Ensures robust legal compliance, mitigates the risk of enforcement actions or fines, and strengthens your company's health and safety culture and documentation from the very beginning of the project.

Your Investment in a Confident Start:
The Project Foundation full package represents a strategic, one-time investment that significantly de-risks your projects and strengthens your competitive position by preventing costly oversights and delays.

Fixed Fee: £500 - £2,000 per project

This fee is precisely tailored to the specific size, complexity, and unique requirements of your project. It offers transparent, predictable pricing for a comprehensive suite of planning deliverables, ensuring no hidden costs.

Day Rate: £350 - £700 per day

For highly bespoke or larger, more complex projects requiring intensive, hands-on planning workshops and extensive documentation, we may work on a day rate. This phase typically requires 1-3 days of our focused expert time.

Remember: If you've already completed our Initial "Discovery & Strategic Alignment" service, the fee paid for that initial phase will be fully credited against the total cost of your Project Foundation package, maximising the value of your upfront investment.

Project Foundation for Contractors delivers the detailed, expert-led planning required to launch your construction projects with unwavering clarity, strategic control, and assured compliance, paving the way for superior execution and increased profitability.

Active Management Support Tier: Proactive Management for Enhanced Project Control
This tier is designed for professional contractors and developers seeking hands-on operational involvement and diligent management to keep projects actively on track, mitigate emerging issues, and sustain momentum. It provides a robust layer of support, ideal for augmenting your existing teams or providing dedicated oversight where internal capacity is stretched.

What's Included:

Frequent Site Meetings & Progress Reviews: Engage with your project and site teams through bi-weekly or weekly site meetings and detailed progress reviews. This ensures consistent oversight and real-time problem-solving directly at the operational level.

Dynamic Schedule Tracking & Optimisation: Meticulous monitoring of your project's critical path and overall timeline. We proactively identify potential bottlenecks and adjust strategies as necessary to maintain momentum, ensuring key milestones are met efficiently.

Continuous Risk Monitoring & Mitigation: Benefit from the continuous identification and rapid response to evolving site-specific risks. This includes managing logistical challenges, environmental factors (e.g., noise, dust containment), access routes, and ensuring strict adherence to asbestos management protocols for projects in older buildings.

Principal Contractor-Subcontractor Liaison: We act as a professional intermediary, facilitating clear communication and ensuring adherence to scope, quality, and schedule between your principal contractor team and all subcontractors.

Subcontractor Coordination Support: Dedicated assistance in aligning specialist trades and individual subcontractors with the overall project flow, enhancing site efficiency and reducing interface conflicts.

Time Allocation: Approximately 10-15 dedicated hours per month of our expert operational management time.

Ideal for: Medium-sized projects requiring closer operational guidance, busy contractors juggling multiple sites who need reliable project-level support, or complex phases where intensified professional oversight is critical to maintaining control and driving efficiency.

On-Site Management & Specialist Sourcing Solutions
Beyond our core planning and oversight services, COMS also offers vital on-site and resource solutions to further streamline your projects and fill crucial gaps in your team:

Full-Time Site Managers:

Need dedicated, experienced leadership on your project site? We can supply skilled and competent Site Managers to oversee daily operations, ensure health & safety compliance, manage subcontractors, maintain quality standards, and keep your project progressing efficiently according to plan. Our Site Managers are adept at problem-solving and maintaining site discipline.

Rate: Available for £325 per day.

Expert Contractor Sourcing:

Finding the right contractors for your project can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly for specialist tasks or in a competitive market like Nottinghamshire. Leverage our extensive network and industry insight to efficiently source qualified, reliable, and vetted contractors for any phase of your build. We connect you with professionals who meet your specific project requirements, quality standards, and budget.

Dedicated Partnership Tier: Integrated Operational Leadership for Maximised Project Delivery
This tier offers comprehensive, integrated operational leadership, functioning as a seamless extension of your management team. It's designed for Principal Contractors managing large, highly complex, or strategically critical projects that demand continuous, high-level expertise and active on-site presence without the long-term commitment of an in-house hire. We embed ourselves within your project's operational flow to ensure meticulous control and superior execution.

What's Included:

Frequent & Intensive Site Presence: We provide regular, in-depth site visits, offering direct oversight of daily operations. This ensures proactive problem-solving, immediate issue resolution, and real-time support for your site teams.

In-depth Operational Management: Assume significant control over day-to-day project operations. This includes ensuring strict adherence to the Construction Phase Plan, upholding quality benchmarks, managing site logistics, and enforcing rigorous health and safety standards, including meticulous asbestos management protocols.

Detailed Budget & Cost Control: Implement close monitoring of project expenditure against the budget, identifying potential variances early and implementing corrective actions to prevent overruns and safeguard your project's profitability.

Full Contractor & Subcontractor Performance Management: Drive comprehensive coordination, conduct regular performance reviews, and lead swift issue resolution with all on-site teams. We ensure all trades are aligned, productive, and delivering to contracted specifications.

Strategic Client Liaison & Expectation Management: Maintain proactive and continuous communication with your end client. This includes providing detailed progress updates, managing expectations, and resolving concerns to ensure client satisfaction and strong stakeholder relationships.

Robust Issue Resolution & Crisis Management: Lead and facilitate decisive solutions for complex operational, technical, or logistical challenges that arise during the construction phase, minimizing impact on schedule and budget.

Time Allocation: Approximately 16-24+ dedicated hours per month of our expert operational management time, flexibly adjusted to align with your project's specific complexity and intensity.

Ideal for: Principal Contractors overseeing large-scale, intricate, or high-value projects, where comprehensive external expertise is required to augment internal capacity, ensure peak performance, and mitigate significant risks. This tier provides unparalleled peace of mind and operational efficiency.

For any specific tasks or ad-hoc support required beyond the scope of your agreed monthly retainer, our transparent hourly rate of £60 - £120 per hour applies.

Our Project Guardian retainer model ensures your projects benefit from consistent, expert oversight, proactive problem-solving, and seamless management from start to finish, protecting your investment and driving successful outcomes.