Strategic Cost Management: Reducing Risk and Maximising Value

Controlling cost from concept to completion, with confidence and transparency.

Why Cost Management Is Important in Construction

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Accurate cost control is more important than ever in a climate of rising inflation, tighter margins, and increasing regulatory complexity. Poor forecasting and reactive decisions don’t just blow budgets; they delay projects, damage trust, and weaken commercial outcomes.

At DQS, our cost management service is built around clarity, collaboration, and control. We support clients through every project stage, helping you forecast accurately, manage risk, and make decisions grounded in real-world data.

How DQS Implements Strategic Cost Control

We provide more than just measurement; we offer comprehensive commercial insights that support better decision-making throughout your project.

1. Early-stage cost planning

We deliver detailed cost estimates based on concept designs, ensuring early feasibility aligns with financial goals.

2. Benchmarking and value analysis

We compare against market rates and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing quality or sustainability.

3. Robust procurement strategy

We assist in developing tender packages that balance competitiveness, risk management, and buildability.

4. Cost reporting and change management

We monitor ongoing project costs, manage change control, and keep stakeholders accurately and promptly informed.

5. Final account and audit support

We facilitate smooth project closure, with clear reconciliation and post-completion review to maximise value recovery.

Tools and Standards We Work With

DQS employs a comprehensive suite of industry-recognised tools and frameworks to deliver clear, consistent, and dependable cost management throughout every phase of your project. Our approach combines best practice standards with customised reporting, ensuring stakeholders have full visibility and confidence in financial decision-making.

We utilise established methodologies such as NRM 1, 2, and 3 (New Rules of Measurement) to produce structured and accurate estimates, while also incorporating BCIS cost data and benchmarking to align your project with current market rates. Additionally, we adhere to RICS cost management guidance, guaranteeing that our processes meet the highest professional standards and remain fully compliant with industry expectations.

To facilitate procurement and contractual clarity, we adopt standard forms of contract, including JCT and NEC, ensuring obligations, risks, and responsibilities are clearly outlined from the outset. For greater transparency, we also offer a customised cost reporting dashboard, providing clients with real-time access to key financial information and enabling faster, data-driven decision-making.

Whether you require a comprehensive cost consultancy service covering feasibility, design, procurement, and delivery, or targeted support on specific aspects of your project, our team adjusts our tools and processes to suit the project’s unique scale, complexity, and commercial aims. This flexibility ensures that every client benefits from structured, evidence-based cost control that supports both immediate outcomes and long-term value.

FAQ

      What's the difference between cost management and quantity surveying?
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      Cost management includes quantity surveying but also covers broader commercial strategy, procurement, forecasting, and risk mitigation.
    
      When should cost management begin on a project?
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      As early as possible — ideally at feasibility stage — to help guide design decisions within financial constraints.
    
      Can cost management reduce overall project costs?
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      Yes. Effective cost management helps identify savings, avoid overspend, and reduce rework through better planning.
    
      How often are cost reports updated during a project?
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      We typically provide monthly reports, but this can be adjusted based on the pace, size, and complexity of the project.
    
      Does DQS work with both clients and contractors?
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      Yes. We support private clients, developers, contractors, and public sector organisations across the full project lifecycle.

Discover more

We offer a comprehensive range of quantity surveying services, helping you push the boundaries of sustainability in construction.

Let’s Make Your Budget Work Harder

If you want to enhance cost control for your next project or need a partner who provides certainty under pressure, we’re ready to assist. Speak to DQS about strategic cost management tailored to your goals.