Why Costra?
Every year thousands of construction businesses fail.
The Construction Industry Has a Problem
Every year thousands of construction businesses fail.
Projects are delivered late.
Budgets are exceeded.
Contractors become insolvent.
Relationships break down.
Investors lose confidence.
- Incomplete design information
- Unrealistic budgets
- Poor procurement decisions
- Inappropriate contractor selection
- Weak commercial controls
- Ineffective project leadership
- Failure to identify and manage risk early
What it often lacks is the experience, leadership and judgement needed to make the right decisions at the right time.
Costra Was Created To Challenge That
Most project failures are preventable.
Why Clients Appoint Costra
Clients do not appoint Costra because they need another consultant.
They appoint Costra because they need confidence.
Confidence that the budget is realistic.
Confidence that the programme is achievable.
Confidence that risks have been identified.
Confidence that the right team has been appointed.
Confidence that someone is protecting their interests throughout the process.
We act as an experienced construction partner focused on achieving successful project outcomes.
Why Early Decisions Matter
Many of the issues that emerge during construction can be traced back to decisions made long before work starts on site.
Incomplete designs.
Unclear Employer’s Requirements.
Unrealistic budgets.
Compressed programmes.
Poor procurement strategies.
Risks that have not been properly identified, understood or allocated.
When these issues are carried into construction, they inevitably lead to additional cost, programme delays, disputes and strained relationships as each party seeks to protect its own position.
The introduction of the Building Safety Act and Gateway process reflects a wider industry recognition that projects must be better planned, better coordinated and better understood before construction begins.
The principle is straightforward.
Designs should be sufficiently developed.
Risks should be identified and understood.
Responsibilities should be clearly defined.
Decisions should be supported by accurate and traceable information.
A robust Golden Thread of information should be maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
The principle is sound.
The challenge is delivering it in practice.
This Is Where Costra Adds Value
The challenge is not simply producing information.
This is where Costra adds value.
We focus on the points in a project where decisions are still reversible — before risk becomes embedded, costs are committed and the opportunity to influence outcomes is lost.
Our role is not to generate more reports. Our role is to help clients interpret information, understand the implications of key decisions and take action with confidence.
Risk can never be eliminated.
However, it can be identified, understood and managed.
The earlier this is done, the greater the opportunity to protect programme, control cost and deliver successful outcomes.
This is the difference between managing problems and preventing them.
Why Not Simply Appoint A Main Contractor?
A main contractor’s responsibility is to deliver the works they have been contracted to undertake.
Their objectives do not always align with the client’s objectives.
Contractors are frequently asked to tender against incomplete information, unresolved design issues and assumptions that have not been fully tested.
By the time these issues become apparent, contracts have been signed, programmes committed and budgets established.
The result is often change, delay, additional cost and dispute.
A contractor cannot independently advise whether the procurement strategy is correct.
A contractor cannot objectively challenge whether the project is commercially viable.
A contractor cannot act solely in the client’s interests.
Many of the most important decisions on a project are made before a contractor is appointed.
Costra helps clients make those decisions properly.
Why Not Use A Traditional PM Or QS?
Project Managers manage projects.
Quantity Surveyors measure and report costs.
Both provide valuable services.
However, many projects require broader construction leadership.
Projects rarely fail because a cost report was issued late.
Projects fail because risks were not recognised, challenged or addressed early enough.
Costra combines commercial, operational and delivery experience gained through more than three decades in the construction industry.
We understand how projects are conceived, procured, delivered and recovered when things begin to go wrong.
We bring together commercial awareness, construction expertise and strategic leadership to help clients make better decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
Who We Work With
- Developers
- Investors
- Asset Managers
- Landlords
- Occupiers
- Family Offices
- Lenders
- Contractors requiring specialist support
Our Objective
To help clients deliver construction projects with greater certainty, control and confidence.
Not by adding another layer of consultancy.
But by providing the experience, judgement and leadership needed to make the right decisions at the right time.
Costra. Construction Leadership. Commercial Control. Delivery Assurance.