Cost planning & cost control
Know what the project is likely to cost — and keep it visible.
A budget built from the scope, with sensible allowances and contingency, then tracked as decisions are made so cost never becomes a surprise at the end.
Independent
Consultancy on your side — not a builder
Over 35 years combined experience
Across James and Caroline’s careers
Both sides
Client-side and contractor-side support
Aldershot based
Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire
Free consultation
A 30-minute conversation to start
Who it is for
Is this the right support for you?
- Homeowners checking whether a project is affordable before committing
- Clients who have drawings but no reliable budget
- Property investors who need forecasts they can plan around
- Anyone whose live project cost is drifting
Problems it helps avoid
- Budgets based on rough rates rather than the actual scope
- Forgotten costs: fees, surveys, connections, finishes and VAT
- Provisional sums and allowances that are unrealistically low
- No contingency, or contingency spent without tracking
- Variations priced after the work is done
What you receive
Clear, practical deliverables.
James brings commercial delivery experience to budgeting and forecasting; Caroline supports where cost depends on quotations and supplier pricing.
- Initial or elemental estimate based on the scope
- Budget with allowances, contingency and excluded items listed
- Cost risk register highlighting the biggest unknowns
- Value engineering options where savings are genuinely available
- Change log and regular cost forecast during delivery
How we work
A proportionate, straightforward process.
01
Scope first
Confirm what is included so the budget reflects the real job.
02
Estimate
Build a budget with allowances, contingency and clear assumptions.
03
Test
Compare the budget against quotations and adjust where the market says otherwise.
04
Control
Track changes and forecast the final cost as the project progresses.
CJ Projects is an independent consultancy. We are not the building contractor, architect, solicitor or surveyor, and we do not provide legal advice.
Common questions
Can you guarantee the final cost?
No one can guarantee a final cost on building work. What we can do is make the budget realistic, show where the risks sit and keep cost visible as decisions are made.
How much contingency should I allow?
It depends on the type of work, how complete the design is and what is unknown — older buildings usually need more. Our contingency guide explains the factors in more detail.
Do you need full drawings?
No. We can estimate at an early stage, with the assumptions stated clearly. The estimate becomes firmer as design information develops.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Aldershot and work across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire, including Farnham, Farnborough, Fleet, Camberley, Guildford, Woking, Basingstoke and Godalming. For projects further afield, ask and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Related services
- Builder Quote ReviewThe cheapest quote is not always the lowest cost.
- Project & Construction ManagementWe manage the moving parts of your project — scope, programme, cost, information and people — so decisions are made on time and nothing important is left to chance.
- Contract & Commercial Management SupportPractical support with the paperwork that keeps a project on track: valuations, variations, change control, forecasts and records — for clients and contractors.
- Construction consultancy in AldershotHow we support clients locally across Hampshire and Surrey.
- Contact CJ ProjectsArrange an initial discussion about your project.
Free 30-minute project consultation
A straight conversation about your project, what it involves and where we could help. No obligation.