The Commercial Control Method™
Know your margin.
Control your cash.
Build with confidence.
A practical commercial management system for growing contractors and subcontractors who have outgrown spreadsheets and informal processes—but aren’t ready for a full commercial department.
In 8–12 weeks, put the commercial controls in place to know where every live job stands, what it is expected to make, what you’re owed, what cash you need and what needs action.
Professional standards
We pledge 1% of our annual turnover to the Lighthouse Charity. Helping support the people and families behind the construction industry.
The problem
Your business has grown faster than your commercial controls.
Too big to run the commercial side on spreadsheets and instinct. Too small to justify a full commercial department.
- You know turnover, but not always what every live job is expected to make.
- Variations aren’t consistently captured and recovered.
- Cash requirements catch you by surprise.
- Information lives across spreadsheets, systems and people’s heads.
The transformation
From commercial firefighting to commercial control.
The Commercial Control Method™ gives you a practical way to see what’s happening commercially across your projects—and act before problems become expensive.
“I think we're making money.”
“I know what every job is expected to make, what's changed, what we're owed, what cash we need and what we're doing about it.”
The CONTROL framework
One practical method. Seven areas of commercial control.
The Commercial Control Method™ brings the commercial fundamentals of your business into one repeatable system.
Commercial Baseline
Know where every job stands.
Ongoing Profitability
Know what every job is expected to make.
Notices & Variations
Capture and pursue commercial change.
Treasury & Cash
See cash requirements earlier.
Review Rhythm
Turn information into action.
Ownership
Make commercial responsibilities clear.
Learn & Improve
Use completed projects to improve future work.
8–12 week outcome
What changes in 8–12 weeks?
This isn’t 12 weeks of consultancy followed by a report that sits in a drawer. We implement a functioning commercial management system into your business.
This is what commercial control should feel like.
Your accounts tell you what has happened. Forecast Final Margin tells you where the job is heading.
One view. Every live job. Current margin. Outstanding variations. Cash status. What needs action.
You do your part. We won’t leave you behind. Every implementation is backed by CONTROL Implementation Assurance™. See how it works.
Commercial Review
1Portfolio position
- Forecast margin
- £52k
- Variations outstanding
- £54k
- Projects at risk
- 1 of 3
2Project positions
| Project | Forecast revenue | Forecast cost | Forecast margin £ | Forecast margin % | Margin movement | Outstanding variations | Cash status | Risk | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project A | £202k | £169k | £33k | 16.3% | −1.7 pp | £14k | Good | Green | Agree outstanding variation |
| Project B | £322k | £301k | £21k | 6.5% | −2.5 pp | £31k | Watch | Amber | Confirm supplier commitments |
| Project C | £129k | £131k | −£2k | −1.6% | −4.6 pp | £9k | Watch | Red | Review remaining costs |
3Needs action now
Project C forecast margin is below zero. Review remaining costs and pursue outstanding variations.
Implementation
One Method. Two levels of implementation support.
Choose the level of support that suits your business.
Guided Implementation
Your team implements it with our guidance.
We’ll provide the system, tools, training, implementation workshops and Chartered QS expertise.
Your team does more of the implementation, with us alongside you.
Businesses with the internal capacity to implement the Method but needing the structure, expertise and accountability to get it done properly.
Bespoke Implementation
Our Chartered QS team leads the implementation with your team.
We’ll work directly with your live projects, numbers, existing processes and people to establish the controls and get the system operating.
Businesses that want experienced commercial professionals to take a much more hands-on role in implementation.
Same Method. Same destination. Different level of support.
Not sure which route fits?
The expertise behind the Method
Built on real commercial experience.
Sam Boyd MRICS created the Method to help growing contractors gain clearer control of margin, variations and cash. Our team brings experience from contractor-side commercial management through to major international developments.
Experience behind the Method
Commercial expertise you can trust
Jake and his team bring a practical and detailed approach to ensuring that the correct systems, structure and process are applied to driving value and predictability into the procurement and construction process.
Mark Stokes
Chairman, Founder of Sustainomics Capital
Jake’s commercial acumen and ability were recognised by the team… I would have no hesitation in recommending Jake to commercially lead your project.
Steven Batchelor FRICS
Managing Director
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jake Suthers on multiple projects, and he’s proven to be an outstanding Chartered Quantity Surveyor. His expertise in cost management, contract administration, and procurement ensures projects are delivered efficiently and within budget.
Jonathan Baron BEng(Hons) MCIBSE MIET
Technical Associate, Kingswood BSE
Jake is proactive, takes charge of the scope he and his team must deliver, and always brings a collaborative approach to work with us as clients and our experts. Attention to detail, transparency about the process, fees and costs and delivering the outcome on time and within budget.
Tamas Rigo
Co-founder and Director, Recast Property
I worked with Martin on several prestigious projects in Las Vegas whilst Martin was managing the Las Vegas office for Rider Levett Bucknall. It was a pleasure to work on his team; he was always organised and has a thorough understanding of the construction process and the client’s requirements.
Roy B.
Estimating & Project Services Professional
I worked alongside Martin at Helyar & Associates for four years. I found him to be an extremely hard-working, knowledgeable QS and, as importantly, he was good fun to work with!
Jon Ashman MRICS
Commercial Manager, Equans Data Centers
Start here
How commercially controlled is your business?
Commercial Control Scorecard™
Identify where margin, cash and commercial control may be at risk. Get your score, priority actions and recommended next step.
Commercial Control Masterclass™
Know what every job is expected to make—and spot the commercial problems threatening margin and cash before it’s too late to act.