Cost Control Services

UM Planners (UMP) provides construction cost control and cost management services to help owners, contractors, and construction managers plan budgets, monitor expenditures, forecast final costs, and manage financial risks. We connect project budgets, actual costs, commitments, progress, and schedule information to give project teams a clear view of financial performance throughout construction.

Our services support aviation, airport capital improvement programs, infrastructure, public works, commercial construction, and capital projects. From establishing the original cost baseline to reviewing change orders and preparing cost-to-complete forecasts, we help clients identify potential overruns early and make informed decisions.

Our Construction Cost Control Services

Construction costs are closely connected to project timing, sequencing, and resource requirements. UMP combines cost control, CPM scheduling, progress measurement, risk analysis, and project reporting to help clients understand these relationships. Our integrated project controls approach supports more informed decisions about budget changes, schedule recovery, procurement, and remaining project work.

Whether you need to establish a construction budget, improve monthly cost reporting, evaluate change order exposure, or forecast the final cost of a capital project, UMP can help. Contact UM Planners to discuss construction cost control, budget management, cost forecasting, and project controls services for your next project.

Construction Budget Development and Cost Baseline Establishment

We help establish a structured construction project budget that reflects the approved scope, delivery strategy, schedule, and available estimates. Depending on the assignment, the budget may include construction contracts, design and consultant fees, owner costs, equipment, allowances, contingency, and escalation. The approved cost baseline provides a consistent reference for tracking budget changes and measuring financial performance.

Cost Breakdown Structure and Cost Coding

We develop or review the cost breakdown structure (CBS) and project cost codes to organize financial information by work package, contract, discipline, location, or project phase. Where practical, we align cost codes with the work breakdown structure (WBS) and construction schedule. This helps teams compare budgets, commitments, actual costs, and forecasts consistently across reporting periods.

Budget Tracking and Expenditure Monitoring

We monitor approved budgets, budget transfers, expenditures, and remaining balances to show how project funds are being used. Our construction budget tracking identifies cost categories approaching their limits and distinguishes recorded spending from future financial exposure. Regular reviews help project teams address emerging issues before they become larger budget overruns.

Commitment Tracking and Contract Cost Management

We track financial commitments associated with construction contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, professional services agreements, and approved contract modifications. Commitment reporting shows the original contract value, approved changes, revised value, invoiced amounts, and remaining commitments. This provides visibility into funds already obligated but not yet paid.

Actual Cost Tracking and Accrual Review

We review actual project costs and help identify work performed or services received that have not yet been reflected in financial reports. Including appropriate accruals improves the accuracy of monthly cost reporting and reduces the risk of understating current project costs. We coordinate with project and accounting teams to reconcile timing differences and clarify incomplete cost records.

Cost Forecasting and Estimate at Completion

We prepare and update estimate at completion (EAC) forecasts using actual costs, remaining commitments, expected changes, project progress, and identified risks. Forecasts show the anticipated final project cost and how it compares with the current approved budget. We document key assumptions so stakeholders can understand what is driving the forecast and where uncertainty remains.

Estimate to Complete and Remaining Cost Analysis

We assess the estimate to complete (ETC) by evaluating the scope, resources, commitments, and expected costs required to finish the remaining work. Our review considers outstanding procurement, incomplete construction activities, testing, commissioning, and closeout requirements. This helps project teams assess whether remaining funds are sufficient to complete the project.

Cost Variance Analysis and Budget Overrun Assessment

We analyze differences between approved budgets, actual expenditures, commitments, and forecast final costs. Our cost variance analysis identifies the work packages and events contributing to financial changes, including scope growth, quantity changes, procurement issues, schedule delays, and productivity challenges. We explain the drivers and outline actions that may reduce further cost exposure.

Cash Flow Forecasting and Expenditure Planning

We develop construction cash flow forecasts that reflect planned work, procurement milestones, payment terms, and anticipated contract expenditures. By connecting expected spending to the project schedule, we help clients plan funding requirements and understand when major payments are likely to occur. Forecasts can be updated as schedules, contract values, and payment expectations change.

Earned Value Management and Performance Measurement

Where suitable cost and progress data are available, we use earned value management (EVM) to assess performance against the approved plan. Reporting may include planned value, earned value, actual cost, cost variance, schedule variance, the cost performance index (CPI), and the schedule performance index (SPI). We interpret these measures alongside field progress and critical path information to provide a practical view of project performance.

Change Order Cost Analysis and Change Control

We review the financial effects of proposed and approved change orders, design revisions, additional work, and scope adjustments. Our change order analysis may examine quantities, labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor quotations, markups, and associated schedule effects. We maintain visibility into pending changes so that unresolved items are considered in forecasts before final agreement.

Potential Change and Cost Exposure Tracking

We maintain logs of potential change orders, field directives, unresolved issues, and other events that may affect project costs. Each item can be tracked by description, status, estimated value, responsible party, and anticipated decision date. This helps distinguish approved budget changes from pending exposure and supports more complete financial reporting.

Cost Risk Assessment and Scenario Analysis

We evaluate financial risks associated with uncertain quantities, procurement delays, market escalation, site conditions, schedule changes, and unresolved scope. Scenario analysis shows how different assumptions could affect the final project cost and funding requirements. Where appropriate, we support quantitative cost risk analysis to assess a range of potential outcomes.

Procurement and Material Cost Tracking

We monitor the financial status of major material purchases, equipment packages, purchase orders, and long-lead procurement items. Our reporting considers approved values, pending changes, delivery timing, and potential cost exposure. Connecting procurement information with the schedule helps teams understand how purchasing decisions may affect both cash flow and project completion.

Schedule-Related Cost Impact Analysis

We evaluate how project delays, resequencing, acceleration, and extended construction duration may affect costs. The analysis may include additional supervision, field overhead, equipment rentals, temporary facilities, and other documented time-related expenses. Integrating schedule and cost information helps teams understand the financial consequences of project changes.

Value Engineering and Cost Optimization Support

We support the evaluation of alternative materials, construction methods, procurement approaches, and phasing strategies to identify potential cost savings. Our review considers effects on scope, quality, schedule, operations, and future maintenance where relevant. This helps stakeholders assess whether a proposed saving provides overall project value.

Our Locations

Cost Control Services

Service Inquiry

Our Construction Cost Control Services

Construction Budget Development and Cost Baseline Establishment

Cost Breakdown Structure and Cost Coding

Budget Tracking and Expenditure Monitoring

Commitment Tracking and Contract Cost Management

Actual Cost Tracking and Accrual Review

Cost Forecasting and Estimate at Completion

Estimate to Complete and Remaining Cost Analysis

Cost Variance Analysis and Budget Overrun Assessment

Cash Flow Forecasting and Expenditure Planning

Earned Value Management and Performance Measurement

Change Order Cost Analysis and Change Control

Potential Change and Cost Exposure Tracking

Contingency Management and Allowance Tracking

Cost Risk Assessment and Scenario Analysis

Procurement and Material Cost Tracking

Schedule-Related Cost Impact Analysis

Value Engineering and Cost Optimization Support

Cost Control Services

Service Inquiry

Our Construction Cost Control Services

Construction Budget Development and Cost Baseline Establishment

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Cost Breakdown Structure and Cost Coding

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