Discover why Tier 1 contractors often fall behind at project close—and how to recover lost time and money without increasing costs.

Written By Kelley Monks

It’s a common scenario across the industry.

Most Tier 1 contractors have commercial teams in place. But, the reality is that these teams are often under-resourced, overstretched, or lacking the depth of knowledge & expertise required to manage the complexities of late-stage project delivery—particularly when it comes to variations and time-related matters.

For Project Directors and Project Managers overseeing major infrastructure or development projects, this becomes a critical issue.

At a certain point, things begin to slip:

  • Variations accumulate without resolution

  • Subcontractor claims become increasingly aggressive

  • Internal teams struggle to maintain momentum

  • Programme risks grow, and margin comes under threat

Left unchecked, these issues can lead to costly post-contract disputes, delays in project closure, and significant financial exposure.

This is where the team at Winterburn Consulting Surveyors step in.

We specialise in supporting Tier 1 contractors during the final stages of a project—when unresolved commercial matters threaten to impact time, cost, and reputation.

Our role is to provide clarity, control, and momentum. We help our clients:

  • Resolve outstanding variations at pace

  • Compile structured, defensible claims for time and money

  • Bring programmes back on track

  • Reduce commercial and contractual risk ahead of handover

Our value lies in the speed and precision we bring to each engagement. In nearly every case, our work is cost-neutral—or better—because of the savings and recoveries we help to unlock.

The question is: where are you right now?

If your team is falling behind commercially, or if there’s a growing backlog of unresolved matters, the sooner you act, the greater the control you regain.

Many of the UK’s top Tier 1 contractors (including those delivering for Network Rail, the Highways Agency, and major developers) now bring us in before things escalate—because they know what delay and indecision can cost.

We are not here to replace your commercial team. We work alongside them to deliver results quickly, without friction.

If you would like a confidential, no-obligation discussion to understand whether we can support your project, we’re happy to speak.

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Winterburn Consulting Surveyors – Specialists in variation resolution, time recovery, and commercial close-out for Tier 1 contractors.

Kelley Monks