Commercial & Quantity Surveying Consultancy for Specialist Contractors

Janie Cottam, Founding Managing Director of QTY Surveying

I’m Janie Cottam, Founding Managing Director of QTY Surveyors.

After more than 20 years in construction, I launched QTY with a clear purpose: to provide commercial support that works in the real world — practical, commercially sharp and built around how construction businesses actually operate.

QTY supports clients across the construction supply chain, from specialist contractors and main contractors to clients, designers and project teams. Whether we are assisting with estimating, quantity surveying, commercial management, final accounts, process improvement or strategic consultancy, our focus is always the same: helping businesses gain clarity, protect margin and make better commercial decisions.

We also place a strong emphasis on using modern technology, construction software and AI-led tools to make traditional commercial tasks more efficient, accurate and accessible. For us, technology is not about replacing commercial expertise — it is about strengthening it, improving workflows and giving teams better information when it matters most.

Because good commercial management is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about understanding risk, controlling cost, improving process, getting paid properly and keeping projects moving.

Over the past year, QTY has grown by supporting businesses that want more than transactional QS support. They want clear advice, practical solutions and a commercial partner who understands both the detail and the bigger picture.

To find out more about our journey, recent work and where QTY is heading next, take a look at our blog.

Find out more about QTY

Led by Janie Cottam, QTY brings over 20 years of construction commercial experience together with modern technology, practical systems and straight-talking advice.

Margin's aren't protected by luck, they're protected by us

Our Services

A robotic hand holding a tablet displaying a futuristic city skyline with construction cranes in the background.

Estimate, Plan & Deliver Using Your Own Chalkstring System.
QTY is one of the UK’s most experienced consultancy partners for Chalkstring. We not only implement the software for specialist subcontractors, we actively use it every day to build estimates, manage live projects, and support commercial teams.
Whether you’re new to Chalkstring or already up and running, we can become an extension of your team, delivering work directly inside your Chalkstring environment, ensuring full visibility, consistency and accuracy across your tenders and projects.
How we support Chalkstring customers:
- Full estimating support delivered directly in your Chalkstring workspace
- Project setup, handover and on-site commercial administration
- Building and maintaining your libraries, templates and Wallbooks
- Workflow optimisation to help you get the most from the software
- Short-term capacity support or long-term commercial partnership
If you want to unlock the full power of your Chalkstring licence without increasing headcount, QTY can provide the commercial expertise, consistency and speed needed to get ahead.
Transforming How Your Business Operates, From Tender to Final Account
QTY specialises in helping subcontractors overhaul and streamline their commercial workflows. Many businesses grow quickly — but their processes don’t always keep up. We step in to map, stress-test, and rebuild workflows that support scalable, efficient and profitable delivery.
We work closely with your team to understand how things happen today, identify bottlenecks, and develop clear, robust SOPs that everyone can follow. The outcome is a more consistent, collaborative, and commercially secure way of working.
Our workflow consultancy includes:
- End-to-end commercial process mapping (Estimating → Delivery → Accounts)
- Creation of Standard Operating Procedures tailored to your business
- Identifying inefficiencies, risks and opportunities for improvement
- Embedding structure to support growth and improve profitability
- Staff training & rollout support
If your commercial processes feel disjointed, unclear or overly person-dependent, we help you build a stronger, scalable foundation for the future.
Strategy, Positioning & Pipeline Growth for Specialist Subcontractors
The right clients and the right projects are key to sustainable growth. QTY works with subcontractors to build practical, actionable Business Development Strategies that align commercial goals with real market opportunities.
We help you understand your positioning, strengthen your market presence, target the right contractors, and develop a BD workflow that produces consistent, high-quality opportunities.
Our BD consultancy services include:
- Ideal client and ideal project profiling
- Market and competitor analysis
- BD strategy creation and workshop facilitation
- Pipeline development and opportunity qualification
- Client engagement frameworks and outreach messaging
- BD dashboards, KPIs and implementation plans
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing approach, we provide the structure, strategy and tools needed to grow confidently in the right direction.
Protecting Your Position & Securing What You’re Entitled To.
Commercial disputes in construction are common — but costly when not managed strategically. QTY supports subcontractors with expert dispute resolution and contract administration services, helping you stay compliant, recover entitlements, and protect cashflow.
We act as your commercial partner, guiding you through contractual obligations and helping you manage issues before they escalate.
Our services include:
- Preparation and review of notices, EOTs and loss & expense submissions
- Contract and subcontract reviews, risk analysis and advice
- Support with final accounts, variations, re-measures and valuations
- Claims preparation and commercial strategy
- Liaison with main contractors, consultants and legal teams
- Early-stage issue identification and mitigation
Whether it's day-to-day administration or navigating complex disputes, QTY brings clarity, confidence and commercial strength to your project delivery.