COMMERCIAL Project Management
Commercial project management that keeps cost, risk and delivery under one roof.
GLM has managed building projects for over 30 years, from commercial refurbishments and fit-outs to repairing, altering, and converting some of Scotland’s most important listed buildings. As a multidisciplinary practice of building surveyors, architects and project managers, we can bring the right team together under one roof, giving you clear advice and a consistent point of contact from the first idea through to completion.
Seven Hills Property, Erskine Stewart Melviville School, the Scottish Government, and more across Scotland and the north of England trust us, with offices in Edinburgh and Inverness.
Our Project Management Services
From cost plan to completed building – project management tailored to the procurement route that suits your project.
Construction Management
Construction Management is a particular way of procuring and delivering a project, with the works let through separate trade packages rather than one traditional main contract. For suitable projects, particularly estate and heritage work, this can offer greater flexibility, direct control and access to specialist trades. It also needs active management of programme, coordination, cost and site responsibilities, which GLM can provide on your behalf.
Cost Management & Cost Planning
We help you understand what your project is likely to cost from the outset and keep it under control as the design and work progress. Our service can include early budget estimates and cost plans, tender analysis, valuations, managing variations, cash-flow reporting and support through to the final account. On larger or more complex projects, we can also work alongside an independent quantity surveyor.
Project Monitoring
If you are funding, investing in, buying or leasing a building being developed by someone else, our Project Monitoring service gives you an independent view. We review the available contracts, design, programme and cost information, inspect progress and quality on site, and report on the issues that could affect the investment or a proposed payment.
Principal Designer (CDM)
Where appointed, we act as Principal Designer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, planning, managing and coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase. We work with the client and wider design team to identify foreseeable risks and make sure the necessary information is communicated as the project moves towards construction.
Turnkey Project Delivery
If you would rather have one team coordinate the process, we can assemble and manage the people needed to take your project from feasibility through design, consents, procurement, construction and handover. You retain clear oversight while GLM manages the detail, with the precise responsibilities and delivery arrangements agreed at the outset.
Our Process
A clear, four-step path from instruction to report – so you know exactly what to expect and how long it takes.
01. Brief
We start by listening. We meet you and, where relevant, visit the building to understand what you want to achieve, your budget, timescale and key concerns. We then recommend the right scope, team and route forward, with a clear fee proposal.
02. Plan
We develop the project strategy, responsibilities, programme, budget and procurement route. Where our appointment includes design, our architects and building surveyors develop the proposals with you and coordinate the necessary specialist input and statutory applications.
03. Deliver
We manage the tender and appointment process in line with the agreed procurement route. During construction, we coordinate the team and information, monitor cost, programme, quality and risk, and keep you informed as the work progresses.
04. Handover
At completion, we coordinate inspections, outstanding work and the handover information required under our appointment. We remain involved through the defects period and can help with occupation, future phases or ongoing maintenance.
Project Highlights
A selection of project and construction management commissions delivered for hospitality, heritage and institutional clients across Scotland.
Erskine Stewart Melville School
GLM carried out a full fabric assessment of all ESMS sites and provided the required maintenance and restoration.
The Residences at John O’Groats
GLM designed and constructed Natural Retreat’s 23 high-quality self-catering lodges at the John O’Groats development.
Marine Scotland Ellis Building
GLM helped the Scottish Government identify the cause of performance failure in a new laboratory in Aberdeen.
Meet Your Specialist
Ian McKee, FRICS FCABE
Executive Chairman · Chartered Building Surveyor · Edinburgh
Ian is a founding partner of GLM (established 1996) and was Chairman of RICS in Scotland in 2016. Over his career he has led building refurbishment, property management, condition survey and dilapidations work, with a particular specialism in the hotel and leisure sectors. That breadth informs how he manages commercial projects from brief to handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we’re most often asked by clients commissioning commercial project management services in Scotland.
Project Management covers the wider coordination of the client’s brief, design team, budget, programme, procurement and delivery. Construction Management is a particular procurement route in which the works are let through separate trade packages and actively coordinated by the construction manager rather than one traditional main contractor. We can explain the options and recommend the arrangement that best suits the project.
GLM acts as an independent consultant and does not take on the statutory role of Principal Contractor. We can act as Principal Designer where appointed, help you select and appoint a competent Principal Contractor, and monitor the work in accordance with our agreed role.
If we are appointed as construction manager, we can act as the Principal Contractor, this is however, a distinct procurement and project delivery route.
Yes. We can provide cost advice from the earliest budget estimate through to the final account. Depending on the project, this can include cost plans as the design develops, coordinating the tender process, comparing returns, valuations, variations, cash-flow reporting and post-contract cost control. The precise service is agreed to suit the project and procurement route, and on larger projects we can work alongside an independent quantity surveyor.
Project Monitoring is an independent check on a project being delivered by someone else. It is commonly used by funders, lenders, investors, landlords, purchasers and incoming tenants who need a clear view of progress, quality, cost, programme and risk. We review the available information, visit the site at agreed stages and report on matters that could affect the investment or a proposed payment.
Yes, and that is often where we add most value. Early involvement allows us to help you understand the building, test what is possible, establish a realistic budget and plan the right route forward before you commit to construction. We can then coordinate design, approvals, procurement, construction and handover, with the precise scope and responsibilities agreed for your project.
Discuss your Project today.
Speak to our project management team about a construction management appointment, cost plan, project monitoring instruction or full project delivery – from any of our Scottish offices.
