CBA was established in Edinburgh in 1970. Further offices were opened in Glasgow and London in 1972 and 1980 respectively.

Accurate early cost advice goes a long way to obviating the problems and delays which so often bedevil construction projects and end up taking them over budget.

But to cost accurately, we must first understand the precise nature of a project. This means being able not only to interpret the client's brief correctly, but also to apply our broader ability to assess and forecast market requirements and conditions. What sort of shopping malls are being built today, for example, and why?

We must be able to read between the lines - in this case, a set of architects plans and elevations. What are their implications for costs and construction feasibility?

And we must also understand our fellow professionals - the architects, the structural engineers and service engineers, the chartered surveyors and all the others who may be involved. We have to see their functions clearly, and be sympathetic to their objectives, if our costings are to be a true reflection of the project as a whole.