Twenty years of experience, deployed selectively

Who I am

I'm Phil Brown — a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 20 years' experience in construction cost management, contract administration, and employer's agent work.

James Brown Projects is my independent QS practice. I work on projects that interest me — primarily in sustainable construction, where good cost advice and good environmental outcomes aren't in conflict. I've worked with developers, architects, and contractors across a wide range of project types, and I bring the same straightforward, commercially grounded approach to all of them.

I'm not trying to be everything to everyone. I'm a Fellow of the RICS with two decades of experience — and I'd rather do a few things well than a lot of things adequately.

Why independent?

Working independently means I'm accountable only to the client. No firm targets, no cross-selling, no pressure to recommend anything other than what makes sense for the project. The advice is straightforward because it has to be — my reputation is the practice, and the practice is me.

It also means I'm selective. I take on work that interests me, work I can genuinely add value to, and work that connects — wherever possible — to sustainable construction outcomes. That selectivity makes me a better consultant on the projects I do take.