Newsroom
17 February 2026
Who is Protecting Your Budget? Why Owners Need Independent Cost Consultants.
Capital project owners are operating in an environment defined by sustained cost volatility, constrained labor markets, financing pressure, and heightened delivery risk. Traditional project delivery structures—while effective—do not provide owners with independent financial oversight of the assumptions shaping project viability. Cost overruns are increasingly rooted in early-stage decisions rather than execution failures. Structural misalignment in traditional delivery models often obscures emerging risk, delaying visibility until corrective action is costly or no longer possible. Independent cost consultants play a critical role in protecting owner capital by providing objective, data-driven oversight at the point where assumptions are set and commitments are made. CCS International helps owners move cost risk upstream, transforming a reactive liability into a managed strategic advantage.
22 January 2026
The Hidden Costs That Blindside Capital Project Owners — And How to See Them
Capital project owners are facing a growing set of cost pressures often emerging too late to control: volatile labor markets, obscure supply-chain premiums, misaligned design assumptions, and schedule risks compounding quietly until they become unavoidable. These hidden drivers routinely erode contingencies, distort forecasts, and force difficult scope or funding decisions mid-project. The challenge is these risks are unknown; the issue is owners often lack early visibility to recognize and manage them. By improving front-end visibility, strengthening data inputs, and integrating commercial, design, and workforce intelligence early, owners can surface these pressures sooner and avoid surprises undermining budget, schedule, and strategic goals.
11 November 2025
Trust, Safety, and Stewardship: Our Commitment to CUI (NIST 800-171)
Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is government-created or government-owned information that isn’t classified but must be safeguarded and shared only on a need-to-know basis. In capital programs, that often includes: Detailed facility drawings and security layouts Budgetary and cost estimate data tied to critical infrastructure Procurement, vendor, equipment and contract records with proprietary details Project schedules, risk registers, and change documentation for essential services Protecting this information is now a compliance prerequisite for servicing federal, state, and local owners—and prime contractors who must flow CUI requirements down to subs require compliance with all prime contract requirements and obligations.
11 November 2025
The Power of Partnership: The Synergistic Relationship Between Client, Owner’s Representative, Architect, and Contractor in Capital Projects.
In the business of capital program development and delivery, success is rarely the product of technical expertise alone. Projects that meet or exceed their goals of quality, cost, and schedule are almost always the result of synergy - a dynamic and transparent relationship between the client, the owner's representative, the architect, and the contractor. When these entities function as aligned partners rather than separate participants, the outcome transcends a complete structure and becomes a shared achievement of innovation, efficiency, and trust.
13 October 2025
Unlocking Opportunity in City-Owned Land & Brownfields: A Guide for City Managers Seeking Smart, Confident Redevelopment Strategies
Many cities across the U.S. are sitting on underutilized or contaminated land that could be transformed into housing, community assets, new industrial or commercial workplaces, or sports and recreation facilities – all economic engines. But brownfields, legacy industrial sites present a range of challenges, from “attractive nuisance” and environmental risks to funding gaps to community trust. This one-pager highlights common barriers and introduces a solution to help city leaders take innovative and informed action.
21 March 2025
Press Release : Tenzing One LLC and CCS International, Inc. announce a partnership introducing ProjectSHERPA™.
ProjectSHERPA™ provides project owners utilizing Tenzing One's PMIS systems proprietary process for managing capital projects with CCS's extensive experience in Owner Representation and Cost Management. It is a first-of-its-kind service that allows owners to operate confidently, with a team of advisory experts ready to help whenever needed.
8 October 2024
The Essential Role of an Owner’s Representative in Successful Library Projects
Learn how CCS, with over 40 years of experience, supports libraries in managing complex construction and renovation projects. From effective budgeting to stakeholder engagement, discover how our tailored project management ensures the success of capital library projects while maintaining community impact and compliance with safety standards.
2 October 2024
Why CCS Has Attended the HCD Expo Since 2006
With nearly two decades of attendance, the HCD Expo remains a vital opportunity for CCS to affirm our commitment to enhancing the patient experience and delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare spaces. As we look ahead, our continued presence at HCD will ensure that CCS remains a leader in helping create environments that support patient and staff well-being.
19 July 2024
5 Reasons Why CCS is a Valued Member of The Society for College and University Planning
At CCS, campus planning transcends basic infrastructure. With a legacy spanning over 40 years, we have pioneered spaces that energize learning. We have helped 100’s of clients review and periodically re-review their overall Master Planning goals to ensure that their facilities and campuses stay current with today's and the anticipated needs of the future. Working with Owners and Design teams collectively, we are able to help pull together solid costs that can be used for future projects that arise and enable Colleges and Universities to better scale up or down the level of effort needed on each campus within whatever budget might be had to work with.
22 May 2024
The Emergence of Excellence: Illinois’ Cicadas and Capital Project Management
In the world of natural phenomena and project management, there exists an unusual yet compelling comparison: the predictable emergence of cicadas in Illinois and the lifecycle of capital projects. Every 17 years, swarms of cicadas surface from the earth, blanketing the landscape in a chorus of activity. This natural wonder, while initially seeming irrelevant to design and construction, actually provides valuable insights into the functions and importance of Owners' Representatives in capital project management.
2 May 2024
9 Operational Advantages of Hiring an Owner’s Representative
Dive into the crucial role of an owner's representative in steering construction projects away from financial mishaps, stakeholder mismanagement, and decision-making pitfalls. Discover how CCS International's multidisciplinary team uses their expertise and proprietary management technology to champion your project's interests, ensuring a smooth sail from inception to completion. An owners representative is the unsung hero of project success.
19 March 2024
CCS International Secures Contract as Owners Representative for Rockford Mass Transit District Facility Expansion
CCS International has been selected as the Owners Representative for an exciting new project for the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) in downtown Rockford, Illinois. The project involves significant expansion and renovation of an existing transit facility.
28 February 2024
Illinois Healthcare Cutting Complexity, Saving Time
Dive into the crucial role of an owner's representative in steering construction projects away from financial mishaps, stakeholder mismanagement, and decision-making pitfalls. Discover how CCS International's multidisciplinary team uses their expertise and proprietary management technology to champion your project's interests, ensuring a smooth sail from inception to completion. An owners representative is the unsung hero of project success.
19 February 2024
Owners Representatives: The Unsung Hero of Project Success
Dive into the crucial role of an owner's representative in steering construction projects away from financial mishaps, stakeholder mismanagement, and decision-making pitfalls. Discover how CCS International's multidisciplinary team uses their expertise and proprietary management technology to champion your project's interests, ensuring a smooth sail from inception to completion. An owners representative is the unsung hero of project success.
2 February 2024
The Importance of Hiring an Owner’s Representative for Your Construction Project
In today's ever-evolving landscape of construction projects, the complexity and scale of these undertakings can be baffling. As a capital project owner, you need expert guidance to navigate the intricate processes and ensure a successful outcome. Enter the owner's representative, a seasoned professional whose expertise and potential value-add to your project cannot be underestimated. Hiring an Owner's Representative is a crucial step in the journey toward effective project management..
17 December 2021
Congratulations on 40 years of service, Ian
Recently, Ian Parr, CCS’s President, received his 40 years of service pin from the American Society of Professional Estimators, ASPE.
29 November 2021
Clive Bransby at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo
CCS’ Vice President, Clive Bransby, will be attending the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo next week on December 6-8, 2021, in Austin, Texas, at the Austin Convention Center.
16 November 2021
CCS Celebrates L’Arche Chicago
L’Arche Chicago was started in 2000 by Sr. Maria Zeimen, who opened her home on the West Side of Chicago to two individuals with disabilities.
22 October 2021
SOME Soccer Team
CCS is delighted to be one of the sponsors for the Downers Grove Roadrunners Soccer Club this year.
10 September 2021
Employee Spotlight: Clive Bransby, VP
Clive started working at CCS in November of 1990! He first started as an independent consultant, and then in April of '21, he became a full-time employee.
23 July 2021
CCS is excited for the new UIC building
CCS is delighted to see another project we were involved in at UIC breaking ground: Their new Computer Design Research and Learning Center (CDRLC)
11 June 2021
CCS and Silva Brand working together
CCS International is very excited to be working with Silva Brand to align CCS’ brand to match our team’s track record and reputation.
11 June 2021
CCS at the Rockford Chamber Golf Classic 2021
On Monday, May 24th CCS proudly participated in the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing as a guest of Nick Schram from Curran Contracting Company
13 May 2021
SMPS Marketer featuring CCS International, Inc.
CCS International is very excited to be featured in the SMPS Marketer Must-Read e-book, Remote Work and People Management which is available at SMPS Bookstore
22 April 2021
Celebrating Antioch Public Library
CCS is excited to announce the firm was recently selected and awarded the owner representative role for the Antioch Public Library Addition and Remodeling Project in Antioch Illinois.
13 April 2021
Spring Has Finally Sprung and Confidence is Overcoming Uncertainty
Over the past year, during the pandemic, we have all faced reinventing ourselves, businesses, industries, and protocols. New focus has been given to imagination and process rather than just desired outcomes.
16 March 2021
A Job Well Done on your CCP Certification, Woody
CCS International, Inc. is proud to announce that Woody Sanner, a Senior Cost Manager in the firm’s East Coast office, is now a Certified Cost Professional through the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE).
1 March 2021
CCS planning for the future with SMPS
CCS is delighted to be working with Society Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) on the development and training of our CCS family.