Business Advisory Services Brisbane for Construction Businesses

Work directly with Rachelle Hare, Construction Lawyer, Commercial Manager and Business Adviser, and Shannon Drew, Management Accountant, Virtual CFO and Business Adviser. Working together, their advice connects:

• business strategy

• financial management

• operations

• commercial business issues

• governance

• procurement

• business legals

• compliance

• risks

Their combined experience allows them to examine how contractual commitments, project profitability, financial leadership, cash flow and management capacity affect the same business decision.

Discuss your business priorities by booking a 60-minute no-obligation Strategy Session 

Prefer to talk first? Call (07) 3063 3373 for a free initial chat with Rachelle Hare.

Business Advisory and consulting services

Business strategy, planning and growth

Blaze Business & Legal assists with business planning and execution, business strategy and business growth strategies. Advisers work with owners to set business goals, prepare for business sales and valuations, assess market opportunities and competitive advantage, and determine whether the business has the resources to pursue organic growth or growth through acquisition.

Engagements can include market research, advice on investor and partner options, customer needs, commercialisation planning, innovation, capacity planning and business proposal reviews. An opportunity and risk matrix can help owners assess options before committing funds or management resources. Where necessary, advisers also identify the changes required to build the business’s management and operational capability.

Financial management and Virtual CFO

Shannon Drew provides strategic financial management, cash flow management and Virtual CFO services for construction businesses. His work includes budgeting, financial forecasting, advising on business funding options, preparing monthly management accounts, management reporting and financial oversight.

Cash flow planning and cash flow improvement advisory services can involve reviewing payment cycles, working capital, project costs and the timing of major commitments as well as liaising with mortgage brokers for funding support. Shannon also undertakes scenario planning and analyses pricing, margins, overheads and revenue to identify opportunities for profit improvement. Businesses requiring continuing support can engage him for external CFO advisory services and Virtual CFO solutions.

Management consulting and business improvement

Blaze Business & Legal provides management consulting, transformational improvement programs and business improvement services to construction businesses that need to improve performance, management systems or operational efficiency as well as deal with operational issues.

Engagements can include reviewing management responsibilities, human resources arrangements, project management, process optimisation, building institutional capability, disciplined execution of business transformation and improvement projects and accountability. Advisers also assist with change management and the coordination of owners, managers and staff when implementing new systems or processes. Where relevant, this work can support a commercialisation plan or a wider business performance improvement program.

Business structuring, succession and exit planning

Blaze Business & Legal provides business structure advice and structure reviews for construction businesses considering growth, corporate restructuring or changes in ownership. Rachelle Hare assists with business structuring, entity establishment, asset protection objectives and the commercial and legal arrangements involved in bringing on investors.

Succession Planning and business exit planning can include preparing for ownership transfers, business sales and discussions with potential buyers. Where a valuation is required, Blaze Business & Legal can coordinate the appropriate specialist input and help owners identify changes that may improve the value of their business before a sale.

Business funding and strategic business financial planning

Blaze Business & Legal assists construction businesses with strategic business financial planning, assessing business funding requirements and help preparing funding-ready financials working closely with your Accountant. Advisers review cash flow forecasts, borrowing requirements and funding options for growth, equipment purchases, acquisitions and major commercial commitments.

The work can include preparing funding-ready financial information, assessing investor and business partner options, and identifying the information banks and lenders require when taking out business loans or buying equipment. Where relevant, our Business Advisers can help owners investigate access to finance and grants and coordinate with finance brokers or other specialists. Regulated financial product advice remains with appropriately licensed financial advisers.

Commercial advice

Blaze Business & Legal provides Commercial Advice to construction business owners and decision-makers on contracts, procurement, commercial risk, governance and significant business decisions. Rachelle Hare draws on her experience as a Construction Lawyer and Commercial Manager to assess contractual commitments, payment arrangements, project profitability and commercial opportunities. Our advice helps owners understand the financial and operational consequences of their decisions, negotiate commercially workable arrangements and protect the profitability of their business.

Governance, compliance and risk management

Governance, business risk, risk management, financial controls, advisory board arrangements, key performance indicators (KPIs), commercial leases and contract risk as well as advising on intellectual property requirements. Compliance with Corporations Act 2001 laws, Directors’ Duties and the duty of care. Compliance with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) requirements and assistance implementing full ESG reporting.

Blaze Business & Legal reviews responsibilities, reporting, delegated authority and commercial arrangements to support better oversight and strategic decisions.

Business coaching, business skills and implementation

Blaze Business & Legal provides practical advice and implementation assistance rather than a general motivational business coaching service. Our engagements can include business skills development, preparation of an opportunity/risk matrix, support accessing finance & grants, structured problem solving, getting value for money from your suppliers, marketing, SEO and business development assistance, providing objective feedback, hiring strategies, optimising resources, building a safe, equitable workplace, assistance in dealing with RTOs and educational institutions, a business scorecard, an advice brief or a business insights workshop.

Where relevant, advisers consider marketing and sales strategies, customer needs, operational systems and the resources required to deliver an agreed plan. Business owners can engage Blaze Business & Legal for a defined project or continuing support.

Construction Business Advisory case study examples

Civil contractor: Improving cash flow and project profitability

The challenge

A Brisbane civil contractor with annual revenue of $18.5 million had increased turnover but was experiencing cash flow pressure. The business had a strong pipeline of work, yet several projects were delivering lower margins than expected. The owners relied on financial reports that did not adequately identify cost overruns or forecast future cash requirements.

What Blaze Business & Legal did

Rachelle Hare and Shannon Drew reviewed the contractor’s financial performance, project margins, work in progress, cash flow forecasts and commercial commitments.

Shannon examined project cost reporting, overhead recovery, debtor collections and the contractor’s working capital requirements. Rachelle reviewed payment terms, procurement commitments and the commercial risks associated with accepting additional work.

They developed an improvement plan that introduced monthly project cost-to-complete reporting, a 13-week cash flow forecast and clearer tender approval requirements. Management also reviewed project pricing and introduced earlier reporting of forecast cost overruns.

The results

Over the following 12 months, the contractor achieved:

• Project gross margins increased from 12.8% to 16.2%, representing an additional $629,000 in gross profit on $18.5 million of revenue, assuming the same revenue base.

• Average debtor collection time fell from 58 to 43 days, improving the timing of customer receipts.

• Average debtor balances fell by approximately $760,000, based on the reduction in collection days and annual revenue.

• All 14 active projects were included in monthly cost-to-complete reporting, giving management earlier visibility of forecast losses and margin changes.

The owners used the improved reporting to assess new tenders, identify projects requiring attention and plan their cash requirements before taking on additional commitments.

Specialist subcontractor: Preparing for larger construction contracts

The challenge

A specialist mechanical services subcontractor with annual revenue of $7.8 million wanted to pursue larger commercial and infrastructure projects. Its existing contracts typically ranged from $250,000 to $750,000.

The owners had identified opportunities to tender for packages exceeding $1.5 million but were concerned about working capital, contractual exposure and whether their existing management team could deliver larger projects.

What Blaze Business & Legal did

Rachelle and Shannon reviewed the subcontractor’s business structure, management responsibilities, tendering procedures, project profitability and financial forecasts.

Rachelle assessed the commercial risks associated with larger head-contractor packages, including payment terms, security, variations, delay provisions and contractual liability. Shannon modelled the cash requirements of larger projects and reviewed pricing assumptions, overhead recovery and available working capital.

They developed a staged growth plan that introduced formal tender approval requirements, financial forecasts for larger projects, contract review procedures and clearer management responsibilities.

The subcontractor also revised its project reporting and introduced monthly reviews of forecast margins, variations and cash requirements.

The results

Over the following 18 months, the subcontractor achieved:

• Average contract value increased from $520,000 to $1.15 million, allowing the business to pursue larger packages.

• Project gross margins increased from 15.5% to 18.1% across completed projects during the review period.

• Available working capital increased by $450,000, following changes to cash management and funding arrangements.

• Every new contract above $500,000 underwent a formal commercial and financial review before acceptance.

• The business secured 4 larger projects worth $6.4 million in total, while maintaining its revised tender approval and financial reporting procedures.

The owners had a clearer basis for deciding which projects to pursue, how much working capital each project required and whether the business had the resources to deliver the work.

Client Testimonial

Financial management and profitability

“We needed a better understanding of our project margins, cash flow and the financial performance of the business. Shannon helped us examine the numbers, identify where our management reporting needed improvement, work out what financial issues management should focus on next, and revise our prices so they actually made sense with our overheads. We now have better information for making decisions about pricing, project performance and future work.” Richard B., CEO, RTO and Equipment Hire, Sunshine Coast

Commercial advice and business strategy

“We engaged Rachelle to help us assess a significant business decision. Her experience across construction contracts, commercial management and business advisory meant she understood the wider consequences for our business. She helped us assess the options, identify the risks and decide what needed to happen before we proceeded.” Jake W., Managing Director, Civil Contractor, South Brisbane

How to engage Blaze Business & Legal

A 60-minute initial consultation through a Strategy Session costs $650 + GST with Rachelle Hare or Shannon Drew, or $750 + GST with both.

Further engagements are agreed according to the scope of the arrangement. Options include a fixed fee, hourly rate or fixed monthly fee for ongoing advisory support. Access arrangements and deliverables are confirmed before work begins.

Blaze Business & Legal agrees the scope around the business issue, the information available and the decisions the owners and leadership team need to make. Engagements may cover one issue or several connected areas of the business.

Why choose Blaze Business & Legal?

Proactive advice across every stage of business

Rachelle Hare and Shannon Drew bring more than 50 years of combined experience in construction, commercial management, financial management and Business Advisory.

Rachelle is a Construction and Commercial Lawyer with extensive Commercial Management experience. Shannon is a Management Accountant, Virtual CFO and Business Adviser. Each of them have top business adviser credentials, and when combined, their ability to support their clients increases tenfold.

In terms of qualifications, registrations or certifications, Rachelle is bound by professional standards legislation, and she is listed on the Queensland Law Society’s professional registers. Both Rachelle and Shannon have university degrees, in Law and Management Accounting respectively, which sets them apart from many business coaches.

Blaze Business & Legal works alongside existing accountants, lawyers, mortgage brokers, insurance brokers and other advisers where specialist input or relevant certification and accreditation is required. Construction business owners from start-up to established business receive advice grounded in skills including project delivery, financial performance and commercial decision-making.

Blaze Business & Legal can coordinate input from accountants, tax advisers, lawyers and other professionals, consolidate their recommendations and help owners implement agreed actions. This is particularly useful where a business decision requires commercial, financial, legal and operational advice.

With skilled advice provided across your business life cycle, we advise, make recommendations and help you implement decisions and maximise the value of your business in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia. We also develop bespoke analytical tools or use our own tools to help you in your business operations and management.

Business Advisory Services we don’t provide

Business bookkeeper

Export Advisers (we unfortunately don’t provide import or export advice)

Innovation Advisers

Franchise advice

Tax Accounting Services and Cloud Accounting

Certified Practising Accountant

Wealth management services

Agile ways of working

Financial Services and Financial Advice – we do not hold Australian Financial Services Licences or provide any Financial Services Guide.

Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards

Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS)

FAQs About Business Advisory Services

What does a Business Adviser do?

Business Advisers provide an external perspective on financial performance, management, business strategy and commercial decisions. Their work may include financial analyses, business planning, business incubators or accelerators, risk assessment, advising on how to keep confidential information and implementation support.

How does Business Advisory differ from business coaching?

Business coaching generally concentrates on leadership, business skills and accountability. Blaze Business & Legal provides commercial, financial and management advice, supported by analysis and agreed implementation work.

Can Business Advisory improve cash flow and profitability?

Advisers can examine financial drivers, pricing, costs, overheads, management reporting and working capital requirements to identify commercially workable improvements.

Can Blaze Business & Legal help with business growth and succession?

Blaze Business & Legal advises on business growth strategies, ownership arrangements, management capacity, Succession Planning and exit preparation, including the commercial steps involved in preparing a business for sale.

What does ongoing Business Advisory cost?

Fees depend on the services and agreed scope, with unlimited access to your advisor being the more expensive package. Blaze Business & Legal offers defined advisory projects and ongoing Virtual CFO or Commercial Management arrangements, with pricing agreed before commencement.

Get Business Advisory Support in Brisbane

Blaze Business & Legal helps construction business owners make informed commercial decisions, improve profitability and plan for the next stage of their business.

Book a Strategy Session or call (07) 3063 3373.