DAVID SLATER ASSOCIATES LIMITED

Executive Summary

David Slater Associates Limited operates as a financially stable micro-entity within the UK quantity surveying sector, showing steady growth in net assets and maintaining healthy liquidity. Positioned as a niche, locally-focused consultancy, it leverages personalized service amid evolving construction industry challenges such as cost pressures and digital adoption. While its small scale limits large contract competitiveness, its solid financial base and leadership involvement underpin a sustainable business model within its segment.

DAVID SLATER ASSOCIATES LIMITED - Analysis Report

Company Number: 12743983

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 18:48 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   David Slater Associates Limited operates within the quantity surveying activities sector, classified under SIC code 74902. This sector primarily involves cost consultancy, construction project cost management, contract administration, and related advisory services. It serves as a critical support function in the construction and real estate industries, focusing on cost control, procurement strategies, and value engineering. Typically, firms in this sector range from sole practitioners and micro-businesses to larger consultancies embedded within multi-disciplinary construction or engineering groups.

2. Relative Performance
   David Slater Associates Limited is registered as a micro-entity and clearly fits within the micro category in terms of size and reporting thresholds. The company employs an average of 2 persons, consistent with micro-business norms in professional services. Its net assets increased from approximately £16,755 in 2023 to £35,275 in 2024, indicating a strengthening financial position despite the modest scale. The current assets and liabilities profile suggests a healthy working capital position with net current assets of £37,178 in 2024, up from £27,971 in 2023. Compared to typical micro firms in quantity surveying, these figures suggest stable liquidity and a prudent balance sheet, although the scale remains small relative to industry leaders.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The quantity surveying sector is influenced by broader construction industry dynamics, including fluctuations in construction activity, regulatory changes around building standards, and the growing emphasis on sustainability and cost efficiency. Post-pandemic recovery and current economic conditions, including inflationary pressures on materials and labour, have heightened demand for expert cost management to control budgets. Digital transformation, such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) integration and advanced cost estimation software, is reshaping competitive advantages. As a micro firm, David Slater Associates Limited may face challenges adopting cutting-edge technologies but can benefit from providing personalized, flexible consultancy services to niche clients, particularly in local or regional markets like Harrogate.

4. Competitive Positioning
   David Slater Associates Limited presents as a niche player within the quantity surveying market. Its micro scale and private limited company status suggest a focus on localized or specialized client engagements rather than competing head-to-head with large national or multinational consultancies. Strengths include a solid financial footing with consistent equity growth and a lean operational structure. Directors’ advances indicate active reinvestment and commitment from leadership, which is typical for small professional service firms. However, the company’s small size may limit its capacity to scale rapidly or bid on large contracts requiring extensive resources or multi-disciplinary teams. Its competitive edge likely lies in personalized service, local market knowledge, and cost-effective consultancy rather than volume or breadth of service offerings.