Cost-to-Complete Review
Recomputes cost-to-complete from current actuals plus remaining scope plus overlay-derived escalation and contingency. Compares against prior CTC and the underwriting baseline. Identifies the driver (labor, material, scope, duration) and recommends remediation (re-estimate, scope trim, re-bid, contingency pull).
Best use case
Cost-to-Complete Review is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Recomputes cost-to-complete from current actuals plus remaining scope plus overlay-derived escalation and contingency. Compares against prior CTC and the underwriting baseline. Identifies the driver (labor, material, scope, duration) and recommends remediation (re-estimate, scope trim, re-bid, contingency pull).
Teams using Cost-to-Complete Review should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/cost_to_complete_review/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How Cost-to-Complete Review Compares
| Feature / Agent | Cost-to-Complete Review | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Recomputes cost-to-complete from current actuals plus remaining scope plus overlay-derived escalation and contingency. Compares against prior CTC and the underwriting baseline. Identifies the driver (labor, material, scope, duration) and recommends remediation (re-estimate, scope trim, re-bid, contingency pull).
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Cost-to-Complete Review
## Workflow purpose
Build an accurate, transparent cost-to-complete at any point in the project. Trigger remediation when CTC deviates from plan.
## Trigger conditions
- **Explicit:** "run CTC", "cost-to-complete refresh", "pressure-test the remaining budget".
- **Implicit:** `workflows/draw_package_review` finds CTC drift; `workflows/change_order_review` produces material cost delta; milestone slippage from schedule.
- **Recurring:** monthly per active project; re-run when a CO is reviewed.
## Inputs (required / optional)
| Input | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-to-date | record | required | from draw or GL |
| Approved COs | table | required | |
| Pending COs | table | required | scenario view |
| Remaining scope | table | required | assemblies, percent complete |
| Schedule update | record | required | for duration-based escalation |
| Prior CTC | record | required | for delta |
| Estimator baseline | estimate | required | |
## Outputs
| Output | Type | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| CTC refresh | `kpi_review` | per trade, per project |
| Driver decomposition | table | labor / material / scope / duration |
| Contingency posture | `kpi_review` | remaining vs. plan |
| Scenario set | table | base / upside / downside |
| Recommendation memo | `memo` | remediation and approval path |
## Required context
Asset_class, segment, form_factor, market, project.
## Process
1. **Inherit cost to date.** From most recent draw or GL.
2. **Compute remaining cost.** Remaining scope x unit costs from library; market-adjust via labor/material references; apply escalation per overlay to expected execution dates per schedule.
3. **Apply contingency.** Remaining scope contingency per overlay.
4. **Delta vs. prior CTC.** Attribute to labor, material, scope, duration, CO.
5. **Scenario set.** Base, upside (favorable buyouts, scope value engineering), downside (labor shortage, material spike, additional COs).
6. **Recommendation.** If CTC within overlay, monitor. If above threshold, recommend remediation: re-estimate, scope trim, re-bid, contingency pull. Any budget reallocation above threshold opens approval.
7. **Confidence banner.** References surfaced.
## Metrics used
`cost_to_complete`, `contingency_remaining`, `contingency_burn_rate`, `change_orders_pct_of_contract`, `schedule_variance_days`.
## Reference files used
- `reference/normalized/capex_line_items__{scope}.csv`
- `reference/normalized/labor_rates__{market}.csv`
- `reference/normalized/material_costs__{region}_residential.csv`
- `reference/derived/contingency_assumptions__{org}.csv`
- `reference/normalized/construction_duration_assumptions__{region}.csv`
- `reference/normalized/approval_threshold_defaults.csv`
## Escalation points
- CTC variance above overlay threshold: CM -> AM -> executive.
- Contingency exhaustion risk: CM + AM approval request per overlay.
- Budget reallocation above threshold: approval row per overlay.
## Required approvals
- Budget reallocation above threshold.
## Failure modes
1. CTC without escalation. Fix: overlay escalator applied by execution date.
2. CTC without scenario set. Fix: scenario set mandatory.
3. Silent contingency pull. Fix: contingency posture explicit.
4. Ignoring pending COs. Fix: scenario view includes pending.
5. Sample library used as authoritative. Fix: confidence banner surfaces status.
## Edge cases
- **Late-stage value engineering:** scope trim may offset CTC drift; document VE basis.
- **Trade buyout mid-project:** favorable or unfavorable buyout feeds CTC; `trade_buyout_variance` referenced.
- **Force-majeure delay:** duration escalation significant; surface clearly.
- **Multiple stacked COs:** aggregate effect on CTC; stacked approval path.
## Example invocations
1. "Run the April CTC for Willow Creek."
2. "Pressure-test CTC on the South End renovation."
3. "Compare CTC to underwriting baseline for Riverbend."
## Example outputs
### Output — CTC refresh (abridged, Willow Creek April)
**Cost to date.** Inherited.
**Remaining cost.** Market-adjusted, escalated.
**Contingency.** Applied per overlay; remaining within band.
**Delta vs. prior CTC.** Attributed: material drift on two line items; labor hours above baseline on one.
**Scenario set.** Base within overlay. Downside approaches contingency exhaustion if labor shortage persists.
**Recommendation.** Monitor; re-estimate two line items at next draw; no reallocation needed.
**Confidence banner.** `capex_line_items@2026-03-31 (starter)`, `labor_rates__charlotte@2026-03-31 (sample)`, `material_costs__southeast_residential@2026-03-31 (sample)`.Related Skills
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