Our fee approach
No win, no fee.
Our fee is built into the CIF bid itself, so if the bid isn’t successful, the trust pays nothing for our work. All we ask is that you sign a deed of appointment, confirming that if the bid is awarded, SF Associates will deliver the project as project manager, contract administrator and employer’s agent.
About CIF Funding
Every CIF round, the DfE sets out what it will fund and how bids will be scored.
We read the guidance closely, survey your buildings and build a bid that shows clear need, good value and a well-planned project.
Is your school planning for the next CIF round?
Talk to us early, because the best bids start well before the deadline.
GET IN TOUCH
Funding priorities
What we fund most often
Failed boilers, pipework and controls that leave pupils without reliable heat
keeping the building weathertight and safe
Alarms, doors, compartmentation and escape routes
Asbestos, electrical systems and other urgent risks
Extra space where there isn’t room for the pupils already on roll
Process
How it works
01
CHECK
We confirm your school is eligible, identify the strongest projects and agree a deed of appointment.
02
Survey and cost
We inspect, gather evidence and prepare costed proposals.
03
Submit
We write and submit the bid to the DfE’s guidance and deadlines.
04
Deliver
If the bid is awarded, we run the project as project manager, contract administrator and employer’s agent, with our fees covered by the funding. If not, there’s nothing to pay, and we use the DfE’s feedback to strengthen the bid for the next round.
TRACK RECORD
See the heating, roofing, window and fire safety schemes we’ve funded and delivered.
SEE OUR WORK
We plan work around the school day and term dates, so learning carries on.
CONDITION IMPROVEMENT FUND
We do the work to win the funding, then deliver the project.