frequently asked questions

An Owner’s Representative is the main point of contact between a project owner and the project team.  The project team includes the general contractor, the architect, the engineer of record, governmental agencies, municipalities, counties and other jurisdictional authorities, and any and all other consultants retained for the project. 

He/she is the owner’s eyes and ears, and oversees the entire development process, beginning with selecting the design team and general contractor, to negotiating contracts, managing the project budget and schedule, and ensuring that all work is complete to the owner’s required standards. 

A good Owner’s Representative will be an effective buffer between the owner and the project team, and will ensure that issues and concerns are resolved in a timely and effective manner. Having an Owner’s Representative provides peace of mind to owners, knowing that their interests are protected and that their project is in good hands.

An Owner’s Representative is a professional retained directly by an owner of a development project, and who acts on behalf of the owner throughout the duration of the project.  He/she solves complex issues and uses industry knowledge to help the owner make informed decisions. He/she works closely with the owner to understand the owner’s needs and goals for the project, and then incorporates those needs and goals into the project as the project progresses.  The Owner’s Representative is the owner’s point of contact with the project team throughout the development process.  He/she ensures that the owner’s interests are represented and protected, and that the project is delivered on time and to the required quality standards.

A Construction Manager is a professional, usually employed by the general contractor (and not the owner), who is responsible for managing the construction phase of the project. The Construction Manager works closely with the Owner’s Representative, the architect and other members of the design team to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards of the owner. He/she is responsible for coordinating all of the different trades on site and managing the subcontractors.

1. Managing the budget for the project: He/she works with the owner to develop a budget and ensures that all expenses are kept within the agreed-upon limits. This may involve negotiating contracts with the general contractor, design team and other consultants to keep project costs in line and project delays under control.

    

2. Managing the Schedule: Another duty of an Owner’s Representative is to manage the project schedule. He/she works closely with the design team and general contractor to develop a reasonable timeline and ensures that all work is completed on pace. This involves monitoring progress regularly and making adjustments to the schedule as necessary to keep the project on track.

    

3. Ensuring Quality of Work: An Owner’s Representative is also responsible for ensuring that all work is completed to the desired quality of the owner. He/she works with the design team and general contractor to establish standards for the quality of work and ensure that these standards are met. This includes regular inspections to ensure that that the finished product meets the owner’s expectations.

    

4. Acting as a Liaison: An Owner Representative also serves as the liaison between the owner, the general contractor and the design team. He/she ensures that the team is working towards the same goal and that there is clear communication throughout the entire project. He/she represents the owner in all meetings and negotiations, ensures that the owner’s interests are protected and that any issues or concerns are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

The Owner initiates the project and provides the necessary resources for the project to be completed successfully.  The Owner’s primary responsibility is to provide the necessary funding to cover all costs and expenses associated with the project. This includes all expenses related to design, construction, and post-construction activities. The owner must also ensure that the project’s budget and timeline are realistic based upon existing market conditions and other factors impacting the construction industry.

Another essential role of the owner is to select and hire the project team. This team typically includes an architect, engineer, general contractor, and other specialty contractors as needed. The owner must ensure that each member of the project team is qualified, experienced, and has the necessary licenses and insurance to perform their work.

The owner must also provide clear objectives and expectations, including the timeline, budget, and quality standards. This will help the project team to understand the owner’s expectations and deliver a final product that meets those expectations.

Owner Representative fees are typically structured as a percentage of the total project budget or total construction budget, depending on the size and complexity of the project.