Hire an Owner’s Representative Before Starting Your Construction Project: 5 Reasons Why It’s Important
Construction projects are becoming more complex. Between selecting vendors to reviewing work scope and approving draw requests – owners are now seeing why hiring an owner representative for a project is crucial.
Often owners don’t have the capacity or the expertise to manage a construction project. But by hiring an owner's representative before you start, the owner’s representative can have a positive impact on your cost, schedule, and quality by bringing their extensive industry knowledge to the project.
The owner’s representative acts as an important extension of you to manage the entire project from start to finish.
They’ll manage the review and oversight of the project. They will put together the team of vendors and contractors, coordinate and communicate with the vendors/contractors, and continually protect your interests.
By starting at the pre-construction phase, the owner’s representative will help minimize the financial and schedule risks and assist in negotiating contracts with vendors.
Here are 5 reasons why you need to hire an owner’s representative at the beginning of your construction project.
1. An owner’s representative is a skilled expert that can protect your interest from the beginning.
They can review contracts, designs, engineering, costs, budgets, scheduling, and more advocating for you at the start.
For instance, when building your project budget, your owner’s representative will understand how to budget for different soft costs that can affect your bottom line.
2. The owner’s representative will provide proper review and oversight.
From making sure insurance is obtained to reviewing draw requests to cost escalations, the owner’s representative will advocate for you and keep your project moving.
3. An owner’s representative will make sure your vendor and contractors stay on schedule and within budget.
It’s difficult to notice material issues until it affects your budget and schedule. Your owner’s representative will anticipate these issues and handle them before they cause significant delays or costs.
4. An owner’s representative can give you expert industry advice from the start.
From risk allocation to project staffing and contract negotiations, your owner’s representative can help navigate these situations for you – making sure your interests are protected.
5. An owner’s representative can assist with plans and specifications.
The plans and specs can be difficult to understand without a construction background. But your owner’s representative will review these making sure expenses and conditions are appropriate, the scope of work is clear, and the project executed.
Construction projects are complex and bring risks.
As an owner, you don’t have the time or knowledge to navigate all the parts of a construction project. And you can’t rely on your design firm or contractor to manage it themselves.
You need an advocate whose only job is to protect your interests from the beginning.