Owner’s Representative not to be confused with Construction Manager or Project Manager
Project Management is the coordination of Time, Equipment, Money, Tasks and People;
Construction Management is the process of organizing and directing men, materials and equipment to accomplish the purpose of the designer; and
Owner Representation is the effective third party hired by the owner in the absence of any or little experience and/or knowledge of the building construction process by the owner.
Usually Owner Representatives have experience and/or knowledge in planning, design, construction, construction management, project management, real estate and the overall development process with the ability to anticipate and solve problems in a timely manner.
The following is a partial list of common tasks and activities appointed to Owner Representative by the Owner:
Pre-Construction
Liaison between the project participants and the owner (sometimes the owner’s management staff or team);
Advises and assists the owner in the need for a project team, who should be on the team, team selection, qualifying the team, and hiring the team;
Advises and assists the owner in the need for a project schedule and budget including the respective tasks and activities;
Attends and participates in municipal planning, design and review meetings on behalf of the owner;
Monitors the design and development process pursuant to the owner’s best interests, desires, and expectations;
Oversees the overall design process to insure that the contract documents are prepared and completed on a timely basis and the final design complies with the owner’s expectations; and
When given the authority executes documents and contracts on behalf of the owner
During Construction
Insures compliance with the contract/construction documents by recognizing, resolving and responding to issues and problems for the purpose of avoiding conflicts and delays;
Manages and responds to costs and payment requests from project resources such as the Construction Manager, Architect, Engineer, Contractor(s), and owner’s vendors; and
Insures that the contract documents are being executed correctly.
Post Construction
Assists the owner in occupying the property/project;
Monitors the project for defects and/or deficiencies as reported by the occupants of the project and prepares and transmits such information to the contractor and/or responsible parties;
and Organizes and attends the one year inspection if mandated by the contract documents and/or statutory requirements.
Perhaps others can comment on and/or offer addition benefits of Owner Representation or even services needed by owners when undertaking building construction projects.
