The Owner's Representative

The well-informed owner has a definite advantage in the construction process. The Owner's Representative shares insights that protect the owner's interests and help the owner play a more effective role in moving the project forward.

The discussion begins with practical steps in selecting a contractor: the request for proposal, the interview, comparing contractor fees, and evaluating their financial condition. The coverage continues with key issues throughout the construction process:

• The contractor's final estimate gives us vital clues about how the project will fare in the months ahead. A method is given to systematically review these materials, looking for red flags.
• The contractor's clarifications and exclusions list often includes items that shouldn't be in the final contract. The chapter on "clarification landmines" explains how to identify these, and offers helpful examples.
• Change proposals will begin to arrive soon after breaking ground. Which are valid, and are the costs reasonable? This section outlines a process to evaluate each proposal.
• The contractor's meeting minutes may be inaccurate, making the project record less than objective. How should that be handled? This chapter explains the owner's options.
• Does it matter if the contractor wants to make a key staff change during the project? It may not be in the project's best interest. The chapter on staff changes explains who shouldn't be replaced and why.
• When a project gets behind schedule, some owners consider offering a contractor bonus. The chapter on bonuses explains how they work and why they may not be the best course of action.
• Consultant reports play an important role in monitoring quality and preventing serious problems after completion. This chapter draws attention to a number of reasons they may not be protecting the owner's interests as they should.

Many important questions are considered throughout the book:

• Should an out-of-town contractor be hired for the project?
• How can the owner independently determine if the project is on schedule?
• Is subcontractor insurance a suitable alternative to a contractor bond?
• What is overbilling, how is it done, and how can it be limited?
• What things should the owner ask the contractor for at the start of the project?

The Owner's Representative offers a wealth of information that will benefit anyone on the ownership team, whether they work directly for the owner, represent ownership as the architect, or are involved as an owner's consultant.

Tim Fenton has thirty years in the building industry, first on the side of the contractor, later with a developer, then eventually representing an institutional investor. This diverse background has included most construction types, from healthcare, cleanrooms and education to distribution centers, hospitality and multifamily. Tim translates this experience into a well-organized and insightful explanation of the construction process.