What is an Owner's Representative in Construction?
In the construction world, an owner's representative makes sure the owner’s best interests are at the heart of every decision made. This can be particularly helpful for projects where the property owner has limited knowledge of design and construction. Having an owner's representative on hand to represent the owner's interests and be the liaison between the design team, contractors, client vendors, and even existing tenants can make the difference in a project's success.
An owner's representative is usually charged to monitor (not manage):
- the design development process to ensure project scope is achieved;
- the overall project budget;
- the bidding process;
- assist with jurisdictional reviews and project related mitigation issues;
- construction related activities, including pay applications;
- project close-out and occupancy;
- move management and relocation.
Some typical cases where an owner's representative can benefit a project are:
- Remodel/construction at a hospital complex;
- Additions to a school;
- Changes to a condominium complex;
- New municipal buildings
- Building or remodeling a community-run library.
The term owner's representative and construction project manager are often used as interchangeable terms, but there really is a difference.
