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.