Owner Representative Services

As PPD explores Owner’s Representation projects with clients, we hear certain questions regularly and we learned that there is a lack of clarity about what Owner’s Representation is; what an Owner’s Representative does; and the difference between an Owner’s Representative and construction manager or project manager.

 

What is an Owner’s Representative?

An owner’s rep is a person or company, selected by the owner of a project to represent the owner’s interests in the development of the project.

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They advise owners and act on their behalf, ensuring 1) the successful completion of the project, and 2) that the owner’s interests are represented in every decision in each phase of development.

 

What does an Owner’s Representative do?

Owner’s reps make sure that the owner’s goals and objectives are going to be met in every decision that goes into a construction project. This includes ensuring that the project will be delivered on-time and on-budget to an agreed upon standard of quality.

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An owner’s rep scope of work varies from project to project and can include tasks such as feasibility studies, due diligence, construction document reviews, estimating, construction management, overseeing budgets/schedules/disbursements, quality control and closing out projects.

 

Why do I need an owner’s representative?

Often owners do not have the time or expertise to manage all phases of a project’s development. The owner’s representative has the technical knowledge and experience to ensure that the owner’s project goals and objectives are met in every phase.

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Typically these include:

• Ensuring  that the design meets the owner’s needs

• Establishing a quality framework and monitoring system

• Monitoring contractors for unsafe practices

• Facilitating effective and timely communication between all parties

• Managing community outreach

• Optimizing team schedule and budget performance

• Monitoring project closeout – warranty establishment, contract completion documentation, etc

 

What are the benefits of an owner’s representative?

• Making sure the owner is getting what they pay for

• Conflict resolutions

• Verify milestones are being met

• Quality assurance

• Optimizing schedules/budgets

• Technical expertise to deal with problems as they arise