What is an owner’s representative and how does it help business and land owners and developers, especially those who are out of town?

It’s challenging for business and landowners and land developers to oversee long distance construction projects. A wide range of decisions need to be made every week, so someone who can be at the location to oversee these details in your best interest is ideal. This is where an owner’s representative steps in.

An owner’s representative is a professional who sits on the same side of the table as the owner, represents the owner’s interests in the construction project, and acts as a liaison between the owner and all the parties involved in the project, from contractors and subcontractors to local suppliers and authorities.

The advantages to having an owner’s representative for these types of projects include:

1. Local expertise

An owner’s representative is a professional in the construction industry with extensive experience in managing a range of construction projects. They bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and resources to the project, and provide valuable insights and guidance to the owner saving time and money.

For example, they can help the owner understand the local zoning and permitting process, assemble the design team best for the type of project, provide the resources necessary for a successful project, and identify potential challenges that may arise, as well as strategies to overcome them.

2. Improved communication

It can be challenging for an owner or developer to stay informed about the daily or weekly progress, and communicating effectively and efficiently with all the necessary parties involved. An owner’s representative acts as the central point of contact for the owner, keeping them informed about all aspects of the project’s progress. This is especially important when it comes to having “eyes at the scene” to visit the site frequently, oversee the project and report critical information to the owner or developer.

3. Cost savings

An owner’s representative can help the owner or developer identify potential cost savings opportunities, and can help negotiate better pricing with architects, engineers, interior designers, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. This ability stems from their familiarity with the local business, design and construction community.

For example, an owner’s representative may be able to negotiate discounts or identify cost-effective alternative materials for the project. They can also help the owner avoid costly mistakes, or change orders, that might arise during the day-to-day construction process. And they can ensure that all parties involved in the project follow the agreed-upon plans and specifications.

4. Quality control

An owner’s representative can monitor the quality of the work being performed and ensure that it meets the owner’s (or developer’s) standards. They can also ensure that the various stages of the project are being completed on time and within budget.

This is especially important if the owner or developer lives and / works in another state or country, and they don’t have the ability to visit the site on a weekly basis.

5. Risk management

An owner’s representative helps the owner identify and mitigate potential risks that may arise, or have arisen, during the construction process. They can help develop contingency plans when issues do arise, and they offer their advice on how to deal with risks.

For example, if the project is delayed (due to unforeseen circumstances), the owner’s representative can develop a plan and solutions to minimize the impact of the delay and keep the project on track as much as possible.

Danto Builders as owner’s representatives

Danto Builders has years of experience as an owner’s representative with a variety of commercial, restaurant, hotel, industrial and retail new construction and renovation projects, which has saved time and money for their clients. Danto Builders works with companies locally and out of town in the Midwest (Ohio, Illinois, Michigan), Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, California and Canada that are interested in projects located in South Florida. Craig and Debbie Danto, owners of Danto Builders, are originally from the Midwest, and they both understand the need of clients to be able to trust someone who will provide accurate, timely and dependable information and resources.

Recently, Danto Builders helped a client from Ohio assemble his design team for a restaurant build out, including the architect, engineers, kitchen designer and interior designer. The experience for completing the construction documents was seamless and timely. This team was selected based on their experience with restaurants, specifically in the Wynwood area since the permitting can be challenging.

In another instance, Danto Builders is taking over a new construction commercial building project in which the out-of-town client had selected an architect on his own who did not work out and had to go to another architect with whom he was also not happy. It took over three years to get his plans and his project approved. Danto Builders plans to make his experience as smooth as possible with clear and transparent communication and commitment to exceed expectations.

 

Contact Debbie Danto or call (954) 229-9051 to discuss your project.