-->

Do You Need An Owners Rep In A Construction Site?

By Deana Norton


Project owners and developers rarely find enough time to be at construction sites throughout the life of a project. It is the owners rep who take up the place of developers or owners as projects take shape. The representative ensures that the interests of the owner are well represented. There are crucial responsibilities that come with this position and are intended to ensure successful completion.

The representative must be conversant with the jurisdiction where the project is being carried out. As such, he uses his knowledge and experience in the industry to watch over the entire construction process. A property owner or investor might have little or no knowledge of daily activities at a site. Most developers and investors do not have the time to watch over the work. This makes reps an important part of any project.

The representative is tasked with obtaining licenses and permits that will allow commencement of the project. To obtain these permits, he must know the local procedures and the offices where these permits and licenses are obtained. Such knowledge is important for planning purposes. Reliability requires knowledge of local policies and regulations to minimize the chances of rejection or delays due to conditions that are yet to be met.

It is paramount for representatives to be part of proposal evaluation committees. This is based on the fact that the rep will watch over the project through its life. Crucial among the important evaluation responsibilities is monitoring expenditure. He will ensure that budgetary limits are not exceeded. The cost of materials is kept within limits and labor matters are handled effectively. He also ensures that post construction services are delivered according to expectations.

Contractors and other partners in a project are a crucial part of the successful completion of any project. Representatives are tasked with conducting background checks to verify all information provided in tender documents. Conducting due-diligence on contractors may also involve visiting their physical addresses and verifying their financial statements with banks and other institutions. Representatives are also required to visit sites where these contractors have active projects or have successfully completed a project.

Representatives are tasked with monitoring the daily progress of any project. Monitoring entails evaluating the performance of service providers and contractors to ensure that they deliver based on contractual agreements. To deliver in this capacity, a representative must have full knowledge of standards set at the beginning of the project. Representatives ensure that these standards are adhered to at every stage in the construction process.

Reps carry a huge responsibility of ensuring that the site lives up to expected standards. This includes the availability of safety equipment to all workers. He is the person to show government and inspection officials around a site in case they need to inspect the facility. He should provide answers whenever they are demanded by any official or authority regarding the project.

An owner representative is charged with maintaining a good relationship between the investor, suppliers, builders and all other stakeholders involved in the project. He organizes meetings and ensures that information flows smoothly from one party to the other. To facilitate these responsibilities, the representative should possess a bachelor degree in construction economics, civil engineering or a related field. Experience is also highly valued in this field.




About the Author:



Related Posts

There is no other posts in this category.

Post a Comment