OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE/PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Winston Consultants provides services as an Owner’s Representative or Project Manager to clients who hire WCI to manage and execute design and construction projects on their behalf, particularly when the Owner doesn’t have the industry knowledge, time, or in-house staff to manage the project themselves. An OR/PM acts as the Owner’s eyes and ears throughout the entire development process with the sole purpose of executing the Owner’s goals and mission, and protecting their interests.
Ideally, an Owner’s Representative is engaged at the very beginning of the development process so they can work alongside the Owner on initial project programming and planning, understand the Owner’s goals and objectives as well as budget, and devise a realistic plan and schedule to achieve those goals. Once those fundamental pieces are in place, the OR/PM then helps to develop the project scope and oversee predevelopment efforts, including hiring and coordinating efforts of the design and consulting team, negotiating legal agreements with adjacent property owners and local stakeholders, managing the process of obtaining zoning variances, building permits, and approvals, advising on and obtaining project insurances. If appropriate, WCI assists Owners in obtaining financing for projects, including generating development budgets and operating proformas, creating marketing materials and financing packages, and assisting the Owner in bringing the project to appropriate lenders and investors.
During the construction phase Winston Consultants manages all aspects of the construction process, including developing bid documents and awarding the general contracting or construction management contract, overseeing the drafting and execution of construction contracts, assisting the contractor in bidding out individual trades, approving costs including negotiating all change orders, reviewing and approving monthly requisitions, and submitting requisition packages to project lenders. WCI also monitors construction to ensure that the project remains on budget and on schedule, and oversees all aspects of building construction through completion, punchlist, and commissioning. WCI also assists the Owner in identifying and awarding contracts for marketing, sales or leasing, and project management, to ensure the quick and efficient disposition of the project upon completion. If appropriate, WCI can also assist Owners in obtaining permanent financing upon lease-up and stabilization of the project.
While every project is different, some of the services that WCI offers as an Owner’s Rep/Project Manager include the following:
Providing a single point of management throughout the entire design and construction process
Assessing project feasibility and providing site selection assistance
Assisting with selection and engagement of design, engineering, consulting, testing and inspection professionals
Developing the scope of work for various project participants, and overseeing drafting and approval of their contracts
Establishing hard and soft cost budgets
Providing value engineering input and cost analysis
Developing and managing the master schedule
Preparing bid packages and managing the bid process
Advising the owner on project delivery systems and forms of contracts
Conducting constructability reviews
Providing general conditions and contract requirements advisement
Establishing and maintaining quality control standards
Providing leadership of job coordination meetings
Conducting overall contract administration and management
Managing project documentation and file maintenance
Providing progress and financial reporting
Reviewing and approving change orders
Reviewing and approving contractor payment requests
Acting as liaison with construction lenders for processing of loan requisitions, extensions, and refinancing
Anticipating, avoiding, and troubleshooting building construction issues and facilitating dispute resolution
Providing contract closeout supervision