owner's rep

Isn't that what the architect or designer is for?

I'm pretty sure that's their job . . .

I think you are right needsadvice. Our architect oversaw our whole gut renovation while we lived 800 miles away. with the technology available now, it is fairly simple to stay informed from afar. We got emails, pics, and suggestions/questions on a regular basis. Project managing was included in the fee that we paid him and we were thrilled with the results. Chat with your architect andrew...

andrew,

Depending on the scope of work involved, I may be able to help you. I manage my family's portfolio in NY and outside of NY, so I definitely empathize with out of state owners. I agree with others that your architect should be handling this (especially if it's a very large project). However, sometimes the fees charged may not be palatable.

Full disclosure:
I'm also a licensed real estate sales associate at City Connections Realty in Manhattan. My most recent project involved helping an Upper West Side property owner (lives in Texas) renovate his property. Please bear in mind that I am not a GC nor a property manager, but rather someone who can help "coordinate" as you put it. Finally, depending on your situation, I may be able to assist you for free. Should you wish to contact me, my email is listed below.

Good luck with your renovations and finding a coordinator, even if it's not me.

Best,

Vincent L.
City connections Realty Inc.
71 West 23rd Street Suite 1001
New York, NY 10010

Email: vlee at ccrny dot com

An owner's rep does much more than most architects do in managing the overall project. He/she will also manage the architect & engineering consultants to make sure that their drawings & specs are complete and to keep them involved during construction. Construction is an adversarial process that often pits the architect & contractor against each other. Many problems with schedule and cost overruns come from architects not drawing or specifying things correctly, or not approving submittals in a timely manner. You cannot expect an architect to act in an unbiased way if he is the problem. Owner's reps manage this process and mediate architect/contractor disputes. A good owner's rep also holds the contractor accountable for every dollar and will make sure bids cover the full scope of work and that change orders are warrented and negotiated properly. This service does come with a cost, though. But on projects over $500K the owner's rep fee will usually pay for itself by reducing other costs and in keeping the team efficient.

Hi Andrew,
I'm an Owner's Rep for residential renovations. Please check out my website at Pamela Eagle.com