Owner Representation Guide for North Texas Properties

What an owner may need help managing

Support can include reviewing project updates, organizing decisions, tracking open issues and coordinating communications with the designer and contractor. The useful starting point is the work the owner cannot manage with its current team. List those tasks before deciding what the role should be called.

How the role fits the project team

The owner’s representative, designer and contractor need distinct responsibilities and a clear communication path. Design advice, construction work and legal or financial advice may require different providers. Define which tasks belong to the proposed representative and which remain with those other advisers.

Confirm authority and qualifications

The agreement should state who can authorize spending, approve changes and issue instructions, including the decisions retained by the owner. Review the prospective provider’s qualifications for the specific tasks. Avoid overlapping instructions by documenting one process for project decisions and escalation.

What to compare in a written proposal

• Specific support tasks requested by the owner
• Authority to communicate, approve or commit funds
• Provider qualifications and excluded services
• Coordination with existing design and construction agreements

Questions before work is authorized

• Which decisions need support and which remain with the owner?
• Who is authorized to instruct the designer or contractor?
• Does the proposed engagement provide the independence and expertise the owner requires?

Related Services & Resources