Owner as Contractor

I got a call from a woman in New Mexico who had purchased a home in Boulder County. She and her husband planned to move to Superior, Colorado with their two children. She called to ask for help to manage an Owner as Contractor remodeling project.

From our first phone conversation, I recognized that this couple was well organized and practical. It was clear that they needed design support, onsite management, and recommendations for resources and labor.

The best clients are savvy and knowledgeable

Some of my favorite projects have involved clients with organizational skills and insight from previous remodeling projects. Experienced clients understand the value of a “team” approach when approaching complicated challenges. Business practices that are based on trust yield long-term relationships.

On subsequent phone meetings with the New Mexico clients, the nitty-gritty topics of schedules and budgets were discussed. They had a firm moving date and a tight budget number. Tactfully, I shared that their budget limit was unrealistic, given the scope of the work involved. It is necessary, to be frank, and kind.

Their Wish List included: structural partition changes; new kitchen and appliances; new flooring throughout (carpet, laminate); lighting upgrades; master bath renovation; mechanical upgrades; complete interior painting; and new hardware.

This project and its favorable outcome is an example of the “Owner as Contractor” model in construction

To frame our cooperative construction model clearly, I composed a list of shared responsibilities for the Owner and the Builder. We intended to begin work on the closing date of the property purchase. Time was of the essence, as the Owners planned to slide right into a finished remodel upon arrival in Colorado, in time for the next school year.

The Builder I recommended gave pricing for his responsibilities. It included an agreed-upon allowance for painting and unforeseen issues. Then the demo began. To keep costs down, a new kitchen was designed and ordered from the local IKEA.

Minor bumps along the way

• We encountered an engineering concern during demolition. An engineer was called in to specify a laminated beam to support floor and roof loads. This was a minor glitch that did not hold up progress.
• The Owner-supplied laminate flooring ended up arriving late. It also arrived without the matching tread nosings. The flooring contractor agreed to return after the move-in date to install them.

Taking responsibility, assigning roles

When responsibility is shared, the blame for delays and overruns is also shared. In this particular case, a mature, less-emotionally charged atmosphere prevailed.

During the course of the project, I visited the site as needed. I acted as a liaison between the Owner, contractors, suppliers, and carpenters. This is the role I often play and I am very skillful at it.

From the start, the Owner, with my guidance, pulled the permit. The city of Superior, Colorado, as with many smaller-sized jurisdictions, is very supportive of owner contracting. Building departments are often short-staffed and under a lot of pressure.

Experience counts

I made sure to meet the Inspectors to walk them through site conditions. I introduced them to the carpenters, as I always do, for the carpenters are the prime movers of a project of this kind. My presence onsite assured the Inspectors that a knowledgeable professional was keeping an eye on progress. Safety, code compliance, and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand.

The Healing Home approach is uniquely oriented to support Owner contracted projects

I recognize that the talents and enthusiasm that my clients bring to their projects are the keys to success.

By supporting decision-making at every stage, I am available to guide homeowners in the relative values of the products and services selected. This can mean big savings over traditional architect/contractor construction models.

The goal of The Healing Home is to achieve the highest benefit and quality for all involved.