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Click on a question above.
1. Doesn’t an Owner’s Representative add unnecessary additional cost to my project?
a. The value engineering and savings generated through proper planning, scheduling, and the anticipation and avoidance of delays will more than cover the OR’s fee. REPM will save you money and time (both of high value) on your project by avoiding potential pitfalls and cost-overruns.
6. What does an Owner’s Representative really do?
a. An Owner’s Representative is the owner’s advocate throughout a construction project. REPM manages the entire process of opening your new store from site selection, team selection, project scheduling, execution, and close-out. We also work tirelessly to avoid any negative issues during the project and resolve any that still come up.
2. Why shouldn't I just run this project by myself?
a. If you have the necessary industry knowledge and experience to successfully oversee and manage a diverse list of architects, contractors, sub-contractors, and government agencies along with all of the potential problems and hang-ups that can occur then you probably can run it yourself assuming you don’t need the extra time get your new business ready to run, hire employees, plan marketing initiatives, etc. REPM has over 15 years experience in the construction industry as well as the training and know-how to effectively lead a diverse work force to project success.
7. I don’t want to lose control of my project; will the Owner’s Representative be making decisions for me?
a. The Owner’s Representative’s main function is to act in the best interest of the Owner at all times. As the Owner, the Representative reports back to you – everyone else involved in the project will report to him. REPM and the Owner will have a collaborative relationship throughout the duration of your project. We will advise you towards making successful decisions about your project while avoiding unnecessary cost increases.
3. My Architect or General Contractor has offered to manage my project for me, why shouldn’t I just let them do it?
a. The job of the Architect is to design and draw your project. The job of the General Contractor is to build your project. Neither one of them have the complete objectivity to work in the best interest of only the Owner. REPM functions as the team-leader and will work tirelessly with all involved parties to ensure that the end result is on budget, on schedule, and most importantly up to the standards demanded by the Owner.
8. I’ve heard horror stories of an Owner getting presented with a whole list of expensive change-orders at the end of a project. How can REPM help to avoid this?
a. Simple. Thorough and efficient due diligence and planning. Taking the extra (though sometimes painstaking) steps in the beginning of a project can generally avoid the presentation of any unforeseen circumstances throughout the duration of the project. In any type of construction there will from time to time be things that come up once a project is underway. When a change-order is valid and necessary, REPM will receive, review, and re-negotiate any that your contractor presents prior to bothering you with them. We will ensure that the final order is a fair price and has been completed as agreed upon.
10. Where can REPM act as Owner’s Representative?
a. With our nationwide experience within this field, REPM can effectively and efficiently act as your Owner’s Representative anywhere in the United States. We have contacts in architecture and contracting nationwide and the ability to manage most projects from our home office in Michigan, visiting your site when needed (generally 1-2 visits per project).
9. Why do I need assistance in hiring a General Contractor, can’t I just take the lowest bid?
a. In construction, price is not the only important variable. There must be a well-balanced distribution of price, scope, and timing. REPM will make sure that you aren’t being ‘taken’ by an unscrupulous contractor with nothing more to offer than his low price.
5. How early should I begin working with River's Edge Project Management?
a. The earlier on in a project the better. The ideal time to hire REPM would be after you have narrowed your location search down to one or two top choices. This way we can assist you in efficiently gaining the key metrics needed to thoroughly evaluate your site. This also allows us a bit of time to build a good working relationship prior to moving into the more intense ‘team-building’ phase of your project. While an early introduction will benefit all parties involved, River's Edge Project Management can generally begin assisting you at any point in your project.
4. My Contractor says that I don’t need to get a full set of construction plans drawn because he ‘knows how to build’ my restaurant. Why should I still pay to have the drawings completed?
a. Contractors have a tendency to think that if they’ve done something once, they could do it a thousand times. Most General Contractors simply do not understand the specific mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that are involved in many restaurants. It is because of this that it is always well advised to obtain a complete set of plans for each store so that no system is ever compromised or overlooked. The amount of money spent for such drawings will be overshadowed when your store is open and operating at peak efficiency rather than being plagued by repetitive service calls to fix a poorly installed system. | 
