Why It Pays to Use an Owner’s Representative

Sept. 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Many people in Orange County reach a point where they can finally afford to build their dream home, or transform their current home with a luxurious remodel. These residential construction projects can seem manageable at the beginning, but eventually they can take over the homeowner’s life. In between regular activities like work, family and social life, will they have time to strategically plan the project in an effective, orderly, and cost-efficient way?  
Many people who undertake their own residential construction projects are not aware that Owner’s Representatives exist. An Owner’s Representative is a professional with industry experience who will help you stay on top of the entire construction process by taking care of all the tedious, intricate and time-consuming tasks. This can be extremely helpful for owners who usually have a demanding job that already consumes their free time, or for those building their dream home in another location from where they currently live.
Many people may assume that they’re different and wouldn’t need that kind of assistance—they may want to think again, says Shelia Kuhn, an experienced owner’s representative in Newport Beach, California.
“A couple came to me recently at wit’s end—these were smart, business-savvy people at the top of their fields. They had chosen a contractor from a service that reportedly vetted the companies they recommended. They thought they’d made a good choice,” recalls Shelia. “Not only did the contractor perform sub-standard work, he increased the cost by 30% and refused to correct the faults.”
Shelia did some research and found out that not only was the contractor unlicensed, he also had not paid any of the subcontractors. To add insult to injury, the contractor was threatening to abandon the project, which would leave the couple responsible for paying the subcontractors. If they didn’t, the subcontractors could put a lien on their home.
The bottom line is that this couple will have to pay twice for poor-quality work, and pay new, qualified contractors to come in and fix the botched job.
It’s easy to get duped by unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors. In March, the Orange County Local News reported that 18 contractors in Orange County were arrested for working without licenses. These were people who had multiple offenses and used illegal advertising to find jobs.
Find out if you’re getting a deal that’s too good to be true—get your dream home, not a nightmare experience. This highly intelligent couple thought that they were on the path to success with their remodel, and now they end up with triple the bill and a lawsuit.
Shelia Kuhn is the president and founder of D&S Kuhn, Inc., a company with years of experience in owners’ representation. Shelia started the firm to fill a critical role she realized was missing in the residential custom home industry: representation for the owner in the capacity of project management.  
For more information on Shelia Kuhn and D&S Kuhn, Inc., or to schedule a free consultation, please visit http://DSKuhnInc.com.

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