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My partner, Realtor Jennifer Dunbar, and I spend a fair amount of time looking at houses. I often bring my construction experience along when she is evaluating properties with buyers, and we are currently looking for a rental property ourselves. Between the two, we...

After more than 45 years managing residential construction projects, I’ve seen firsthand that the most successful projects come down to two things: skill and attention to detail. It would be great to see more women participating in the construction industry...

A few weeks ago, I wrote a LinkedIn post encouraging greater participation by women in the construction industry, particularly in roles where attention to detail, communication, organization, and technical skills are often more important than physical strength....

One of the most valuable services an Owner's Representative provides is an independent review of every proposed change order. A change order should not be approved simply because additional work has been identified. Before recommending approval, I ask two questions:...

After years of managing construction projects, one patterns stands out: Projects without a clearly defined and actively managed schedule rarely stay on track. Without a detailed schedule, it’s difficult to coordinate trades, plan material deliveries, or understand how...

One of the most common and costly mistakes I see in residential construction: Starting construction before plans are fully complete. This usually happens because design, consultant coordination, and permitting take longer than expected—so there’s pressure to get...

Another issue I see on many construction projects: Starting with an incomplete or unrealistic budget. In many cases, the initial budget is based on incomplete plans or limited detail. There is often a desire to move forward quickly, even though key elements of the...

One question I’m often asked is: **What does an Owner’s Representative actually do?** In simple terms, my role is to help homeowners navigate the construction process with clarity and predictability. That starts with building—or ensuring—a realistic budget and making...

In addition to serving as a mediator between all parties, I use my decades of custom home building experience to make sure the critical steps of the process are managed correctly. Sometimes I speak to clients who think, “I can do this myself, or I can count on my...