Construction management services for owners with capital at risk
We work exclusively on the owner's side of large projects. That means our advice on cost, buildability, schedule, and risk carries no incentive to protect a contractor's margin or a designer's fee.
Engage us for a single estimate, a constructability review, a full construction management assignment, or the entire life of a capital program.
Three ways owners typically engage us
Most relationships start narrow and expand once the numbers prove out.
1. A single question that needs a defensible answer
Can this site carry the infrastructure the plan requires? Is this bid too low to survive? Did the contractor actually earn this pay application? Short, focused assignments with a written deliverable, usually completed in two to six weeks.
2. Preconstruction through award
We take the project from concept to signed construction contract: feasibility, phased estimating, constructability review, bid package preparation, bidder outreach, proposal leveling, and award recommendation. This is where the most money is saved.
3. Full lifecycle representation
Preconstruction, then construction management or owner's representation through closeout and bond exoneration. Continuity matters here. The people who wrote the budget are the people defending it in the field.
The full range
Twenty two service lines, all delivered by the same team, all built on the same discipline.
Which service fits your situation
A quick guide to the most common starting points.
| If you are | Start with | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluating a site before you buy it | Due diligence and feasibility | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Testing whether a concept pencils | Preconstruction services | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Holding a budget you do not trust | Cost estimating | 3 to 8 weeks |
| About to send drawings to bid | Constructability review | 2 to 5 weeks |
| Starting construction without owner staff | Construction management | Project duration |
| Running several projects at once | Program management | Program duration |
| A public agency awarding a capital project | Public works CM | Project duration |
| Losing time and unsure who owns the delay | Delay claims analysis | 4 to 16 weeks |
| Funding a project and verifying draws | Lender and draw inspections | Monthly, ongoing |
| In litigation and needing an opinion | Expert witness | Case duration |
We support every common delivery method
The delivery method you choose determines where risk sits, who holds which contract, and how early a builder's judgment enters the design. It does not change whether someone has to manage cost, schedule, and quality on the owner's behalf.
We work under design-bid-build, design-build, CM at-risk, construction manager as agent, progressive design-build, and integrated project delivery. If you are still choosing, we will walk you through the trade-offs for your specific project, funding source, and risk tolerance.
- Design-build, including bridging documents and design criteria packages
- CM at-risk, including GMP development and open book cost validation
- Integrated project delivery, including multi party agreements and target value design
- Design-bid-build, the default for most public works procurement
- Construction manager as agent, where we manage but do not hold trade contracts
Design-bid-build
Lowest procurement risk, highest change order exposure. Best when the scope is fully definable and the schedule allows sequential phases.
Design-build
Single point of responsibility and schedule compression, but the owner gives up some design control. Requires strong criteria documents to work.
CM at-risk
Builder input during design with a guaranteed maximum price. Works well when scope evolves but the budget must be capped.
Integrated project delivery
Shared risk and reward across owner, designer, and builder. Powerful on complex projects with sophisticated participants.
Frequently asked questions about our services
Can we hire you for just one estimate?
Yes. Independent estimates, budget reviews, and bid validations are among our most common assignments. There is no requirement to retain us for anything further.
Do you have a minimum project size?
We do not publish one, but our work is best suited to projects where the construction value justifies a dedicated cost and schedule discipline. That is typically infrastructure, public works, land development, and commercial or industrial projects. If your project is smaller, tell us anyway and we will say honestly whether we add value.
Are you a construction manager or a contractor?
Both, though not on the same project. We hold a California A General Engineering Contractor license and can contract work directly. On most engagements we serve as the owner's construction manager, which keeps our advice independent.
Do you provide services outside California?
Our practice is centered on Southern California. We have performed assignments in Hawaii, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, and we will consider out of state work where our specific expertise applies.
How fast can you produce an estimate?
It depends on the design stage and the size of the project. A conceptual budget on a defined site can take two to three weeks. A bid quality estimate on a full set of construction documents typically takes four to eight weeks. We will commit to a date before we start.
Will you work under an existing owner or agency contract format?
Yes. We regularly work under agency professional services agreements, owner standard forms, AIA and EJCDC based agreements, and client specific master service agreements.
Not sure which service you need
Describe the situation and we will tell you what would actually help, even if the answer is that you do not need us yet.
Send us the project
Tell us the site, the scope, and the deadline. Initial consultations carry no fee and no obligation.