Top 8 Owner’s Representative Companies in the U.S. (2025 Guide for Developers)

Large construction projects can be overwhelming. Managing architects, engineers, contractors, budgets, and schedules all at once is a massive undertaking. That’s where an owner’s representative (often called an owner’s rep) becomes invaluable. Having an expert to oversee the project can mean the difference between a smooth, successful development and a stressful, over-budget nightmare. This guide will explain what an owner’s representative is, what traits to look for when hiring one, and which U.S. owner’s representation companies are the best.

What Is an Owner’s Representative?

In simple terms, an owner’s representative manages the design and construction process for owners or developers who lack the time or in-house expertise to micromanage a complex project. An owner’s rep serves as an extension of your staff, representing your interests and keeping the project moving forward while you focus on your core business.

Think of an owner’s rep as your trusted advisor in the construction arena. Their primary role is to safeguard your interests, making sure the project stays aligned with your vision, budget, and quality standards. Unlike the general contractor or design team, who have their own scopes, the owner’s rep’s loyalty is to you, the owner. They provide seasoned oversight: reviewing contracts, monitoring progress, coordinating between all parties, and proactively mitigating risks on the owner’s behalf. A good owner’s rep will catch issues early (when they’re easier and cheaper to fix) and keep everyone accountable to the project goals.

Top 8 Owner’s Representation Companies in the U.S. (Ranked)

These owner’s representative firms are well-known for their expertise in owner’s rep/owner’s project management services and come highly recommended. Each firm overview below includes their company background and industry focus to help you identify which will best meet your needs.

1. Advastar Group

Advastar Group is a nationally recognized consulting and staffing firm that provides specialized owner’s representation services across the United States. Founded in 2012 and based in Kansas City, Advastar has quickly grown by supporting some of the most innovative companies and complex projects nationwide. The firm initially made its mark in recruiting and staffing for industries like energy, engineering, construction, and manufacturing, and it leverages this deep talent network in its owner’s rep practice.

Industry Focus & Services: Advastar’s owner’s rep niche is managing large CAPEX (capital expenditure) construction projects. They have expertise spanning construction, energy, engineering, and heavy industrial projects, making them a go-to partner for complex developments. Advastar provides end-to-end project oversight, from early planning and feasibility through construction and turnover. Their services include project scope development, budgeting and scheduling, risk assessments, contractor/vendor selection and negotiation, and on-site construction management. Advastar also offers program management for multi-project programs and owner’s engineering services, providing technical oversight on engineering matters.

Why They’re #1: Advastar Group earns the top spot due to its combination of specialized focus and national reach. Advastar exemplifies what an owner-focused firm should be: technically adept, responsive, and truly dedicated to protecting the owner’s interests at all times. Their track record with innovative companies and complex projects speaks to their capability. For a developer embarking on a major project, Advastar provides a “trusted advocate from vision to completion,” as their tagline suggests, making them an excellent partner to ensure your project’s success.

2. Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is a Fortune 500 global real estate services company with a presence in over 80 countries. While JLL is best known for brokerage and property management, they also have a robust Project & Development Services (PDS) division that acts as owner’s representatives for clients around the world. With over 112,000 employees globally and decades of experience, JLL has the resources and expertise to handle projects of any size. For developers, JLL offers the reassurance of a global leader in commercial real estate backing your project.

Industry Focus & Services: JLL focuses on commercial real estate development projects like office buildings, corporate campuses, retail developments, hotels, mixed-use projects, and even specialty sectors like sports venues or data centers. They provide services from pre-development feasibility and permitting/entitlements support to full-scale project management, including managing design teams, overseeing contractor bidding, cost management, schedule oversight, and coordinating all aspects of delivery (often in a sustainability-minded way, as JLL emphasizes innovative and sustainable project solutions). Essentially, JLL can manage a project from concept to completion on behalf of an owner who may not have local expertise.

3. CBRE Group

CBRE Group is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, frequently #1 in global real estate rankings. Through its partnership with Turner & Townsend, it has one of the most expansive project management and cost consulting platforms worldwide. In the owner’s rep realm, CBRE’s Project & Program Management (PJM) division provides end-to-end management for real estate developments, effectively acting as owner’s representatives for clients in nearly every industry. With CBRE, a developer gets the backing of a firm that can handle projects of any size, risk, or complexity across more geographies than anyone else.

Industry Focus & Services: CBRE’s owner representation services cover all major sectors: office, retail, industrial, data centers, healthcare, education, and more. They tailor their approach depending on client needs, from acting as a Project Management Office (PMO) for corporate clients managing multiple projects, to providing dedicated project managers for a one-time development. Key services include project planning and feasibility, budget and schedule development, procurement management, construction oversight, and move coordination. CBRE often combines these with cost consultancy via Turner & Townsend to ensure robust cost control. The emphasis is on delivering projects seamlessly by managing all aspects—from design review and contractor selection to final commissioning and occupancy—in an integrated manner.

4. AECOM

AECOM is an American multinational engineering and infrastructure consulting firm with over 50,000 employees worldwide and a Fortune 500 ranking. Known for designing and managing some of the world’s most complex projects, AECOM provides professional services throughout the project lifecycle. AECOM often serves as a Program Manager or Construction Manager for large capital projects, effectively acting as the owner’s representative on mega-projects (especially in infrastructure and public sector). AECOM brings a very technical, engineering-driven perspective to project management, which is invaluable for complex developments.

Industry Focus & Services: AECOM’s sweet spot is large-scale infrastructure and public projects—think airports, transit systems, government buildings, and major commercial developments. Their services include early advisory and feasibility studies, design management (leveraging their in-house architects/engineers to review or even produce designs), procurement support, and full construction phase management. Uniquely, AECOM often integrates sustainability and community impact goals into project management, for example ensuring a project meets carbon reduction targets or delivers social value. They are used to handling multi-billion dollar programs with multiple projects running concurrently. Additionally, AECOM can provide owner’s engineering services, acting as the technical advisor checking that the design and construction meet specifications (especially helpful in complex civil projects).

5. Cumming Group

Cumming Group is a U.S.-based private consulting firm specializing in project management and cost consulting. Founded in 1996, Cumming has grown into an international firm with over 1,500 staff and offices worldwide. Cumming’s core strength lies in providing highly customized and creative solutions. Many in the industry know Cumming for its cost estimating excellence, which it pairs with project management to give owners a strong handle on both scope and cost.

Industry Focus & Services: Cumming’s primary market sectors include education (K-12 schools and higher ed), healthcare facilities, hospitality (hotels and resorts), and themed entertainment (e.g., theme parks). They also do work in commercial and government sectors, but their reputation in those four niches stands out. As an owner’s rep, Cumming offers comprehensive program, project, and construction management services. They also have specialized cost management and estimating teams, which means owners get very detailed budget oversight and value engineering options. Additionally, Cumming provides project controls, scheduling, dispute resolution, and sustainability consulting as part of their service menu. The firm prides itself on tailoring its approach to each client’s needs, rather than utilizing a one-size-fits-all method.

6. Vanir Construction Management, Inc.

Vanir is a minority- and woman-owned program management and owner’s representation firm founded in 1964 and based in California. Over a legacy spanning nearly 60 years, Vanir has established itself as a national leader in program, project, and construction management, as well as real estate development services. Vanir is widely recognized for its work in the public sector, managing projects for education, healthcare, justice, and government clients. The company has delivered over $30.8 billion in construction value to hundreds of clients nationwide, all while consistently being ranked as a top PMCM firm by Engineering News-Record for over three decades.

Industry Focus & Services: Vanir’s markets are diverse, covering education, healthcare, justice facilities, state and local government buildings, transportation, water/wastewater infrastructure, energy, and even commercial/non-profit projects. They often act as the overall program manager for large public building campaigns. Vanir also has expertise in real estate development advisory, which means they can assist owners in early development planning or public-private partnership structuring. A hallmark of Vanir’s service is careful attention to process and detail. They implement rigorous controls and reporting for schedule and budget (which public clients appreciate for accountability). Vanir’s approach is often collaborative, working as an extension of the client’s staff, and some public agencies effectively outsource their construction management function to Vanir’s team for major projects.

7. Anser Advisory

Anser Advisory specializes in consulting for infrastructure projects and public sector programs, offering services in owner’s representation, compliance, and program management. Founded in the 2010s, Anser has rapidly established itself as a go-to firm for owners needing comprehensive project advisory. Since being acquired by Accenture in 2023, Anser combines that project expertise with the resources of a global consulting giant.

Industry Focus & Services: Anser’s focus is on infrastructure, transportation, energy, and large public capital projects. They often serve as the Owner’s Authorized Representative or program manager on projects like transit lines, airports, water systems, utility upgrades, and municipal building programs. Anser’s services span the entire project lifecycle, from strategic advisory during project initiation through on-the-ground management. They also provide specialized compliance monitoring, ensuring that contractors meet federal grant requirements or other regulations. A key aspect of their service is acting as the owner’s advocate in technical matters, such as how to optimize design for cost/schedule or how to sequence construction to minimize disruption. Anser also has expertise in modernizing infrastructure toward decarbonization and sustainability goals. They help clients advance clean energy projects, grid upgrades, and EV fleet infrastructure by providing program management in those specialized areas.

8. Kitchell

Headquartered in Phoenix, Kitchell operates both as a general contractor and as a leading owner’s representative and program manager. Kitchell’s Construction Management division acts as an owner’s rep for projects across a wide range of market sectors. With over 70 years in the industry, Kitchell has a strong legacy of delivering projects and was an early pioneer in collaborative delivery methods like CM at Risk and design-build. Today, Kitchell is respected for representing owners’ interests in complex projects, with a focus on the U.S. West and expanding nationally.

Industry Focus & Services: Kitchell has particular expertise in healthcare, frequently ranked among the top builders in the sector, know-how they extend to managing healthcare projects for owners. Other sectors include education, civic projects, corrections, hospitality, and corporate facilities. Kitchell’s services as an owner’s rep include tasks such as conceptual budgeting and scheduling, value engineering during design, contractor procurement (they can run bid processes or RFPs), on-site construction supervision, and move-in coordination. Because Kitchell also has a contracting arm, their owner’s rep team brings a builder’s perspective to advisory. One unique offering: Kitchell can embed project staff on the owner’s team—for example, providing an interim project executive to a hospital’s facilities department to manage a big expansion. They are also adept with alternative delivery. If an owner chooses design-build or IPD (Integrated Project Delivery), Kitchell can help the owner navigate those processes effectively.

These eight firms represent the cream of the crop in owner’s representation services in the U.S. Each brings a unique strength, from Advastar’s all-phase expertise and client focus to AECOM’s mega-project muscle to Kitchell’s hands-on technical prowess. While it’s always wise to interview and vet a firm’s experience relative to your specific project, you truly can’t go wrong with the eight listed here.

Why Owners Representation Services Are Valuable

If you’re wondering why you should invest in an owner’s representation service, consider the following benefits:

• Expertise and Oversight: An owner’s rep brings deep construction expertise to the table. They are often veterans of project management who know the intricacies of planning, design, procurement, and construction. With this know-how, they can monitor schedules, foresee challenges, navigate permitting and technical issues, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions to keep the project on track.
• Cost & Schedule Control: An owner’s rep helps you establish a realistic budget, vet contractor bids, and then closely track expenses and change orders to avoid overruns and catch unnecessary expenditures early. They’ll also manage the master schedule, coordinating all moving parts to hit milestones on time. In short, they maximize your investment by keeping costs in check and timelines tight.
• Central Communication Hub: Construction projects involve a web of stakeholders: developers, investors, architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and more. The owner’s rep serves as the central point of contact, facilitating clear, continuous communication and collaboration among everyone involved. They convey the owner’s priorities to the team and bring back honest, accurate updates from the field. By keeping information flowing, the owner’s rep helps prevent miscommunication and resolve issues quickly.
• Risk Management & Quality Assurance: A top-notch owner’s representative identifies potential risks or conflicts early and resolves them before they escalate. They also keep an eye on work quality and safety, often conducting site walks and quality checks to ensure the project is being built to spec. Essentially, they are your eyes and ears on the ground, making sure the finished product meets your expectations.

In short, an owner’s representative gives you peace of mind. They shoulder the day-to-day burdens of project management and problem-solving, acting as your advocate at every step. Having that expert ally means you can focus on your primary business while still knowing your project is in capable hands. Many institutions with limited construction staff—like corporations, universities, and hospitals—hire owner’s reps because their internal teams lack the bandwidth to handle multiple vendors, complex budgets and pressing milestones over years-long projects. Partnering with professionals ensures on-time, on-budget delivery.

Key Traits of Top-Tier Owner’s Rep Firms

Not all owner’s representation providers are equal. The best owner’s rep firms possess a few key traits:

• Deep Industry Expertise: Nothing beats the “been there, done that” factor. The top firms have years (often decades) of experience managing projects. Seasoned reps draw on past projects to quickly spot red flags, whether it’s a design detail that caused issues before or a contractor that needs extra supervision. When evaluating firms, ask about their track record in your project’s sector. A strong firm will be able to point to similar successful projects, showing they understand the unique challenges and how to overcome them.
• Attention to Detail and Organization: Construction projects involve thousands of moving pieces and details. Owner’s reps track submittals, RFI responses, change orders, and budget line items to catch discrepancies or omissions that could later become big problems. Their meticulousness in contract review, budget management, and schedule adherence keeps the project tightly controlled.
• Strong Leadership and Team Coordination: In essence, the owner’s rep should act as the quarterback of the project team—they direct the play so that all players work together smoothly. Top owner’s reps don’t shy away from calling out issues, but they do so in a collaborative manner that keeps the team unified. Look for firms that demonstrate excellent team management, including the ability to motivate project teams, resolve conflicts, and make tough decisions when needed.
• Clear and Proactive Communicators: Owner’s rep firms keep the owner well-informed with clear, timely, and transparent updates and reports. They also facilitate communication among the project team, establishing communication protocols and stepping in to clarify miscommunications. Moreover, they are proactive communicators: if they foresee a potential delay or cost issue, they will alert you immediately along with proposed solutions, rather than hiding bad news. An owner’s rep who communicates poorly is a non-starter. You need to trust that they will effectively serve as both your voice and ears.
• Problem-Solving and Risk Management Skills: The best firms have systems to identify risks early and strategies ready to mitigate those risks. When unexpected problems do arise, they respond swiftly. Whether it’s a permitting snag, an unforeseen site condition, or a contractor performance issue, a great owner’s rep will find a solution that minimizes impact on the project. When interviewing firms, pose hypothetical scenarios to gauge their problem-solving approach. Experienced reps will cite analogous past issues and how they resolved them.
• Client-Focused and Trustworthy: Finally, a top owner’s rep firm puts their client’s goals above all else. They should demonstrate that they internalize your objectives and will advocate for them tirelessly. Look for a firm that is willing to speak up on your behalf even if it means pushing back on a famous architect or a large contractor. Integrity and transparency are key traits here—you need to trust the firm to give you honest advice and act ethically in managing funds and decisions.

FAQ: Owner’s Representation Services for Developers

When should I hire an owner’s rep—at what stage of my development project?
Ideally, as early as possible. It’s best to bring in an owner’s representative during the planning or pre-design phase of a project, before key decisions are made. Early involvement allows the OR to help with project setup and assist in selecting the design team and contractors, which can prevent issues later. Hiring an owner’s rep after construction has begun is still possible (and better late than never if you realize you need help), but you may miss out on the upfront value they add.

How is an owner’s rep different from a construction manager or general contractor?
The owner’s rep’s role is to oversee and coordinate, focusing on big-picture success and risk management. The owner’s rep does not perform any actual construction work, whereas a general contractor (GC) is hired to physically build the project.

A construction manager can mean different things. If it’s a “CM as agent,” that’s essentially an owner’s rep by another name (no construction duties, just management). If it’s “CM at risk,” that firm is acting like the GC, holding the trade contracts and constructing the project. In summary, the owner’s rep is your representative and project manager, while the GC/CM-at-risk is the builder executing the work.

What are the typical fees or cost structure for owner’s rep services?
The most common fee structure is a monthly flat fee or hourly rate, often correlated with your project size and complexity. As a rough range, owner’s rep fees might be around 2% to 5% of the total project cost, but it varies. Simpler projects could be on the lower end or a negotiated lump sum. Large programs might be negotiated with a sliding scale or incentive structure (e.g., bonuses for meeting budget targets). Some firms will work on an hourly basis especially for shorter engagements or consulting during specific phases. Always clarify the fee structure upfront, as well as what’s included (e.g., site visits, reporting, etc.).

How do I choose the right owner’s rep firm for my project?
Choosing the right owner’s rep comes down to experience, expertise, and fit. Look for firms with a proven track record in projects of a similar type, size, complexity, and industry to yours. Talking to past clients can give you insights into the firm’s performance and client service.

Before you commit to a firm, schedule an initial meeting and note how well they communicate during it. Compatibility is key—you’ll work closely with them, so choose a team you trust and feel comfortable with. Firm size can matter here, as well. Larger firms (like JLL or CBRE) have huge resources and systems, but a smaller specialized firm might give you more personal attention.

Lastly, compare fees weighed against services offered and value delivered. The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best. It’s often worth paying a bit more for a highly qualified firm that will safeguard your multi-million dollar investment. By doing this due diligence, you’ll find an owner’s rep that is a true partner in your project’s success.