Owner Representative in Building Restoration vs. New Construction: What’s the Difference?

🔧 Façade restoration underway. Keeping your building safe, compliant, and looking its best takes more than patchwork—it takes planning, supervision, and representation.

What Does an Owner’s Rep Really Do?

If you’re planning a building project—whether it’s a restoration or new construction—you need someone who represents your interests from start to finish.

That’s the role of an Owner’s Representative in building restoration (Owner Rep). But their responsibilities can vary a lot depending on the type of project. Let’s explore the key differences.

Owner's representative building restoration

In restoration projects, owner reps deal with aging structures, code compliance, and unexpected conditions. Their role is to protect the property owner (or HOA) from delays, budget overruns, and code violations.

Key Responsibilities of owner's representative building restoration:

• Coordinate with engineers, inspectors, and contractors.

• Spot issues early (corrosion, cracking, non-compliant elements).

• Ensure repairs match technical scope and modern building codes.

• Manage permits, inspections, and progress reports.

• Communicate proactively with property owners and HOAs.

Real Example – Code Violation with Pool Deck Railings

Let’s say your condo is restoring its pool deck. The contractor removes the existing perimeter railing and plans to reinstall it after the concrete is poured.

But after the deck is restored, the existing railing no longer meets Florida’s required 42-inch minimum height. This could be due to:

• A slight increase in deck elevation.

• Old railings that were never code-compliant to begin with.

A qualified Owner Rep would identify this risk early and advise the owner before it's too late—avoiding a failed inspection, schedule delay, and additional cost.

Owner’s Representative in New Construction

In new construction, the Owner Rep is involved from day one—helping the owner manage the entire process from design to completion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in hiring architects and general contractors.

• Review budgets, drawings, permits, and schedules.

• Track progress, timelines, and budget compliance.

• Conduct site visits and ensure quality control.

• Manage the close-out and turnover process.

Comparison Table – Restoration vs. New Construction

	Restoration Owner Rep	New Construction Owner Rep
Type of work	Existing buildings, damage, aging materials	Ground-up new buildings
Main challenges	Code compliance, unforeseen conditions	Budget, timeline, execution
Stakeholders	Engineers, inspectors, HOA boards	Architects, developers, contractors
Focus	Prevent surprises, enforce safety & code	Deliver project as designed

Why Work with BRS?

At BRS, we specialize in owner representation for building restoration projects throughout South Florida. We know how to handle complex restoration jobs—from façade repairs and waterproofing to pool deck renovations and 30-year recertifications.

We understand building codes. We understand construction risks. And we’re here to protect your time, budget, and compliance from start to finish.

📞 Call us today at 954-281-9679📍 Serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and surrounding areas.