Essential Construction Knowledge for Project Owners
Navigating Fire Rebuilds
Wildfires leave behind more than physical damage—they leave owners facing permitting delays, insurance disputes, and construction cost uncertainty. Many owners assume their insurer or GC will “take care of it,” only to discover millions in uncovered scope or untracked overruns.
The key to navigating a fire rebuild is early control of documentation and scope. Insurance adjusters focus on replacement value, not the true cost of building a custom home.
Local municipalities often add new codes that were not part of the original house, which can add 20–30% to the budget. Owners who don’t clarify these items up front often find themselves funding massive gaps out of pocket.
Owner Navigator provides checklists and templates to ensure insurance scope aligns with actual construction costs.
By securing clarity before signing contracts, owners preserve leverage and avoid being cornered mid-project.
Project Financing
Even owners with substantial wealth can underestimate the financing complexity of custom estates. It’s not just about writing a check—banks, insurers, and tax advisors all play a role in how the project is funded and protected.
Common pitfalls include:
* Underestimating cash draw schedules, leading to liquidity crunches.
* Not structuring financing to account for change orders.
* Missing opportunities to optimize interest expense or tax deductions.
For a $20M estate, a poorly structured financing plan can add $1M+ in unnecessary costs over the life of the project. Owners who take the time to align loan terms, equity contributions, and insurance proceeds gain predictability and flexibility.
Owner Navigator equips you with financing models, cost trackers, and lender communication tools to ensure your project stays funded without hidden financial stress.
Risk Mitigation
High-end construction projects carry enormous risk: scope creep, contractor claims, design errors, and scheduling delays can escalate costs by 10–30%. Most owners don’t discover the risks until it’s too late.
Risk mitigation starts with contracts and visibility. Owners who sign vague GC agreements or fail to define change order procedures effectively hand over a blank check.
A proven approach:
1. Define contract terms that cap exposure.
2. Implement monthly cost variance reports.
3. Create clear dispute resolution pathways before problems arise.
On a $15M estate, this level of risk management can preserve $2–3M of owner equity. Owner Navigator translates these strategies into actionable templates and guidance so you don’t just hope for the best—you control the outcome.
Owner Insights & Guides
Solving Complexity with Consulting Clarity
From pre-construction planning to project recovery, our consulting services provide guidance when the stakes are high.
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