Garrard Development is where you begin. We come before all the other service providers because the initial planning and due diligence is essential to coordinating the overall project and maintaining cost control throughout. Our understanding of the project and establishment of the process sets up architects, engineers and GC’s for success, because we’ve taken all the planning pieces and delivered them in the language and format these vendors need in order to take action and be successful. So don’t try to time it perfectly . . . it’s better for Garrard to be introduced two months too early than even a single day too late.

Watch Clients Answering Related Questions

Gray Lindsey: What is the best way to start a project? (1:44)

Rob Kincheloe: What is the most logical first step when starting a construction project? (1:03)

Gray Lindsey: What is the very first step when starting a project? (0:43)

Deane Stokes: When in the process should I engage Garrard and why? (0:53)

Deane Stokes: What clients don’t know can hurt them (0:57)

Dr. Aman Kakkar: When did you realize you would need help? (0:46)

GC’s provide an essential service to the construction project, but they are just one ingredient in a large and complex recipe of services. Good project management includes identifying the best general contractors and establishing the proper timeline to involve them, and GC’s are not typically required until the end of project planning.

• Owners need to engage only the GC’s that are right for their project, not just the one that was referred by a friend or banker.

• Owners need to competitively evaluate them by price, skillset and availability, but this requires intense industry knowledge and the experience to recognize when a GC is not the right fit.

• And owners definitely want a way to hold GC’s and their subs accountable throughout the process or the quality of the building will suffer, and the costs will increase due to unchecked change orders.

Garrard’s project management provides this expertise and overwatch to owners so they can focus on their business and be assured their building is the best it can be at the best possible price.

Watch Clients Answering Related Questions

Gray Lindsey: Why didn’t you start you start your project with an architect or GC? (1:04)

Rob Kincheloe: Why shouldn’t I start with an architect? (1:03)

Deane Stokes: Why shouldn’t I just start with an architect or general contractor? (0:44)

Deane Stokes: What is your experience with clients who engage an architect first? (0:57)

Rob Kincheloe: Why didn’t you go straight to a general contractor? (0:35)

Rob Kincheloe: Why is it so important for owners to have their own representatives? (1:07)

• Garrard’s early involvement with your client increases their ability to close. From assessing their site’s feasibility to establishing a reliable budget you can leverage in your term sheet, many lenders consider our involvement as a credit enhancement.

• The bank will still leverage their own draw inspectors, but our deep knowledge of the project and required materials ensures contractors are not over-drawing at any point during the project. Garrard acts as that first line of draw defense to ensure absolute accuracy, which your inspector can benefit from. Draw leakage means contractors get more than they’ve earned, which reduces owners’ valuable leverage.

• Our comprehensive understanding of the project means we minimize scope creep and unexpected expenses. We also drive accountability across all the service providers so change orders are held in check.

• Clients have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a lender, so the way to truly differentiate your offering is to provide real business solutions. Introducing Garrard to your clients is a differentiator, and establishes you as a partner who understands that they need a solution more than just a loan.

Every project presents countless opportunities for failures, mistakes, and exploitation. As the owner’s representative, Garrard provides constant overwatch so that costs are controlled and vendors adhere to their contractual obligations.

Watch Clients Answering Related Questions

Rob Kincheloe: How did Garrard Development protect you in a lawsuit? (1:34)

Rob Kincheloe: What’s the risk if clients don’t have expert representation? (1:07)

Garrard’s involvement saves owners money, time and risk . . . period. The metrics across our 20+ year history of projects proves that owners typically earn back a multiple of our fee. It’s like paying $1 to get back $5, so think of us a net-neutral at worst, and a measurable savings as typical. Our clients will say they will assuredly pay more if they don’t include us on their project, which is why we have so many repeat customers. Lenders appreciate our detailed cost control and are often pleasantly surprised when the contingency is not fully utilized.

Watch Clients Answering Related Questions

Gray Lindsey: Were you concerned about adding cost with Garrard’s services? (0:58)

Gray Lindsey: Why is it so important to have a construction manager driving a project? (0:59)

Gray Lindsey: Describe the value Garrard had on your project (1:23)

Gray Lindsey: What is the impact and value to your time? (1:23)

Deane Stokes: Can you give an example of something Garrard caught that created real value? (0:59)

Deane Stokes: Describe the value your clients experience by using Garrard (0:34)

Dr. Scott Beach: What was Garrard’s value to your project? (0:54)

Dr. Aman Kakkar: Is a partnership with Garrard Development expensive? (0:47)

Dr. Aman Kakkar: Describe Garrard’s value contribution to your project (0:49)

As the owner’s representative, Garrard Development is hired by the owner (not the bank) and receives a monthly flat fee for the duration of the project. Since every project is different, our fee amount varies based on the time and resources required to complete the project. We do not receive a percentage of the overall project cost, since that would incent the wrong behavior. A flat fee guarantees we are driven by the same goals as the owner and lender.

Yes! We can provide draw inspection services for banks, but only if we’re not already representing an owner on their building project. We don’t represent the owner and the bank on the same project. Please contact us to learn how Garrard Development can serve as your draw inspector.

No, these are separate companies entirely. Garrard Construction Group is a general contractor in metro Atlanta, whereas Garrard Development is a commercial construction management company providing project management services to owners. Yes, it’s a little confusing (sorry!), but thanks for asking and for understanding that our company is not affiliated with theirs.