Millner5220 said:
I have a unique opportunity to join an owners rep firm, and want to chat with some folks who have navigated the switch from GC role.
I'm current a project director at an ENR top 30 GC firm, enjoy my work, wasn't looking but this appears too good to at least try it.
I've been on both sides.
The owner rep role is completely different than being a contractor, and ultimately it wasn't for me. When I first took the role it was something i needed and enjoyed because I went from a stress level of about 100 to about 1. After a while though, the lack of that stress and the lack of really having issues to deal with, problems to solve, milestones to reach, etc. made me go kind of stir crazy.
I look at it as something I'd do after I retire and need something to keep me busy for stretches, but not something I enjoyed long term after doing it for a while. Pace was too slow, you really aren't doing much and depending on the owner, you may end up being nothing more than a paper pusher liason between the owner and the contractor.
Some owners understand the role well and delegate a lot of authority and responsibility to you, others don't.
Unless you are really looking to make a change, at the end of your career or are doing something like spending most of the time on the road and want to get back home I'd say no. But that's me based on my experience and my personality type. I needed more of the day to day grind. I know a few folks that love the role and it is a good fit for their personality type.
If you want to talk more, shoot me an email at schmellba at yahoo.com. I can be more specific about my industry, role, pros, cons, etc.
