Delaware County ranks among the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, driven by its strategic position just north of Columbus and connection to the 11-county Columbus Region. The county has added approximately 30,000 residents in recent years, creating sustained demand for commercial, retail, and residential development. Ohio Steel Industries is creating 52 new jobs through an expansion, while the regional economy benefits from proximity to Intel's $28 billion semiconductor facility in New Albany, which will generate thousands of jobs across its ecosystem.
This growth creates a fundamental challenge: housing inventory, both owner-occupied and rental, does not meet current demand. The Building Industry Association indicates that permitting activity needs to approximately double from recent trends to meet projected housing need over the next decade. This pressure extends to commercial construction, where business owners planning expansions or new facilities compete for contractors, subcontractors, and materials in an increasingly tight market.
Whether you're developing commercial property along the US-23 corridor, expanding a corporate facility, or constructing multi-family housing to meet regional demand, Delaware projects require experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that the opportunities of this growth moment don't translate into budget overruns and schedule delays when contractors are stretched thin.
An Owner's Representative is the only party on a construction project with a fiduciary-style commitment to the owner's interests. In the traditional "triangle" of construction, the Architect focuses on design intent and code compliance, while the General Contractor focuses on means, methods, and their own profitability. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum where the owner's budget and schedule go unprotected.
DeVore Consulting fills this void. We work exclusively for you, attending every critical meeting, reviewing every pay application, and scrutinizing every change order. In a competitive market like Delaware County, having an experienced advocate ensures your project receives the attention it deserves even when contractors are juggling multiple opportunities.
Growth markets reward decisive action but punish poor planning. Our approach balances speed with discipline.
We never hold trade contracts or self-perform work. Our recommendations are based solely on what serves your interest, not what improves our margin. When we flag a problematic change order, it's because it affects your bottom line.
In a growth market where costs are rising, every dollar matters. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor overreach, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.
We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most Delaware County commercial development occurs. These projects need professional oversight but often don't attract the attention of firms focused on mega-developments.
Our expertise spans the project types driving Delaware County's growth:
New construction and tenant improvements serving the expanding population along major corridors and in the historic downtown core.
Professional office construction for businesses relocating to or expanding within Delaware County's growth corridor.
Apartment and housing developments meeting demand from the expanding workforce, requiring careful infrastructure coordination.
Warehouse and distribution facilities capitalizing on the region's central location and transportation access.
We serve the Central Ohio corridor including Marysville, Marion, and Mount Gilead.
In a growth market, timing is everything. The ideal time to engage DeVore Consulting is during site selection and pre-construction planning, before you've committed to land or locked in designs. We provide Fatal Flaw Analysis that evaluates infrastructure availability, zoning constraints, and site conditions. In a market where utility capacity and road access can make or break a project, this early insight is invaluable.
If your Delaware project is already in motion, we can still add value through rigorous contractor oversight and change order management. But the earlier we're involved, the more problems we can prevent.
Contact DeVore Consulting to discuss your Delaware project.
We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.
These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
Housing inventory does not meet current demand in Delaware County, creating opportunities for multi-family development. However, these projects require careful infrastructure coordination, entitlement navigation, and construction management to stay on schedule and budget. We ensure that site development, utility coordination, and contractor management align to deliver units that meet market demand within your financial parameters.
Intel's $28 billion semiconductor facility in nearby New Albany creates ripple effects throughout the Columbus region, including Delaware County. The project will generate thousands of jobs and attract supplier development, increasing demand for commercial construction. Contractors and trades balance opportunities across the region. We help mid-market projects compete for contractor attention through professional organization and effective project management.
Delaware County's position as one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties means contractors and subcontractors are in constant demand. Projects compete for resources in a seller's market, which can lead to longer lead times and competitive pricing. An Owner's Representative helps you present well-organized projects that attract quality contractors and builds realistic timelines that account for market conditions.
Rapid growth has put pressure on utility infrastructure, particularly water, sewer, and electrical capacity. Some developing areas require utility extensions that can add significant time and cost to projects. The Building Industry Association notes that permitting activity needs to approximately double to meet projected demand. We conduct Fatal Flaw Analysis early in planning to identify infrastructure constraints before you commit to a site.
Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.
Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.
Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.
Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.
Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .
Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.
This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.
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