Commercial development along I-71 corridor and downtown Lebanon, Ohio in Warren County

Strategic Oversight in Ohio's Third Fastest-Growing County

Why Lebanon Projects Need Independent Oversight

Lebanon serves as the county seat of Warren County, Ohio's third fastest-growing county. The city announced a strategic partnership with Warren County commissioners to unlock economic investment opportunities, particularly along North Broadway. The county will transfer the 94-acre Fairgrounds property to the city, enabling coordinated planning that will energize downtown Lebanon while preserving agricultural heritage.

Located less than 35 miles from both Cincinnati and Dayton with immediate access to Interstate 71 and proximity to Interstate 75, Lebanon benefits from exceptional regional connectivity. The city began constructing a 10 MW solar array in 2023, expected to be operational in late 2024, demonstrating commitment to infrastructure investment. Lebanon's business-friendly environment has worked to preserve historic character while becoming a benchmark for technology and community development.

Whether you're developing commercial property along North Broadway, expanding a manufacturing facility, or constructing residential developments to serve the growing county population, Lebanon projects require experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that growth-market pressures don't compromise your budget and timeline.

What an Owner's Representative Does

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 growth market like Warren County, having an experienced advocate ensures your project receives professional attention.

Our Approach to Protecting Your Investment

Growth markets reward decisive action but punish poor planning. Our approach balances speed with discipline.

Conflict-Free Advocacy

We never hold trade contracts or self-perform work. Our recommendations are based solely on what serves your interest, not what improves our margin.

Mid-Market Focus

We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most Lebanon commercial development occurs. These projects need professional oversight but may not attract attention from Cincinnati-focused firms.

Financial Rigor

In a competitive market, 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.

Projects We Support in Lebanon

Our expertise spans the project types driving Warren County's growth:

Commercial & Retail Development

New construction and tenant improvements serving the expanding population along I-71 and in the historic downtown core.

Industrial & Manufacturing

Facility expansions for manufacturers capitalizing on Lebanon's logistics advantages and workforce access.

Multi-Family Residential

Apartment and housing developments meeting demand from the county's growing population.

Historic Downtown Renovation

Preserving Lebanon's character while modernizing buildings for contemporary commercial use.

We serve communities throughout Southwest Ohio including Hamilton, Wilmington, and Batavia.

The Right Time to Engage an Owner's Rep

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.

If your Lebanon 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 Lebanon project.

Services Overview

Services For Small Business Owners

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.

Black construction hard hat with scratches and a blue geometric elephant logo on the side.

FAQs

Is Your Project on Your Mind?

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.

What opportunities does the fairgrounds property transfer create for Lebanon development?

Warren County's transfer of the 94-acre Fairgrounds property to the City of Lebanon opens opportunities for coordinated development along North Broadway. City ownership enables access to state and federal grants, private investment, and comprehensive planning. Developers may find new opportunities as the area evolves. We help clients navigate emerging development possibilities.

How does Warren County's rapid growth affect the Lebanon contractor market?

As Ohio's third fastest-growing county, Warren County experiences sustained construction demand. Contractors balance projects across Lebanon, Mason, and other growing communities. An Owner's Representative helps you compete for quality contractor attention by presenting well-organized projects with clear scopes and realistic timelines.

Can I hire an owner's representative for a single phase of my construction project?

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.

Can I get a free consultation with an owner's representative firm?

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.

Are there owner's representative services that offer post-construction and facility management support?

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.

Are there owner's representative services available for small business construction projects?

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 .

What are the typical fees for owner's representative services in construction?

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.

Can an owner's representative help secure financing for a construction project?

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.

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