Historic downtown and Ohio River industrial development in Marietta, Ohio

Protecting Your Investment at Ohio's Historic Gateway

Why Marietta Projects Need Independent Oversight

Marietta, Ohio's first permanent settlement, has evolved into a regional hub for manufacturing, healthcare, and energy production. Washington County hosts over 200 manufacturers, creating a diverse industrial base that includes petrochemicals, plastics, metals, and machinery. Memorial Health System serves as a major employer, while Marietta College and Washington State Community College provide workforce development and talent.

The Washington County Community Improvement Corporation and Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau actively promote economic development and tourism. The county benefits from Ohio River access, CSX rail service, and proximity to natural gas and petrochemical resources. The Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce supports regional business growth while preserving Marietta's historic character and quality of life.

Whether you're expanding manufacturing facilities along the Ohio River, developing commercial property in the historic downtown, or constructing healthcare or educational facilities, Marietta projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that infrastructure complexity doesn'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.

Our Approach to Protecting Your Investment

We bring disciplined methodology to manufacturing and commercial projects in Washington County.

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.

Financial Rigor

Industrial projects with river and rail access demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed and analyze change orders rigorously.

Mid-Market Focus

We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most Marietta commercial development occurs.

Projects We Support in Marietta

Our expertise spans the project types driving Washington County's diverse economy:

Industrial & Manufacturing

Facility expansions for petrochemical, plastics, and metals manufacturers with river and rail access.

Healthcare Facilities

Supporting Memorial Health System and healthcare providers with specialized construction meeting regulatory standards.

Commercial & Historic Renovation

Downtown development and historic building renovation preserving Marietta's character.

Educational & Institutional

Supporting Marietta College and Washington State Community College with campus development.

We serve communities throughout the Ohio River Valley including Pomeroy, Gallipolis, and Wheeling.

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 river access, rail connectivity, environmental considerations, and site conditions.

If your Marietta 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 Marietta 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 is the Ohio River Commission and how does it affect Marietta development?

The Ohio River Commission was passed into law with leadership from the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, creating a framework for regional river development. This may unlock new opportunities for riverfront and water-dependent industrial development. We help clients navigate the evolving regulatory and development landscape for river-access projects.

What infrastructure investment is supporting development in Washington County?

The $15 million Devola Sewer Project, the county's second-largest infrastructure project, will connect 565 homes and support future development. Additionally, $500,000 in grants support blighted property cleanup. This infrastructure investment creates conditions for commercial and industrial development. We help clients capitalize on improved infrastructure.

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.

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 .

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.

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 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.

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.

Connect

Consult an Expert

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.

Your request has been received. We'll respond shortly.
Error submitting form. Please try again later.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript