#386 - GRANT BOWEN, CEO & Founder of Peak Projects an Owner’s Representative Company
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by CEO & Founder of Peak Projects, Grant Bowen, to discuss how clients can have a successful project, Grant’s background; the role of an owner’s representative throughout design and construction; working with clients and different professionals; construction costs; fees; different project types; and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT GRANT
Grant has spent his entire professional career managing high-end residential projects for clients in North and Central America. He began his career at one of the Bay Area’s most prominent family offices, where orchestrating and protecting the interests of the principals was paramount. That experience featured Grant’s development of effective and efficient frameworks for establishing clear expectations, hiring the most capable team members, and facilitating exceptional communication and execution throughout the planning and building process. Grant then translated his experience, creativity, rigor, and service to the broader market by starting Peak Projects in 2014. Under his leadership, Peak has steadily grown, reflecting an expanding portfolio, while building a reputation as both an innovator in the industry and trusted advisor to exceptional projects globally.
A Michigan native, Grant earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University, where he pole vaulted on its NCAA Division I Track & Field team. Outside of Peak, Grant enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, boating and spending time with friends and family. He currently splits time between the Bay Area and Tahoe with his wife and three boys.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Introduction.
(07:54) Peak Projects.
“Traditionally, architects played the role [of the owner’s representative] and I think there can be conflicts sometimes, between the architect and the GC. I think it really makes sense to have someone in the owner’s seat just to mitigate any conflicts that the contractor might have of managing their own work or with the architect, project aesthetic and direction conflicts. Sometimes those can be at odds with the client and it's beneficial and nice to have a non-biased third party managing those folks on behalf of the client.” (18:26)
(26:35) The role of an owner’s representative.
(33:50) Client onboarding.
“The biggest blind spots for clients, are not really defining your goals properly at the beginning and not investing time to do that upfront. A lot of clients will acquire a property, ask a friend who they used, and call that architect and then get going. But I think it's really important to take your time to ponder what your goals are for the project. Is this the home for the next five years or is this a forever home? Do you want to have multiple family members and grandkids use it? Really understand what this is going to be. And then do your due diligence and obviously you can help with that.” (38:54)
(44:58) Role during the design process.
“It's awesome when everyone can get along and leverage everyone's expertise. So we’re being helpful and making sure the owner knows all the potential options they have so they can make the best informed decision.” (47:32)
(01:03:17) Fees.
“There's the close out or turnover phase and we're working feverishly with everyone at the end of a project to facilitate the completion of construction. We're commissioning the systems, training either the client or the client's team on how to operate the home. We're also ensuring that all the proper maintenance contracts and service items that need to happen after move in because once the project is done, it’s really not done. (01:07:13)
(01:11:05) Working with clients & other professionals.
(01:20:57) Construction costs.
(01:26:57) Advice for clients.
(01:30:02) Thoughts on the design build model.
(01:32:32) Becoming an owner’s representative.
“Any type of project type could require an owner's rep, commercial, health care, cultural, hospitality, historical and high-end residential. I think any client who's embarking on a complex project wants professional third party management, appreciates saving time and wants the project to be delivered in a textbook world class way.” (01:37:25)
(01:44:42) Favorite building.
