Two ways to bring an advocate onto your project
When a homeowner enters a renovation, they often don't know what they don't know. The architect focuses on design. The contractor focuses on execution. Nobody is paid to take the overarching view, manage the risk across all of them, and protect your investment. That's where we come in.
We work for you. Only you.
Every other stakeholder on a renovation — your architect, your GC, your contractors — is paid by their scope of work, not by your project's outcome. We're the exception.
Design Phase Advocacy
Best for: homeowners just buying or starting a renovation who want an independent advocate before construction
An independent advocate before construction starts. We catch what your architect misses — the budget reality, the regulatory triggers, the vendor conflicts — before they cost you six figures. Our flagship engagement and the right place to start.
How it works
Phase 1
Day-Zero Diagnostic
Weeks 1–2
- Market-tested budget range
- Code & regulation trigger map
- Site constraint analysis
- Vendor strategy
- Conflict-of-interest watchlist
- 30-day action plan
Phase 2
Schematic Review
Weeks 3–5
- Independent design review
- Budget pressure-test
- Re-run trigger map
- Redlined drawings
- Working session
Phase 3
Pre-Construction Handoff
Weeks 6–10
- Design development review
- Vetted GC shortlist
- Bid coordination
- Contract review
- Optional handoff to Owner Rep
Who it's for
- You just bought (or are about to buy) an older home in Westchester
- You're planning a $250K–$1M renovation
- You haven't done a substantial renovation before
- You want someone independent on your side before you commit
What's not included
- Architectural design — we don't replace your architect
- Construction management — that's Owner Rep
- Permit filing — your architect or GC files; we advise
- Material procurement
Owner Representation
Best for: homeowners ready to break ground who want full advocacy through construction
Full advocacy through construction. We're with you from break-ground to final walkthrough — managing vendors, reviewing change orders, and making sure your interests stay protected when things get complicated. Continues seamlessly from a Design Phase Advocacy engagement.
What's included
- Continuous remote and on-site project oversight
- Vendor management — architect, GC, subs, suppliers
- Change-order review and negotiation
- Permit, code, and inspection strategy
- Energy and risk-mitigation guidance
- Independent dispute support
- Weekly written progress reports
- Final walkthrough and punch-list management
When it pays for itself
- Catching one inflated change order — typical project sees 5–15
- Avoiding a single rework cycle from a missed code requirement
- Negotiating realistic timelines that hold
- Surfacing one vendor conflict-of-interest before it costs you
- Keeping total cost within 15% of budget — vs. industry norm of 25–40% overruns
Frequently asked questions
Why do you charge me instead of the contractors or architects?
Because if vendors paid us, we couldn't credibly advocate for you. Every other stakeholder on a renovation has structural incentives that aren't aligned with your outcome — architects want bigger scope, GCs want bigger contracts, lenders want bigger loans. We exist to be the one party whose only obligation is to you. That's not possible if anyone else is paying us.
Are you architects? GCs?
No. We don't design buildings and we don't build them. We're an independent owner's representative — the role used in commercial and institutional construction for decades, now built for residential homeowners and powered by AI tooling. Your architect and GC stay in their roles. We sit on your side of the table and look out for your interests across all of them.
Can we use you if we already have an architect?
Yes — and ideally before you've signed your construction contract. The earlier we engage, the more we can catch and reshape. If you're mid-design, we plug in for the remaining schematic and design development phases. If you're already at construction documents, we can still add real value at the bidding and contracting stage and into construction itself.
What if our project isn't in Westchester?
We're currently focused on northern Westchester (Chappaqua, Pleasantville, Armonk, Mount Kisco, Briarcliff). We're expanding to lower Westchester and Fairfield County, CT in 2026. If you're outside our current service area, get in touch — we're considering exceptions case by case and can recommend resources in the meantime.
What if we're considering buying a house and want to underwrite the renovation before we close?
This is one of the highest-value moments to engage. We'll assess realistic project cost, lot constraints, regulatory triggers, and timeline before you sign the contract — so you walk into the closing with clear numbers instead of optimism. Talk to us early.
What if we're not sure exactly what we want to renovate?
That's actually the best moment to engage. Our Day-Zero Diagnostic is built to help you pressure-test your scope before you commit to it — including the harder question of whether the scope you have in mind is the right one for your house, your lot, and your budget.
Tell us about your project
We'll respond within one business day with a clear sense of whether Design Phase Advocacy or Owner Representation is the right fit — or if you don't need us at all. No commitment, no sales pitch.
Get in touch