Hamilton is in the midst of a remarkable urban transformation. Once a manufacturing powerhouse that lost its economic anchor, the city has reinvented itself through strategic downtown revitalization. The Marcum mixed-use development, Rossville Flats, and the ongoing restoration of the historic Manchester Inn demonstrate what happens when vision meets execution. The Butler County Finance Authority recently achieved certification as a Community Development Entity, unlocking new federal tools to channel capital into transformative projects throughout Butler County.
This momentum creates both opportunity and complexity for business owners. The $33 million Champion Mill Conference and Events Center project, a collaboration between the city, Butler County Port Authority, and Visitor's Bureau, will transform part of the old Champion Paper Mill complex. Meanwhile, Butler Tech is renovating its adult manufacturing training programs with $200,000 in state support. When significant public and private investment flows into a market simultaneously, the contractor pool tightens and project coordination becomes more challenging.
Whether you're developing commercial property downtown, expanding a manufacturing facility, or renovating a historic structure to take advantage of available incentives, Hamilton projects require disciplined oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that your project captures the benefits of this renaissance without falling victim to the stretched resources that often accompany rapid redevelopment.
Every construction project involves three core parties: the Architect, focused on design and code compliance; the General Contractor, focused on means, methods, and their own profitability; and the Owner, who funds everything but often lacks the technical expertise to protect their investment. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum, a gap where no one is truly accountable for the owner's budget and schedule.
DeVore Consulting fills this vacuum. We work exclusively for you, never holding trade contracts or self-performing work. Our role is to translate your business objectives into construction outcomes, providing a single point of accountability from pre-design planning through project closeout.
We bring a process-driven methodology to navigating Hamilton's dynamic development environment.
In a revitalizing market where incentives and tax credits can offset costs, financial discipline is essential. We track budgets meticulously, verify pay applications against work in place, and ensure that projects qualifying for incentive programs maintain proper documentation throughout construction.
Projects in the $500K to $50M range are our specialty. These are often too complex for business owners to oversee part-time but may not attract the attention of national firms focused on larger metropolitan markets.
We never build; we only manage. This means our advice is never influenced by a desire to self-perform work or protect a margin. When we identify a problem, it's because it affects your outcome.
We support the full range of commercial construction activity in Butler County:
Converting downtown buildings into modern commercial or mixed-use spaces while navigating historic preservation requirements and maximizing available tax incentives.
Assisting manufacturers throughout Butler County with facility expansions and equipment installations that must proceed without disrupting operations.
Providing budget protection for new construction and renovation projects serving the growing regional economy.
Supporting projects that combine residential, retail, and commercial uses in Hamilton's evolving downtown core.
We serve communities throughout Southwest Ohio including Lebanon, Batavia, and the greater Cincinnati region.
The greatest value we provide comes from early engagement, before you've committed to a property or finalized designs. Our Fatal Flaw Analysis investigates infrastructure capacity, zoning constraints, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away. For projects pursuing historic tax credits or other incentives, early planning ensures your project meets program requirements from day one.
If your Hamilton project is already underway and facing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability. But prevention is always more cost-effective than cure.
Reach out to explore how independent oversight can protect your Hamilton investment.
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.
Historic buildings often conceal outdated electrical systems, compromised structural elements, environmental remediation needs, and utility connections that don't match recorded plans. These conditions typically emerge once demolition begins. We recommend budgeting a contingency of 15-20% for historic renovations and conducting thorough pre-construction investigations to reduce surprises that would otherwise translate into costly change orders.
The Butler County Finance Authority recently achieved certification as a Community Development Entity, enabling access to federal New Markets Tax Credits and other investment tools for transformative projects. This designation can channel capital into revitalization and workforce development initiatives. We help clients understand how these programs might apply to their projects and ensure construction meets program documentation requirements.
Hamilton's revitalization success has attracted significant development activity, creating competition for contractors experienced in historic renovation and mixed-use development. Projects like The Marcum, Rossville Flats, and the Champion Mill Conference Center absorb contractor capacity. We help you identify contractors with availability and the right experience, and structure projects to compete effectively for quality subcontractors.
Historic tax credits can significantly offset renovation costs for qualifying downtown buildings, but they require specific documentation and adherence to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards throughout construction. Changes during construction must be approved to maintain credit eligibility. We coordinate with your design team and tax credit consultants to ensure construction work meets program requirements from day one.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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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