Independence is the third largest city in Northern Kentucky, strategically positioned with easy access to Interstate 275 and downtown Cincinnati. As one of Kenton County's two seats of government, Independence combines small-town character with metropolitan market access. The city's strong manufacturing sector produces automotive parts and consumer goods, while proximity to Cincinnati provides access to healthcare systems, a broader talent pool, and regional business resources.
Northern Kentucky faces significant housing development pressure. Regional studies indicate a need for approximately 6,650 new housing units over the next five years to support economic development, with particular demand for workforce housing. The city recently received $900,000 through Kenton County's Community Development Fund for property development and right-of-way improvements. The Kenton County Planning Commission is actively working through rezoning requests for residential and commercial development, reflecting sustained market interest.
Whether you're developing commercial property to serve the Cincinnati metro market, constructing multi-family housing to meet regional demand, or expanding a manufacturing facility, Independence projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that cross-border complexity and growth-market pressures don't compromise your project's budget and timeline.
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, 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 through project closeout.
We bring disciplined methodology to navigating Northern Kentucky's development environment.
In a growth market where costs are rising, 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.
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 flag a problem, it's because it affects your outcome.
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 attention from firms focused on larger Cincinnati metropolitan developments.
We support the project types driving Kenton County's growth:
New construction and tenant improvements serving the expanding population and capturing business from the broader Cincinnati metropolitan market.
Apartment and housing developments meeting demand from the regional workforce, requiring careful infrastructure coordination and entitlement navigation.
Facility expansions for manufacturers serving the automotive and consumer goods sectors that must proceed without disrupting production.
Medical offices and professional service buildings serving Northern Kentucky residents with quality and regulatory compliance.
We serve communities throughout Northern Kentucky including Burlington and Alexandria.
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 navigating Kentucky regulatory requirements, early planning prevents surprises.
If your Independence 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.
Schedule a consultation to ensure your Independence project starts on solid footing.
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.
Kentucky has different contractor licensing requirements, building codes, and regulatory frameworks than Ohio. Projects in Independence may involve contractors familiar with Ohio practices who need to adapt to Kentucky requirements. We ensure contractors understand and comply with Kentucky-specific regulations, preventing delays or compliance issues that could affect project schedule and cost.
Independence received $900,000 through Kenton County's Community Development Fund for property development and right-of-way improvements, with the city contributing matching funds. Projects focused on property development, renovation, site preparation, or infrastructure may align with these programs. We help clients understand how available funding might apply to their projects and ensure construction documentation meets program requirements.
Regional studies indicate Northern Kentucky needs approximately 6,650 new housing units over the next five years to support economic development, with particular demand for workforce housing. This creates multi-family development opportunities but also regulatory and infrastructure considerations. The Kenton County Planning Commission actively processes development applications. We help navigate entitlement requirements and ensure construction proceeds within approved parameters.
Independence offers access to the Cincinnati metropolitan market while maintaining small-town character and costs. Businesses can serve a larger population through regional reach while benefiting from Northern Kentucky's business environment. For construction projects, this proximity means access to contractors from both Kentucky and Ohio markets, though understanding cross-state requirements is important for project success.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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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