Owner's representative fees across the industry are commonly quoted as a small percentage of total construction cost — often somewhere in the low single digits — or as a monthly retainer. The right number depends on project size, complexity, duration and how much involvement you want.
The four common fee structures
| Structure | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of construction cost | Fee equals a percentage of the total construction budget; the percentage usually falls as projects get larger | Large, long projects |
| Monthly retainer | Fixed fee each month for a defined scope of oversight | Most residential and mid-size commercial projects |
| Fixed project or phase fee | One price for a defined phase, such as preconstruction and bidding | Owners who need help at a specific stage |
| Hourly | Billed for time spent | Short reviews, second opinions, disputes |
What drives the price
- Construction budget. Larger budgets mean more contracts, more pay applications and more change orders to review.
- Duration. A 14-month build needs more months of oversight than a 4-month renovation.
- Complexity. Custom design, occupied buildings, multiple prime contracts and tight sites all add effort.
- Phase you start in. Starting in design adds preconstruction work, but it is also where the biggest savings come from.
- Site visits. Constant on-site presence is the most expensive part of traditional owner's rep fees. A remote-first model limits visits to the moments that matter.
Does an owner's rep pay for itself?
A simple way to think about it: on a $1 million project, change orders and overruns of 10% are not unusual. That's $100,000. If independent review avoids or reduces even a fraction of that — through tighter bids, a better contract, and change orders that are actually checked — the fee is covered. Add the value of a schedule that holds and the math usually gets clearer.
The question isn't "What does an owner's rep cost?" It's "What does it cost me not to have one?"
How SiteLine prices
SiteLine doesn't publish a rate card, because two projects with the same budget can need very different levels of oversight. After a free consultation, you receive a written proposal with a fixed monthly or project fee, a clear list of what's included, and site visits — if any — quoted separately and billed at cost.
Related: What does an owner's representative do?
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