Building a luxury custom home is a dream for many, but managing the process can be a daunting task. From budgets to quality control, every step brings challenges that can quickly overwhelm even the most prepared homeowner.

In this episode of The Insider’s Guide to Custom Homes, host Rick Bell sits down with Tom Koulouris—a seasoned builder, Owner’s Representative, and professor at the University of Miami—to explore the indispensable role of an Owner’s Rep in high-end residential projects.

Both alumni of the University of Florida’s School of Building Construction, Rick and Tom share lessons from working together on a 37,000-square-foot estate in Southwest Ranches, Florida.

Tom’s decades of experience in both commercial and residential construction, combined with his passion for education, make him one of the most respected voices in the industry.

Together, they dive into how an Owner’s Rep manages budgets, ensures quality, and navigates complex processes—turning dream homes into reality.

Highlights & Takeaways

· What an Owner’s Representative is—and why every homeowner should consider one.

· How to align vision, budget, and execution without losing sight of priorities.

· Why clear communication between owners, architects, and contractors is non-negotiable.

· How their shared background at the UF School of Building Construction shaped their approach to collaboration.

· How Tom’s decades of experience shape his client-first, problem-solving approach.

· The importance of having an advocate who understands both the technical and human sides of construction.

Glossary of Terms

Owner’s Representative (Owner’s Rep): A consultant who represents the homeowner’s interests during the planning and construction process, coordinating with architects, contractors, and consultants.

Mock-Up: A sample or partial construction of a detail or finish used to test design intent, quality, or feasibility before full implementation.

Delivery Models: Different methods for structuring construction contracts and responsibilities (e.g., Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CM-at-Risk). Each model affects risk, cost, and decision-making.

RFQ (Request for Qualifications): A document used to shortlist firms based on experience and capability before requesting formal proposals.

RFP (Request for Proposal): A formal document inviting firms to submit detailed proposals on how they would deliver a project, including scope, cost, and approach.

GNM (Guaranteed Maximum Price): A contract structure where the contractor is reimbursed for costs but capped at a maximum price, protecting the owner from overruns.

OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) Meeting: Regular project meetings between the owner, architect, and contractor to review progress, resolve issues, and make decisions.

Change Order (CO): A formal amendment to the construction contract to account for changes in scope, cost, or time.

Resources & Links

· Landmark Custom Homes – https://www.homesbylandmark.com

· The Insider’s Guide to Custom Homes – https://TIGTCH.com

· Email Rick: [email protected]

· LinkedIn: Rick Bell

· Instagram: @homesbylandmark