How BuildAdvocate Works
BuildAdvocate is an independent construction advisor for homeowners. We help you plan, document, compare, organize communication, and make better construction decisions. We do not sell construction work through the standard consulting model, and we are not automatically your general contractor.
The simple model.
The difference is control and visibility. A traditional builder model puts the builder between the homeowner and most trade costs, schedules, and decisions. The BuildAdvocate consulting model keeps the homeowner directly involved while adding experienced review, organization, and decision support.
Traditional builder model
Homeowner hires builder. Builder hires and manages subs. Builder controls trade pricing, coordination, markup, and most of the visibility.
Flow: Homeowner -> Builder/GC -> Trades
Typical payment path: homeowner pays builder, and builder pays trades according to the builder’s agreement.
BuildAdvocate consulting model
Homeowner hires BuildAdvocate for advisory, documentation, coordination support, scope review, and decision help. Homeowner usually keeps direct relationships with trades and direct visibility into trade costs.
Flow: Homeowner -> Trades and qualified professionals, with BuildAdvocate advising beside the homeowner.
Typical payment path: homeowner pays trades directly, and BuildAdvocate’s consulting fee is separate.
What stays clear before work starts.
Who hires trades?
In the owner-builder support model, homeowners usually contract with trades directly. BuildAdvocate can work with the homeowner’s existing trades, or help identify appropriate trade partners and other professionals from Nathan’s years in pool building, homebuilding, remodeling, and project management. The trade relationship is normally between the homeowner and the trade.
Who pays trades?
Homeowners usually pay trades directly. BuildAdvocate can review progress before funds are released and help document items that need correction before payment, but trade invoices normally remain between the homeowner and the responsible trade.
Does BuildAdvocate mark up invoices?
In the standard consulting model, no. BuildAdvocate’s consulting fee is separate from trade costs, so trade costs can pass directly to the homeowner instead of being hidden inside a builder markup. Homeowners usually contract with and pay trades directly, while BuildAdvocate helps review scopes, compare options, document progress, and support homeowner decisions. Any different arrangement should be explained in writing before work starts.
Is BuildAdvocate the GC?
No, not automatically. BuildAdvocate is not acting as the general contractor unless a separate written agreement says so. Written agreements should define who performs work, who is paid, what is included, and what responsibility each party carries.
What responsibility remains with trades?
Subcontractors, licensed trades, builders, engineers, inspectors, labs, attorneys, public adjusters, and other professionals remain responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing, insurance, warranties, code compliance, opinions, and licensed services. BuildAdvocate can help organize and review information, but it does not take over the professional responsibility of the people performing or certifying the work.
What does BuildAdvocate review?
Scope, bids, change orders, draw requests, progress, visible conditions, permits, city-record status, repair paths, project communications, and documentation.
When other professionals may need to be involved.
BuildAdvocate can work with the people already on the project, and when the project needs another specialist, we may help homeowners find qualified trade partners or professionals who fit the scope. Engineering documents should come from engineers. Inspection documents should come from inspectors. Legal opinions should come from attorneys. Insurance-claim representation should come from licensed public adjusters or the appropriate insurance professionals. Testing conclusions should come from qualified labs. Trade work should come from the responsible trades.
Our job is to help homeowners organize facts, ask better questions, plan the next step, and understand what type of professional input is needed before spending more money.
What you receive.
Consultation or review path
A clear recommendation on whether the next step is a consultation, site/document review, report packet, trade conversation, or referral to an engineer, inspector, lab, attorney, public adjuster, city contact, or specialty trade.
Decision-ready notes
Plain-language issues to ask about before signing, paying, replacing a contractor, accepting a repair path, or escalating the problem.
Role clarity
A written understanding of BuildAdvocate’s consulting role, the homeowner’s decisions, and the responsibility that remains with trades and licensed professionals.
Common questions.
Is BuildAdvocate a contractor?
BuildAdvocate is a construction consulting and homeowner-advocacy service. We do not sell construction work through the standard consulting model, and we are not automatically acting as your general contractor.
Can BuildAdvocate help me use trade partners?
Yes. BuildAdvocate can help identify appropriate trade partners or other professionals and review their scopes or information, while those parties remain responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing, warranties, insurance, and opinions.
Can you prepare a report?
Yes. Depending on the situation, BuildAdvocate can compile a construction consulting report with timelines, photos, public records, bids, observations, and documents from engineers, inspectors, labs, attorneys, public adjusters, or trades when their input is needed.
Can you diagnose ASR, certify work, or prove legal fault?
No. We can help document visible conditions and organize evidence, but diagnosis, structural certification, legal fault, insurance coverage, and other licensed determinations require the appropriate professional.