It's not THAT the owner controls...it's WHAT the owner controls!
Q&A Just for Fun Q: What establishes the (hard) cost of a project? A: The scope. Q: What establishes the scope of a project? A: The plans & specs. Q: What establishes the plans & specs? A: The design. Q: Who establishes the design? A: The Designer (with a dose of Owner). Q: Who selects the Designer? A: The Owner. Q: What establishes the price of a project? A: Competition among builders. Q: Who sets the price of a project? A: The Owner (via their selection of the Builder) Q: Who does the Designer and Builder "work for"? A: The Owner. So, in effect, the Owner sets the cost, the scope, the plans & specs, the Designer, the Builder, and the price...what could possibly go wrong? Where is the flaw in this process? Why is the first price and the final price often different? Q: Who or what guarantees that the first price and final price will be the same? Stated differently, the question should be; Q: Who or wh