General Contracting
Cerro is not a construction company, and we never will be. But on whole-home projects we co-lead the build with a named general contractor partner — the same partnership for every owner, every project — so the design doesn't drift during the twelve to twenty-four months of field execution.
The relationship is structured as a design-lead, build-partner joint venture. The builder carries the license, the bond, and the subs; we carry the design, the specifications, and the decision-making authority on anything that touches finish, detail, or character. The owner has one weekly meeting and one invoice reconciliation — and two names on the contract.
Our partners have delivered for us for years. We know how each one runs a site, how each one handles change orders, and which one is the right fit for a Hope Ranch ground-up versus a Montecito adobe restoration versus a Santa Ynez ranch. We suggest the pairing at Discovery and finalize it in the engagement letter.
We do not take a contracting fee. We are paid only for our design work; the builder's fee is what the builder charges, disclosed. There is no incentive misalignment hidden in the margin.
The scope, in writing.
- 01Pre-construction collaboration: constructability review, value engineering, schedule strategy
- 02Weekly OAC (owner-architect-contractor) meeting attendance
- 03Shop-drawing review and approval against specifications
- 04Field-decision authority on all design-adjacent questions
- 05Change-order review with the owner before approval
- 06Punch-list and close-out management
- 07Pre-install mock-ups for plaster, stone, and custom millwork
2 ways to start.
Design-lead JV
We are paid our design fee on the owner-Cerro engagement letter. The builder is paid their build fee on the owner-builder engagement letter. The two contracts reference each other and the JV commitments.
Owner's rep only
Occasionally — for a construction project where the design is already resolved and the owner needs a watchful eye on the build — we join as owner's-rep, fee-only, no design scope.
Design fees are standard Cerro; build fees are standard for the chosen partner. Both are disclosed in writing before the JV is formed.
We co-deliver this capability with a named, licensed partner. Every engagement discloses which partner is on the project and on what terms.
Begin an inquiry — we reply in five business days.
Every inquiry lands with a principal. We read it personally. If what you need isn't us, we will tell you — and we may know the right party.