Build or renovate with an expert in your corner.
Most people build a home once or twice in a lifetime. We help you do it right the first time, without learning the hard lessons firsthand.
Building or significantly renovating a home is one of the most consequential decisions most people will ever make, and it's almost always made with very little hands‑on experience. You hire an architect, you hire a general contractor, you sign a contract that runs to dozens of pages, and you spend the next several months making decisions whose consequences you can't always see until they are framed in, drywalled over, and impossible to change without real disruption. Claus Consulting exists to put an experienced, independent professional on your side of that table.
We start most homeowner engagements with GC procurement. The single biggest determinant of how a project goes is who you hire to build it. We help you develop a shortlist of qualified general contractors who are right‑sized for your project, scope of work, and timeline; we manage the bid invitation; and we make sure the bid documents are clear enough that the responses you receive can actually be compared. From there, bid analysis is where homeowners benefit most. Two GC bids on the same project can look almost identical at the bottom line and contain meaningfully different scopes. We line them up on a single sheet, identify the gaps, and translate the jargon into plain language so you can make a confident decision.
Once construction begins, the next chapter is product selection assistance. Allowances become a quiet source of stress when homeowners are asked to pick fixtures, finishes, and materials without knowing which choices land inside the contractor's allowance and which trigger upgrades. We attend selection meetings, push back on vague allowances, and help you choose products that match your vision and your standards — and that will hold up over the long term.
We then walk the site on a recurring schedule. Regular site visits and quality control inspections catch problems early — before they're hidden behind drywall and turn into much bigger headaches. You get a written report, photos, and an honest assessment of where the project stands.
Inevitably, change orders come up. Some are legitimate and fairly priced. Others are the result of unclear original scope or pricing that doesn't reconcile with the contract. When a change order disputes turn into uncomfortable conversations, we step in as the calm, experienced voice in the room — speaking your contractor's language, holding everyone accountable to the documents, and resolving issues before they become legal problems. From the first conversation to the final walk‑through, you have someone whose job is simply to make sure your project goes well.
GC Procurement
Find and qualify the right general contractor for your project and your standards.
Bid Analysis
We translate the spreadsheets so you can choose with confidence.
Product Selection Assistance
Materials, finishes, and fixtures that match your vision and your taste.
Change Order Disputes
An experienced advocate when the scope, or the terms, start to drift.
Site Visits & Quality Control
Regular walk-throughs to verify work matches plans and standards.
Punch List & Closeout
A thorough final walk-through and closeout review so nothing is left unfinished.
I've never built or renovated before. Is this for me?
Especially for you. Most of our homeowner clients are doing this for the first or second time in their lives. Our entire job is to bring decades of experience to the decisions you've never had to make before.
Do you replace my general contractor?
No. You still hire a GC to build your project. We work alongside them on your behalf — reviewing their bid, watching the work, and making sure what's in the contract is what shows up in your home.
When should I bring you in — before or after I pick a contractor?
Before, ideally. The smoothest projects — and the most peace of mind — come from helping you choose the right GC and writing a clear, fair contract before anyone signs. We're also happy to step in mid-project when something doesn't feel right.
Will my contractor be offended if I hire an owner's rep?
Good contractors welcome it. A clear scope, an organized owner, and a third party who speaks the language usually means fewer disputes and a smoother job for everyone. Contractors who push back on independent oversight are the ones who most need it.
How much does it cost?
Engagements are scoped to the size and complexity of your project — anywhere from a few hours of bid review to a recurring monthly retainer through closeout. We talk through it openly during the first conversation, before any commitment.