OUR STORY
OUR EXPERTISE
With over 45 years of experience in the Construction and Asset Management industry, we specialize in multifamily, commercial and residential construction, project management, and general contracting. Our team of experts has experience in all aspects of construction, from planning and design to execution and management.
OUR STORY
Production & Custom Construction Development
With more than 45 years of hands-on experience in construction and development, Jim Slevin built Owner Builder By You to help project & property owners manage projects with the same insight and cost control as professional builders.
Starting as a union carpenter, Jim advanced quickly to superintendent with over 100 homes under construction for Presley Homes of Northern California by age 27. His career spans large-scale residential and multifamily developments, design-build leadership, and owner-builder consulting.
What We Do
Owner Builder By You provides expert guidance and management for anyone planning, improving, or maintaining a property.
Our Core Services
- New & Improved Construction Management – Residential / Commercial / Multi-Family
- Property & Asset Management – Cost control, vendor oversight, and quality assurance
- Design-Build Consulting – Support for Owner Builders, Developers, and Project Owners
- Construction Analytics – Costing estimates, scheduling, and performance tracking
- Serving the Metro Bay Area, Solano, and Napa County — with remote capability for larger projects anywhere.
Our Advantage
- Wholesale Cost Access – Proven network of subcontractors, independent contractors, and material vendors
- Forecasted Costing & Time Management – Transparent “cost-minus” pricing model with updated time impact schedules
- Quality & Efficiency – Self-perform trade and management crews ensure the job is done right for the lowest cost the first time
- Goodwill Partnership – A business built on collaboration with subcontractors, trade partners and clients alike
Who We Work With
- Property & Project Owners
- Property Managers & Boards (HOAs, Multifamily, Student Housing, Assisted Care)
- Builder-Developers & General Contractors
- Architects & Engineers seeking cost-focused construction partners
Meet Jim Slevin
Managing Partner, Owner Builder By You
- Class B General Building Contractor
- Class A General Engineering Contractor
- 45+ years in Design-Build & Development
Jim Slevin offers a complimentary 1-hour Q&A session for new clients to review projects and share initial insights.
Follow-up competitive bid or consultation is available at an hourly rate.
METRO BAY AREA NEW CONSTRUCTION
Building Across Northern California
Serving the greater Bay Area — from the Sacramento Basin to San Jose, including the East Bay and Western Northern California.
Projects outside the immediate metro area are typically larger-scale developments requiring comprehensive oversight and resources
Our Expertise - New Construction & Design-Build
From concept to completion, we deliver ground-up new builds and design-build projects for owners and development partners.
We also provide turnkey construction management for clients seeking a single point of responsibility.
Additions, Remodels & Renovations for larger scale scope projects.
Whether expanding, updating, or reimagining an existing structure, our team specializes in additions, remodels, and complete renovations — enhancing both function and value.es.
General Contracting & Project Management
As a licensed General Contractor, we provide end-to-end management on every project, including:
- Construction and Project Management
- On-Site Supervision and Quality Control
- Customer Service & Warranty Programs
- In-House Self-Performed Trades on selected projects
- Purchasing and Accounting Oversight
We offer both Lump Sum Contracts and Open-Book Cost-Plus Agreements with not-to-exceed terms for transparency and budget control.
Operations & Administration
We manage every phase of the process — financial, operational, and technical — ensuring projects stay on schedule and on budget.
Our internal capabilities include:
- Full AP/AR and Contract Administration
- Estimating, Purchasing, and Legal Management
- Operations Analytics and “soup-to-nuts” business oversight
- Weekly project schedules via Microsoft Project
- Bi-weekly subcontractor and vendor coordination meetings
- Monthly executive project reviews
Larger projects include secure client portals for real-time progress monitoring and communication.
Technology & Communication
We combine advanced tools and transparent reporting to keep every client fully informed:
· Weekly drone and on-site video/photo documentation
- 24/7 video surveillance for large-scale sites
- Integrated construction management software across all departments
- Regular team and client Zoom meetings for updates and collaboration
Specialized Services
Beyond construction, we provide specialized expertise to protect and enhance your assets:
- Remedial and Structural Retrofits
- Civil Construction and Infrastructure Improvements
- Hardscape / Landscape and Capital Improvement Management
- Inspection and Quality Assurance Oversight
METRO BAY AREA ASSET MANAGEMENT
Property-by-Property Oversight for any Asset type
Owner Builder By You provides full-spectrum asset and property management services across the Metro Bay Area, including Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Residential, and Multi-Family properties.
Our Expertise
We manage, enhance, and protect real-property assets for:
- Real-estate partnerships and portfolio owners
- Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and property-management teams
- Investor and venture-capital ownership groups
- Individual property and project owners
From existing holdings to new acquisitions, we bring disciplined cost analysis, field experience, and turnkey project management to every property.
As Primary General Contractor we offer full-service property grounds maintenance through our Secondary Sub-Contractor partners for Commercial Retail or our Multifamily property management clientele.
Comprehensive Management & Oversight
We combine traditional property management with construction and financial leadership.
Our programs include services for prospect acquisitions or for existing assets.
Strategic & Financial Management
- Property-by-property profit-and-loss oversight
- Net Operating Income (NOI) monitoring and improvement
- Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable administration for partnerships and ownership groups
- Finance and Business Management — complete “soup-to-nuts” operations analytics
- Transparent Lump Sum or Cost-Plus (Open Book) contract models with guaranteed “Not to Exceed” terms
Project & Construction Management
- New or Improvement Construction for existing assets
- General Contractor (GC) services on a project-by-project or asset-by-asset basis
- Design-Build and Capital Improvement execution
- Comprehensive Due Diligence — scopes of work, specifications, and detailed costing
- Preventive Maintenance and long-term improvement planning
- Landscape and Site Management
Operations & Quality Control
- Owner Builder By You Inspection Procedures— detailed quality oversight
- Estimating, Purchasing, and Contract Administration
- In-house Self-Perform Trades for control and efficiency
- Customer Service & Warranty Programs
- Remedial / Retro Structural or Civil Construction Services for existing assets
Collaboration & Communication
We maintain clear, proactive communication with all stakeholders:
- Weekly field and office meetings with subcontractors and vendors (via Zoom)
- Bi-weekly project-by-project cost and production reviews
- Weekly drone footage & on-site documentation for visual progress tracking
- Monthly portfolio-wide team meetings
- Centralized construction-management software systems for scheduling, analytics, and document sharing
Legal & Risk Management
- Oversight of contract administration, legal review, and litigation support
- Guidance on regulatory compliance and dispute resolution
Why Choose Owner Builder By You
With 45+ years of hands-on experience, we deliver:
- Lower costs through direct trade relationships
- Transparent financial tracking
- Unmatched attention to quality and timing
- Partnership built on goodwill and accountability
CONSULTANT SERVICES
Advisory Support for Builders, Investors & Project Owners
Owner Builder By You provides strategic and operational consulting for Owner Builders, General Contractors, Developers, and Real-Estate Investors who want expert guidance without adding full-time staff.
Who We Serve
We partner with:
- Individual Owner Builders and Entrepreneurs
- General Contractors and Construction Firms
- Property Managers and Real-Estate Investors
- Secondary Subcontractors and Material Vendors
Whether you’re building new, renovating, or managing multiple projects, we offer scalable consulting services tailored to your goals.
Consulting & Management Support
Project-by-Project Guidance
- Comprehensive Owner Builder Consultant Support for new and existing projects
- Forward planning, business-plan development, and investment offering preparation for capital-raise initiatives
- Property-by-property analysis with detailed work-plan creation and financial forecasting
- Hourly-based consultant agreements with clear “not-to-exceed” pricing
Construction Execution & Operational Mentorship
- General Construction Executional Support for company growth and client-satisfaction programs
- Tutorial, turnkey services for subcontractors, trade partners, and independent contractors
- Mentor-style, person-to-person guidance to elevate field and management performance
- Subcontractor & Labor-Force Management Support
Design-Build & Project Delivery
- New Construction, Additions, Remodels, and Renovations for partnerships and project owners
- Acting as Primary GC or Design-Build Consultant with turnkey oversight
- Lump Sum Contracts or Open-Book Cost-Plus Agreements with guaranteed “Not to Exceed” terms
Comprehensive Operations Support
Our consulting model mirrors a full in-house construction-management office:
- Accounts Payable & Receivable oversight for limited partnerships or client projects
- Construction & Project Management, Supervision, and Warranty Support
- In-house Self-Perform Trades, Purchasing, and Accounting Services
- Finance & Business Management — complete “soup-to-nuts” operations analytics
- Estimating, Purchasing and Contract Administration
- OB By You Inspection Procedures & Management
Technology & Communication
We keep every client informed through transparent systems and frequent reporting:
- Weekly updates and schedules via Microsoft Project
- Weekly subcontractor/vendor Zoom meetings
- Bi-weekly production & cost-oversight meetings
- Weekly drone photos & field documentation
- 24/7 video-security surveillance on larger-scale projects
- Monthly project-team Zoom reviews
- Online client portals for full, project-by-project access
- Integration with companywide construction-management software
Legal & Specialized Services
- Legal Management & Litigation Support
- Remedial, Retro Structural, or Civil Construction Services for existing assets or projects requiring corrective work
Why Partner With Us
For over 45 years, Owner Builder By You has been the trusted consultant for professionals who want experienced insight without the overhead.
We deliver:
- Transparent pricing
- Expert field and financial oversight
- Seamless communication
- Proven results across every project scale