It is important for owners to take charge of the project and start viewing the contractor as a partner in the construction process. After all, the owner needs to have the project completed and the contractor needs the work. Neither one can be successful without the other. Although it takes a little more effort for the owner to become part of the process, his or her involvement is rewarded with a smooth-running, low-stress, on-time, and on-budget project. Without participation in the process, the owner is passively giving control to the contractor; there tend to be greater risks and the owner will often spend more time struggling to cope with the challenges rather than ensuring that his or her expectations are being met. Significant dollars are at stake during construction projects, and owners can either choose to control risks or let the contractors add money to their contracted price to cover the ultimate or expected losses.