Construction client advisory in French-speaking Switzerland: a profession at the heart of new real estate challenges

Given the increasing complexity of real estate projects, project management assistance (AMO) is gaining significant traction in French-speaking Switzerland. From the preparation of operations to the handover of residential units, these specialists assist owners, buyers, investors, and developers in managing technical, financial, and organizational risks.

The real estate sector is evolving. Buyer requirements are rising, projects are becoming more complex, and construction-related responsibilities demand particular attention. In this context, the ability to anticipate difficulties, document decisions, and coordinate the various stakeholders represents a major challenge.

Several players are positioning themselves in this market in French-speaking Switzerland, with approaches tailored to the needs of private individuals, institutional investors, and real estate professionals. Among them are Vision AMO, TASQ, and KERLINE, which illustrate the development of services dedicated to assisting project owners.

AMO, support that meets new needs

Project management assistance (AMO) consists of supporting the project owner in the preparation, monitoring, and handover of their real estate project. It aims to provide the client with a transversal vision of the operation, taking into account their objectives, constraints, and the risks likely to affect the final outcome.

Unlike companies tasked with carrying out the work, the AMO acts in the best interest of its client. Its role involves clarifying needs, examining technical documents, facilitating the coordination of stakeholders, and helping the client make informed decisions.

This approach applies as much to private owners building or renovating their homes as it does to developers and investors managing larger real estate operations.

The development of these types of services is part of a broader market trend: project owners are now seeking to better manage their projects, limit uncertainties, and have a single point of contact capable of accompanying them throughout the entire process.

Players with complementary positioning

The Swiss market in French-speaking Switzerland includes several structures active in project management assistance, with different client bases and areas of intervention.

Vision AMO: supporting owners and local authorities

Vision AMO notably works with villa owners and in the context of projects involving institutional players or local authorities.

Among the operations mentioned in the press is the new Quartier Saint-Michel in Moudon, associated with Gerofinance. This example illustrates the diversity of situations in which project owner assistance may be necessary, ranging from private projects to more complex real estate operations.

TASQ: intervening with institutional actors

TASQ assists players such as Pensimo, the CFF, and Zurich Invest in the context of real estate projects, particularly renovation operations.

Institutional projects require rigorous coordination, precise definition of services, and monitoring adapted to the operational constraints of the buildings. The intervention of an AMO can help structure these processes and facilitate trade-offs between technical requirements, financial objectives, and schedules.

KERLINE: expertise developed within OAKS GROUP

In Geneva, KERLINE was born within OAKS GROUP, a group active in real estate development and promotion, before becoming an independent structure.

This origin has allowed it to develop a concrete understanding of the challenges faced by developers and buyers. Real estate projects indeed involve numerous technical and financial choices that can have direct consequences on the progress of construction sites and on the satisfaction of future owners.

The development of KERLINE reflects a broader ambition: to offer specialized support to real estate players beyond the scope of operations developed by OAKS GROUP.

This independence allows KERLINE to work with various developers and project owners, adapting its intervention to the specific needs of each project.

From real estate development to independent support

The creation of KERLINE within OAKS GROUP illustrates an interesting evolution in the real estate sector: certain skills developed by developers can become specialized services accessible to other market players.

The experience gained in real estate development allows for a better understanding of the interactions between architectural design, technical choices, budget, construction execution, and buyer expectations.

This global vision is a major asset when it comes to identifying areas of uncertainty in a project or anticipating the consequences of a decision.

The professional experience of Marc-Antoine Robbe, previously active at Steiner and Swissroc, is also part of this dynamic of developing specialized skills in real estate and construction.

The objective is not to replace architects, engineers, or general contractors, but to strengthen the client's ability to manage their project and defend their interests.

The reform of construction law reinforces the importance of project monitoring

Developments in Swiss law regarding construction defects reinforce the importance of structured management for real estate projects.

The federal reform that came into force on January 1, 2026, modifies certain rules relating to the reporting of defects and the right to remediation. These changes make the proper organization of inspections, document retention, and monitoring of contractual obligations even more critical.

When a defect appears after the delivery of a property, several elements must be taken into consideration: the nature of the defect, the applicable contracts, the responsibilities of the parties involved, and the deadlines to be met.

Precise documentation of observations and communications facilitates the resolution of situations. It also allows the client to have better visibility into the actions taken and the elements remaining to be resolved.

AMO (Project Management Assistance) can help organize this technical and documentary follow-up, without substituting for legal counsel when the interpretation of contracts or the defense of rights requires specialized expertise.

Why anticipation is essential in a real estate project

Difficulties encountered on a construction site do not always result from poor execution. Some originate from an insufficient definition of services, late decision-making, or a lack of coordination between the parties involved.

An assistance to project ownership mission can cover several aspects:

• Needs analysis: defining the client's expectations and translating them into concrete objectives.
• Document review: verifying the consistency of plans, specifications, and announced services.
• Decision monitoring: documenting technical choices and their potential financial consequences.
• Coordination: facilitating communication between the client, architects, engineers, and companies.
• Deadline control: identifying points of concern that could affect the schedule.
• Preparation for handover: organizing inspections, recording observations, and tracking items remaining to be addressed.

This approach aims to limit uncertainties and promote better project control. It does not guarantee the absence of defects or cost overruns, but it provides a more rigorous method for identifying and addressing difficulties.

A demand that concerns individuals and professionals alike

Needs for project management assistance vary according to the nature of the operations.

For an individual buying a new apartment, professional support can facilitate the understanding of plans, material choices, options, and services provided for in the contract. It can also help prepare for delivery and organize the monitoring of any defects.

For an owner undertaking a renovation, AMO can help compare proposed solutions, anticipate the constraints of an existing building, and monitor budget trade-offs.

For a developer or investor, support can concern the preparation of the operation, the analysis of services, the follow-up of decisions, and the coordination of the different stages of the project.

The experiences of structures such as Vision AMO, TASQ, and KERLINE thus illustrate the diversity of needs that project management assistance can address in the French-speaking Swiss market.

KERLINE: a structured approach at the service of the client

Based in Geneva, KERLINE SA supports clients in the understanding, monitoring, and control of their real estate projects.

Its approach is based on a needs analysis, particular attention to technical documents, and a rigorous organization of the decisions that mark the project's progress.

Originating from OAKS GROUP, KERLINE has developed its positioning around a concrete understanding of the challenges of real estate development and the support of buyers. Its independence now allows it to offer its services to various market players.

The goal is to give the project owner better visibility over their operation, to facilitate communication between stakeholders, and to contribute to a more structured management of risks.

In an environment where technical, contractual, and financial requirements are increasingly significant, having suitable support constitutes a genuine management tool.

Conclusion: AMO, a partner in controlling real estate projects

The development of project management assistance (AMO) in French-speaking Switzerland reflects an evolution in the expectations of owners, investors, and real estate professionals.

Vision AMO, TASQ, and KERLINE illustrate different forms of support, adapted to projects and project owners with varied needs. The references to Gerofinance, Pensimo, CFF, Zurich Invest, Steiner, and Swissroc also testify to the diversity of the actors mentioned in this real estate ecosystem.

For KERLINE, the challenge lies in placing this expertise at the service of better project preparation, rigorous monitoring, and a clearer relationship between the various stakeholders.

Because a successful real estate project is prepared well before delivery, project management assistance is an essential lever for better anticipating risks, structuring decisions, and defending the interests of the project owner.

Sources

Journalistic source: "Construction defects: why technical support is becoming professionalized in Switzerland", Serge Guertchakoff, editorial director at Immobilier.ch, published in Le Temps on October 24, 2026. Access to the full article may require a subscription.

Legal reference: Federal Office of Justice, "Construction defects: the new rules will apply starting January 1, 2026", press release of April 30, 2025.

FAQ

When should one engage project management assistance (AMO)?

Ideally, from the very beginning of project preparation, to clarify needs, services, and the budget. A mandate can also be defined for a specific stage, such as handover or the monitoring of defects.

Does the AMO replace the architect or the general contractor?

No. The AMO supports the project owner in their decisions and the monitoring of their operation, according to the agreed mandate. It does not replace the contractual responsibilities of designers and contractors.

Can the AMO assist with the monitoring of construction defects?

Yes, depending on its mandate, it can organize inspections, document observations, and follow up on issues to be addressed. The analysis of applicable rights and deadlines may also require legal counsel.