What is the major difference between public and private owners in construction?

The major difference between public and private owners in construction is that private owners often consider economic opportunities more significantly when making decisions regarding their projects. Private owners typically operate within a competitive market, where the profitability and economic viability of a project are crucial. Their decisions are heavily influenced by the potential return on investment, customer demand, and market conditions.

In contrast, public owners are generally focused on serving the public interest and are driven by factors such as community needs, regulatory requirements, and long-term benefits for the public. Their funding often comes from taxes and public investments, rather than direct profits. This fundamental difference in motivation and objectives leads private owners to prioritize economic considerations such as market trends and potential profitability more than their public counterparts.