A reputation for quality performance and the aging baby boomer population helped VC Construction Management get into the senior housing market.

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Pioneer Consultants Ltd.

With a history that dates back to 1989, VC Construction Manage­ment of Langley, British Colum­bia, has survived by remaining flexible within the construction industry and adapting to the market.

The company began with a focus on single-family residential construction. President Larry Vetter founded the company with what he describes as one “small crew of fellas.” After graduating to larger multifamily developments, local markets changed and he sought other avenues in the development field. Having found a niche in project and construction management – and due to a recovering market – Vetter says VC began to focus on projects primarily around its Vancouver home base, becoming involved with the construction management of government-driven commercial and institutional projects. In 1999, VC adjusted to a new, growing market area by serving the senior residential sector, which it continues to perform in today.

“The reasons for our change in market sectors is because we are a smaller type of company in a small local market, and need to be more flexible and mobile to the private and public development players in the market,” Vetter explains. “We don’t have the resources of acquiring land and developing out, so the company needs to be flexible to move between various types of construction and various types of developers.

“If the commercial sector is on the verge of a boom, then our focus sways to commercial,” he continues. “If the market switches to multi-family or senior residential, we will move. It’s dependent on the economy, and we continually look ahead two or three years.”

The Senior Class
According to Vetter, VC entered the senior housing sector when a local developer who had heard of the company’s expertise in project and construction management approached him. “He wanted to develop high-end, resort-style senior projects,” Vetter says. “He hired our company to develop the first of five resort-style senior projects. He was pleased with our services and performance, and we continued to develop his projects.”

VC began to manage senior housing projects for other developers in the market. The aging of the baby boomers has helped grow VC, and Vetter says it has been a very good market for the company.

In the past few years, Vetter explains, the private senior development market has begun to dry up somewhat, which has caused VC to slightly adjust its focus more on the government-sponsored affordable senior housing market.

“We are currently managing one project financed by the provincial government, with two more set for 2010,” he says. “The market is affecting private housing, and the government is stepping in to stimulate the economy and provide needed affordable senior housing.”

A Tri-Level Commitment
Vetter explains that VC is committed to three philosophies, which separate the company from its competitors. The first is being focused on long-term relationships with developers and financiers. “Our company’s policy is to strive for a positive work environment while maintaining honesty, integrity and a hard work ethic,” Vetter says. “These are things private developers and large government entities look for so they can feel confident and trust us with their project schedule, budget and quality. We want to have long-term relationships so we can grow that feeling with the stakeholders that we will always work in a developer’s best interest.”

The second philosophy for VC is to always achieve prompt and accurate accountability for budgets, schedules and construction methodology for projects. “We use our knowledge and expertise to make sure those are accurate,” Vetter asserts. “If there is a problem, we will tell the developers what the issues are, the options and work to come out with the best solution for all.”

Similar to the first and second philosophies, the third also is based on VC’s values. “The company believes in order to prosper for the long term, our business must be built on truth, honesty and integrity, and we will not engage in any action that does not benefit all parties,” Vetter states. “For our business to prosper, the developers, suppliers and sub-trades all need to follow this philosophy.

“We want to make sure everyone involved in the project performs quality work,” he adds. “We find the production and quality of the project is far better because everyone is on board. It’s a team approach down to the subs by all parties involved.”

Keeping a Finger on the Pulse
Vetter explains VC is able to provide developers with prompt answers and service, and is able to solve issues effectively and quickly. For the future, Vetter believes the company will remain flexible and nimble within the marketplace.

“I don’t know where the future is going to take us in 10 years, but in the next five, we have to watch our overheads and be flexible in our industry,” he says.

“When we finally do come out of this economic recession, there will be other emerging markets, and new technology coming out of the construction industry,” he adds. “We need to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry so we are well-positioned for any market changes.”