K2 Construction Celebrates their 30th Anniversary

K2 Construction Celebrates 30th Anniversary.

September 3, 2019

Business Examiner – Vancouver Island

COWICHAN VALLEY – Handing over the keys is their favourite moment.

For 30 years now, K2 Construction founder Kevin Fraser and his team have crafted homes for their Cowichan Valley neighbours. Driving around town they see their work. Visiting the grocery store, they are greeted by previous clients.

“Throughout the project, we form a strong bond,” Fraser said. “At the end, we give them the keys to their new well-built home, genuinely adding value to their lives.”

Site supervisor Rick Porter, who has worked with Fraser for 27 years, agrees, saying “At the end of the job, it’s always nice to hand the keys to the homeowner for a brand-new, sparkly, well-built house.”

Constructing a well-built house is a coordinated process honed over decades. When Fraser founded K2 Construction in 1989, he wanted a company that was well-respected for its workmanship, solid core values, and delivering as promised. His vision was backed with experience and education: He had University of BC diplomas in appraisal, finance and management, a decade of hands-on carpentry and more than 20 years’ experience in construction management.

Now 30 years later, he has built K2 into a reputable builder of custom homes and acknowledges there were some bumps along the way, most being shifts in the market and changes in the industry. A decade after he started his business, there was an economic downturn, starting in 1999, and construction contracts just dried up.

K2 was still a relatively young company, busy building its reputation and developing the company’s networks, so the recession hit hard.

Fraser kept the company solvent by being flexible. When contracts dwindled, he switched his team to general contracting, building spec homes, commercial buildings and handling renovations.

“Construction was a challenging career to take on but I managed to weather the industry downturns,” he recalls. In the mid 2000’s, the company was invited to do several joint venture housing projects, at the same time clients also began requesting custom homes again.
In 2007, with the joint ventures completed, Fraser re-focused his company solely on its core custom home business. These are Fraser’s favourite builds.

“We find it rewarding to help a family through the process of creating their home,” he says, adding that some clients enter the process with apprehension, either from previous experience or media reports about difficult contractors.

K2 works directly with the family on implementing their vision for their home, while keeping the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. It’s not unusual that, by the end of the build, the new homeowners are inviting the K2 team over for a celebratory barbecue. They often also become friends.

“We’ll meet these people in the community for the next 5- 10 or more years,” he says.

One previous client recently approached K2 to build a guest cottage, 15 years after K2 built their main home.

When the economy dipped after the financial crisis of 2008, K2 was well-enough established in the Cowichan Valley that the contracts continued to flow in.

Roughly half of K2’s clients are already residents of the Cowichan Valley, and the remainder are new arrivals. Ages range from young families and middle-aged baby boomers with teens, to empty-nesters building their retirement dream home.

Some hear of K2 by word-of-mouth, or from testimonials on the company’s website.

References like:

“The best indicator of high-quality workmanship and pride is what people do with the parts of a home that you cannot see when it is complete. After watching our home and others around us being built, it is obvious that the quality and pride of K2 is far above the rest of the industry.”

“Not only did they (K2) keep their promises, they added value in numerous ways, in suggestions on a better way to do things, how to save me money without compromising quality, again a highly valuable trait that unfortunately many companies today do not offer. But K2 does!”

“This is how house construction should always be. On time – in fact a week early – and under budget, yet nothing but top quality from top to bottom. We did our homework and learned that K2 was the best in the Valley and well worth waiting for;”

Because of its popularity, K2 is tasked with managing demand, meaning sometimes clients must wait for an opening in their schedule.

“We’re always careful not to take on more than we can thoroughly manage,” Fraser says, noting that at times, the company turns away as many contracts as it accepts. At any one time, K2 will have three to four simultaneous builds underway, all of them meticulously planned to make the most of every hour.
Porter oversees the stages, drawing on his experience with K2 to ensure every project stays on its interlocked schedule. He has also mentored Jared Morton, who joined the company 12 years ago, to give K2 a second expert site supervisor.

Porter describes the sequencing of a typical job with a fluidity, as each trade comes in on time and merges into the next section. First the foundation, then the initial framing, usually overseen by Morton. Porter comes onto the site just before the mechanical trades. He monitors the finishing framing. Plumbers, HVAC, and electrical enter on cue to complete their installations.

Details are important. For example, Porter makes sure the electricians install switch boxes at the same height, using a laser level to confirm the alignment. This is especially important above counters. It ensures that when a tile backsplash is added later, tile cuts and grout lines will be perfectly straight.
The next steps are insulation and drywall, followed by primer and the first coat of paint. Paint is the start of the visible finishing. It leads into flooring, tile and stonework. The finish carpenter does a star turn as cabinets and woodwork are installed.
Porter lends a hand when needed, but otherwise sees himself as a conductor, noting “I ensure the tradespeople come when required and complete what they need to complete on schedule.”

The schedule is important. When multiple homes are being constructed, the projects are synchronized in sequence so no time is wasted waiting on trades. Sub-trades are scheduled so they can move from house to house, finishing up their part of the project in one house, then moving to the next. Having worked with many of the sub-trades for a decade or more, Porter knows they will meet the schedule.

He enjoys seeing homeowners stop by the job site, especially if they have not been able to visit for a few weeks, and seeing their response to how far the project has progressed from the last time they saw it.

“We show up to an empty lot and a few months later, there’s a house,” he says. “I get a good sense of accomplishment from that because we’re creating a product.”

For clients who cannot visit the build site, K2 shares frequent updates and images via the internet. Communication is constant, so homeowners are linked in real time and able to provide input on the project as it is being built.
K2 also uses software for estimating, project management, and budget tracking to keep the entire build on schedule and on budget. For Morton, software is a tool that supports his commitment to the clients.

“If I said we’re going to have your house locked up by November 14, I’ll do everything I can to make that happen,” he says.

Fraser developed the K2 team by looking for people with that same work ethic and attitude, pointing out that often, attitude is more important than experience.

Porter joined K2 in 1992. He had worked in construction and helped his dad build the family home, but then found work in island sawmills. However, he was looking for something more stable in terms of employment, met Fraser, was impressed, and never looked back.

“I thought he was the best builder I worked with,” he recalls. “He started showing me the ropes – most importantly the need to be accurate so that everything is square, strong and built correctly.”
In 2007, Morton had completed his pre-apprenticeship carpentry program at Vancouver Island University. He asked his instructor to recommend a reputable company, where he could work and gain the right kind of skills, and was pointed towards K-2.
“That was the first one I talked to – and the last one I talked to,” Morton says, adding he has worked for K-2 ever since. He is now a lead carpenter and site supervisor.

Peter Greenway joined K-2 in 2016 as a contracts manager, bringing project and permit management experience.

Hiring Greenway was part of Fraser’s succession plan for K2. Key staff have always received shares in the company and now two of those shareholders are preparing to take over. After Morton joined K2 in 2007, he demonstrated enough commitment to become a minority shareholder, which took place four years ago. Within the next year, he will become a co-owner.

The other co-owner will be Greenway. He was selected to join the company in 2016 because his skills and background perfectly complemented Morton as a future co-owner. Together they have the attitudes, construction background, and project management skills to maintain K2’s reputation and standards.

Morton and Greenway plan to take over the company sometime in 2020. Fraser is looking forward to semi-retirement although he will be available as a consultant to K2. Porter hopes to keep working, adding “I can’t quite retire yet so hopefully they’ll hire me back for a year or two.”

As pending co-owners, Morton and Greenway recognize the constant shifts that exist in the construction industry. That includes continuing to navigate increasing environmental regulations including flood and earthquake protection; dealing with increased scrutiny of building materials; and meet demands that homes be eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective.

Greenway also deals with all the new regulatory requirements and changes. Some are directly aimed at development and construction while others, like the mortgage stress-test, have a broader impact on the housing market.

The team is tasked with protecting the K2 standard and reputation in an increasingly challenging market, and is  confident it can succeed.

Some of the building lots their projects are on present their own unique sets of circumstances.

Greenway notes that, for example, available waterfront lots in the Cowichan Valley tend to be steeper, rocky, and heavily treed. Carving out a building site can require blasting, which creates another layer of dealing with bureaucracy.

“The easy stuff has long since been built on,” he said. “The properties we’re looking at now come with a whole new set of challenges.”
To date, K2 has always found a way to make it work, even as costs continue to rise, along with expectations. Over the three decades, Fraser has noticed an uptick in the demand for luxury items like hardwood floors, granite countertops, steam showers and soaker tubs. At the same time, operating costs are dropping as homes are better-built and heating/cooling system become more energy efficient.

Another factor is the internet, which offers homeowners inspiration from projects around the world, as well as in-progress access to viewing their jobs online.

With all the changes, Greenway and Morton are looking forward to, and up to the challenges and opportunities that await K2 Construction, because they “want to keep handing over those keys.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to build a home for a family, to go through all those hurdles, and then to hand over the keys with a big smile and hug,” Greenway says.

House Beautiful: Foxes’ den lets couple connect

Former Calgarians enjoy getting close to nature and their community in their new Cowichan Valley Home

April 11, 2013
By Grania Litwin – TIMES COLONIST
Unlike some couples, Andrew and Christa Fox never fantasized about building their own home.
“The idea just unfolded,” recalled Christa, who explained they came to that conclusion after months of house hunting, following their decision to retire to the West Coast.

 The kitchen island is a handsome china cabinet. Above it are delicate pendant lights. "It doesn't matter how beautiful a home is, if you don't have good lighting, it won't look great," said designer Wendy Wilson, who used recessed lighting, wall sconces, pendants and multi-level lighting to set the mood. Photograph by: Debra Brash

The kitchen island is a handsome china cabinet. Above it are delicate pendant lights. “It doesn’t matter how beautiful a home is, if you don’t have good lighting, it won’t look great,” said designer Wendy Wilson, who used recessed lighting, wall sconces, pendants and multi-level lighting to set the mood.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

The former Calgarians looked at old homes and new homes, and even considered doing major renovations, since Andrew had been in commercial construction all his life, but decided against it after adding up all the costs.

Although it’s not uncommon to hear about couples going through all kinds of battles as they build a home, Christa said they never experienced that. “It was a very, very good experience for us.”

Andrew and Christa Fox fell in love with the Cowichan Valley when they retired there from Calgary. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Andrew and Christa Fox fell in love with the Cowichan Valley when they retired there from Calgary.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

They spent two years planning, visiting show homes and reflecting on their needs. Their goal was never to create a showcase, Christa said “We just wanted a comfortable place for family and friends.”

“All the main rooms offer expansive 180-degree panoramas overlooking Lake Quamichan.”

Andrew agreed that the process went very smoothly. “We came in within four per cent of our budget and were extremely happy with our builder, K2 Construction,” he said, noting they originally thought of settling in an urban area, such as Nanaimo or Victoria, but fell in love with the Cowichan Valley.

“The people here are so genuinely friendly, and we love the restaurants and all the artists,” said Christa, whose career was in educational leadership.

“Her husband can’t get over the peace and quiet of their new home. You don’t hear a sound here except nature. When we were in Calgary, I’d get up at 5 a.m. and already you could hear the buzz of traffic starting up.”

Handy wall attachments flip down for extra hanging space in the laundry room. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Handy wall attachments flip down for extra hanging space in the laundry room.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

They hadn’t been in the valley long before they discovered culinary destinations such as the Saison Market, Hilary’s Cheese, the organic Teafarm, vineyards, organic bakeries and Bill Jones’s Deerholme Farm.

“I love the way you drive out into the middle of nowhere, along these rough, bumpy roads, and suddenly you’re in this incredible, elegant place enjoying some fantastic food,” said Andrew. No wonder people call it the Provence of Canada.

Andrew Fox has started making his own wine since moving to the valley. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Andrew Fox has started making his own wine since moving to the valley.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

“Since they both previously had challenging careers that required long hours,” Christa said, “their overriding desire was a retirement home where they could relax, connect with a community and do meaningful volunteer work, since that’s their passion.”

“The owners wanted an extremely calm space, so we chose colours to reflect that”

A major shift in thinking came when they settled on their new home’s size. Their previous 30-year home was 1,300 square feet and they anticipated building about the same. But designer Bruce Johnson of Pacific West Home Design suggested a two-storey house, since they were building on a slope and could take advantage of views on two levels. As a result, their new home features 1,500 square feet on each of the two levels.

The dining table and chairs were also made locally, as was the coffee table. Photograph by: Debra Brash

The dining table and chairs were also made locally, as was the coffee table.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

Wendy Wilson of Unique Interiors helped with the interior design and exterior colours.

“We would occasionally stumble off in some direction, and Wendy would bring us back on track,” joked Andrew, who noted they originally wanted an emerald-green master bathroom, but opted instead for neutral grey and white marble, with splashes of green as an accent.

“The owners wanted an extremely calm space, so we chose colours to reflect that,” said Wilson, adding they also wanted some Oriental design elements and lots of windows.

The downstairs guestroom has lovely views and a private garden. Photograph by: Debra Brash

The downstairs guestroom has lovely views and a private garden.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

Light flows into the kitchen through rows of glass blocks installed behind the sink, creating a prism effect in the sunshine. And all the main rooms offer expansive 180-degree panoramas overlooking Lake Quamichan.

Moving was less stressful than the couple imagined, partly because they had spent two years planning and purging.

A clever glass block backsplash, and sunken range, make it easier to see into big pots. Photograph by: Debra Brash

A clever glass block backsplash, and sunken range, make it easier to see into big pots.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

They brought almost nothing with them because their previous home was very traditional, and scoured the valley for interesting, locally made West Coast pieces instead.

“It was really amazing how much we bought locally in this small community,” Christa said. “I never thought I’d be buying furniture from places with names like Uncle Albert’s or Whippletree Junction, but we did.”

Corner drawers were custom made by Gillingham Cabinets, along with all the other kitchen and bathroom cabinets and built-ins. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Corner drawers were custom made by Gillingham Cabinets, along with all the other kitchen and bathroom cabinets and built-ins.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

Before moving here, they also jettisoned all their business suits. “The last thing I wanted to do was waste space on clothes. I like to dress well, I like quality, but I don’t need a lot. Books are more precious.”

The couple decided to build a small library off the front foyer, rather than an enormous ensuite off the master bedroom, and their designer suggested sliding shoji screens to save space and add a little Asian flavour.

Extra wide stairs with inset lights are a beautiful addition for the owners, and for aging parents who visit frequently from Calgary. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Extra wide stairs with inset lights are a beautiful addition for the owners, and for aging parents who visit frequently from Calgary.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

They made another break from tradition in the kitchen, when they decided not to use the island primarily as an eating bar. “We have such a great view” who would want to sit with their back to it?”Christa said. They made the island into an attractive china display cabinet with a small area at just one end for stools.

Designer Johnson said he is often the “exclusive thought process” on a project, but not this time. “These owners were wonderful to work with because they had very clear ideas about what they wanted. I was there to facilitate their wishes. This property is all about spectacular views across the valley, so we maximized those by going as wide as we could on two levels.”

 A stone path leads through the easy-care garden. Photograph by: Debra Brash

A stone path leads through the easy-care garden.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

A lower level ended up being a blessing, as the owners’ parents are in their late 80s and 90s and often come to stay. A lighted staircase leading to the lower level was made extra wide, in case they need to install a lift one day, and Andrew is happy to have a full-height basement for the first time.

“In Calgary, we had a crawlspace where I went around on my hands and knees. I am so glad to have a full-height lower floor where I can stand up,” said Andrew, who is using one of the rooms to make wine.

He also insulated all the interior walls for sound and put rigid insulation under the basement slab to keep the lower floor cozy. He is enjoying the milder climate since moving here three years ago.

“We used to barbecue in Calgary, but it was such a lot of work in winter, taking the barbecue in and out of the garage. It’s such a treat here, barbecuing all year round. In Calgary, we had nice deck furniture but could only use it one month of the year. Here, our deck is like a big outside living room.”

The owners chose to have a small library with shoji screen entry, rather than a large walk-in closet. Photograph by: Debra Brash

The owners chose to have a small library with shoji screen entry, rather than a large walk-in closet. Photograph by: Debra Brash

They have a bench by the front door, too, to take advantage of early spring sunshine and morning coffee outside. “There isn’t any part of the outside that we’re not using, now that we understand the climate and house position,” said Christa, who notes they had always lived in a big city.

“You learn a lot about yourself when you decide to live somewhere else. You become more aware of what your needs are. We didn’t want to be isolated in our retirement, but we didn’t want to be in a condo or a gated community either. We thought of living on a golf course, but that seemed too manicured, too perfect.

Wendy Wilson of Unique Interiors helped the owners with interior design and choosing the exterior colours. Photograph by: Debra Brash

Wendy Wilson of Unique Interiors helped the owners with interior design and choosing the exterior colours.
Photograph by: Debra Brash

“Once you have the option of moving and retiring, boy, you start to explore who you are. We talked to a lot of people; we listened and learned a lot. We decided we wanted to focus on things that are meaningful, to contribute to our community, and live an enriched life. And I’m not talking about money.”

Guidelines to choosing a Custom Home Builder

Signing with a builder is a big commitment. If everything else checks out with the builder, go with your instincts. The single most important factor in a custom building project is how well you and your builder will communicate. It is better to invest a bit more to get a builder who you are comfortable with. If you have done a thorough job of choosing the right builder you will have an exciting and enjoyable experience that will leave you with a well built home customized for your lifestyle.

1. Identify your needs and what kind of builder you are seeking:

-How big and customized is your project?
-Will you accept a semi-custom project from a project oriented builder?
-How much time do you have to invest in the building process?
-Often its best to focus on your vocation, that is what you do best, and hire a professional to handle the entire project.
-How much research am I able to do for products and finishes?
-How much time do I have to select materials and finishes?
-Do you want the full service of a Custom Builder?
-Often its best to focus your time and energy on visiting suppliers, working with samples and making informed selections for your new home while leaving the project management to a professional Custom Builder.

2. Identify 2 or 3 Prospective Builders:

– Ask people you trust for recommendations.
– Do web search to find ones that specialize in your type of project.
– Consult online reviews for each builder.

3. Conduct Phone Interviews:

-Do you do this type of project?
-Is Custom Home Building your core business and are you a licensed full time professional?
-What is your experience and how long have you been in business?
-Are you a member of a Homebuilders association?
-What is your Warranty program?
-What is your post completion warranty and service policy?
-Do you have contractors general liability insurance and Work safe registration? Get copies.

4. Meet each Builder at their office:

-Make introductions; identify how you heard about their company.
-Do you have a regular team of subcontractors?
-Do you have an in-house framing crew, or do you use framing subcontractors?
-Which tradesmen do you have on staff and what are their qualifications?
-Can we visit one of your current work sites?
-Will you provide us the names and contact information for your last 3 clients?
-Provide a set of preliminary drawings or completed construction drawings.
-Provide all the specifications you have compiled so far.
-Note how the builder communicates:
-How well does he or she listen?
-Does he answer questions satisfactorily? Does he put you at ease?
-Can you work with this person on a valuable 6-month project?
-Do you do Cost-plus contracts?
-Describe the building process and who on your staff handles various responsibilities?
-How do you manage, share and track communications with your clients?
-How do you manage, store and share the vast amount of information required for a custom project?

5. Contact the Builders 2 or 3 most recent clients:

-Did they complete the Project on Time? If not why?
-Did they complete the Project on Budget? If not why and how much was due to client changes and how much was due to other factors?
-Is the workmanship of High Quality? Can we see your project?
-Did they keep the job site tidy and safe?
-Were the tradesmen courteous?
-Were the tradesmen careful with the owner’s property and materials?
-How quickly did they respond to communications and problems?

6. Visit each builder’s projects:

-Visit an active construction site;
-Note tidiness, tradesmen, storage of materials etc.
-Visit completed projects:
-Note quality of workmanship, fit and finish, paint finish, joinery etc.

7. Visit builders preferred supply showrooms:

-Set up appointments with builder’s contacts.
-Bring plans for reference.
-Make preliminary selections, have the supplier forward these on to the builders.
-This will really help you know what you are getting.

8. Meet with successful builder to award the building contract:

-Contact the builder who is your first choice.
-Who is my primary contact for this project?
-What is our site-meeting schedule and policy?
-How are showroom allowances handled and invoiced?
-How many projects do you normally run at a time?
-How many projects will you have on during our project?
-What are your projected start and completion dates?
-Ask for projected start and completion dates.
-Sign the contract and provide the deposit.

Testimonials


  • "K2’s record for delivering the construction “trifecta”: Cost, Quality, Schedule was proven again on our project."
    Mark and Lisa Liudzius

  • "K2's transparent business model, which included convenient, interactive software and weekly progress meetings, kept us informed and involved."
    Paul Hagler and Carol Boliek

  • "They guided us and offered incredible advice along the way that made the process of building our home feel secure and enjoyable."
    Bridger and Lulu Schmidt

  • "In a time where building costs went out of control due to Covid, K2 brought us home on time and on budget."
    Michael and Jacqui Hamilton

  • "We are very honoured to be able to speak on behalf of K2 and their sub trades; They excel in every aspect of a construction project!"
    David and Lynn George

  • "K2’s attention to detail and workmanship is second to none, as are their organizational and communication skills."
    Wayne and Maureen Moore

  • "The communication throughout the entire project was very clear, organized and efficient. The on-line system was absolutely fantastic"
    Mark Sanders and Laura McLean

  • "Seamless customer support and cross collaboration between K2 members also ensured the project stayed on budget and schedule."
    Drew and Jane Cudlip

  • "If you want a first class builder, then K2 is the go-to builder for you."
    Dr Graham Fishburne

  • "Both the process and the end result confirmed for us that we made the right choice. Our house was delivered on time and on budget, and we love the finished product."
    Robert and Lee Bowman