Construction company sees business double

Philip A. Dwyer | PHILIP A. DWYER THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

• TIPS FOR APPLICANTS
  
  To improve your chances of getting hired:

  • Have a goal, particularly a career goal that links to the industry.
  • Provide good references.
  • Get experience in the industry.
  • Establish job stability with some longevity in previous employment.

  SOURCE: From Ron Faber, vice president
  
  Where to find job openings: The Bellingham Herald, print and online; CareerBuilder.com and AGC (Associated General Contractors of Washington) online, agcwa.com/public/jobsite/jobs.asp.
  
  ABOUT THE EMPLOYER
  
  Faber Brothers Construction
  131 E. Grover St.
  Lynden, WA 98264
  354-3500
  www.faberconstruction.com
  

The number of employees has risen to the 50-60 range, up about 10 in the same span, and another dozen could be added this year. Faber Brothers did 130 construction jobs in 2007, one of its largest numbers ever. The jobs ranged from $5,000 to multi-million-dollar projects like the ongoing Bakerview Square shopping center.

Ron and his brother Rick, the company's president, started the business out of Rick's garage in 1987. They did farm construction at the start, then moved into commercial steel building in the mid-'90s before diversifying into multiple kinds of construction.

The company has attracted bigger jobs, Ron Faber says, and a much greater variety since the decision to diversify. "The diversity of projects is what really interests a lot of (job applicants)," he says.

About 80 percent of the work comes through its design department and the remainder out on the bid market.

In hiring, Ron says, managers look for experience in the industry, community involvement and volunteerism and good team players.

"We have always tried to hire people," says Rick, "who could very well have greater strengths than we do ourselves."

Honesty is vital, too.

"Our staff needs to be honest in themselves, toward our clients, and each other," Rick says.

The company employs carpenters, laborers, superintendents, project managers, estimators, and design and office staff. The corps of 15-20 carpenters is the largest group and the one that fluctuates most, Ron says.

The range of pay for some jobs:

Laborers: Entry level begins around $11-$12 an hour.

Carpenters: $15 to $23 hourly.

Superintendents: $16-$18 up to $25 hourly.

Project managers: Salaried, from $50,000 up to six figures.

Most of the project managers have college degrees or have taken construction management courses, Ron says, "but we have some who have worked their way up."

While managers like to see highly motivated employees advance in the company, workers can stay where they're comfortable as long as they're productive.

"It has to go both ways," Ron says. "We're not going to force someone into a position they're not ready for."

A "dirt division" (site work) with five people was added last year, and growth is expected there. Recently, the hardest jobs to fill have been estimators with experience.

Turnover has not been a problem, with the majority of employees staying with the company for five or more years.

Work does have a seasonal factor, due to winter weather, and "three or four" laborers were laid off last year around Christmas, Ron says. But workers rarely have gotten bumped because of workload, especially when the company's growth is as substantial as it's been recently.

Employee perks include year-end profit sharing, a 401(k) plan and flexibility in time off.