Just like the perfect blending of old-meets-new in its heritage restorations, Marino General Contracting combines the best of both worlds in its business practices
As seen in... Profiles of Excellence 2017
When it comes to choosing a general contractor or construction company , it can often be a coin-toss between an established, trusted name and a cool new company with innovation and vision. But wouldn’t it be great if you could have both?
The Marino name has been in the construction industry for five generations, and Marino General Contracting has been serving Vancouver for 28 years. Evidence of the company’s history is visible both in the keepsakes in the office – founder Joe Marino has his father’s tool belt and grandfather’s hammer on display – and in the quality old-meets-new work that is gaining the firm plenty of awards attention.
For 28 years, Marino GC has been focused on local, referral-based business, with word of mouth and great testimonials keeping the team busy. But in a dynamic Vancouver real estate market, in transitioning from old methods to new, Marino GC has expanded from the tight-knit West Side neighbourhood they live in, into servicing the entire region, from West Vancouver to White Rock.
And now, taking the business to the next level is Joe’s son Steve Marino, a UC Berkeley graduate with a background in Mandarin, project management and political economy who has grown through the ranks of the company. Steve started in the family business as a labourer on the firm’s The Gables project, and has risen to become a key member of the management team, offering a new level of sophistication and innovation as the next generation of the company.
Steve explains, “Coming from an atypical construction background, I've used my work experience and education to help streamline our business, improve communication between all parties, and continue a company culture that prides itself on being top notch.”
With all these changes comes a new outward-facing approach, with the company entering the awards circuit for the first time. Up for four Georgie Awards this year is The Gables, an amazing restoration of a heritage mansion – and a big awards success last year was Marino’s Kitsilano Dreaming project, which is part of this year’s Georgie Awards as well.
But it’s not about accolades – deep within Marino’s company philosophy is a belief that excellence starts with the smallest of details. There is a culture of mindfulness and pride in working for a company that has an uncompromising mandate of providing the highest level of customer service and building standards. As Steve adds, “Valuing client needs and objectives necessitates a respect for the everyday actions that define project success”– a fact that his company has never forgotten.
Contact
- 604-266-1921
- [email protected]
- www.marinogc.com
- instagram.com/marinoltd
Years in the business: 27 and counting
Number of employees: 15 employees and 15-20 subtrades
Award nominations and wins:
- Won: Houzz Best of Customer Service 2017
- Nominated: Georgie Awards 2017 – Renovator of the Year, Best Outdoor Living Space, two nominations in Best Renovation $800k and Over.
Most proud of: Working with and serving our community, and renovating and building dream homes for clients.
