At Okanagan Contractors, we believe that a good client/contractor fit is built on relationship. This is why we ask every one of the participating contractors questions about who they are and what they are about.
Our introduction blogs are here to help get that relationship started.
This is a Q&A article from our new partner Dan Byl of All In Contracting.
Q: Tell us about you and your company.
A: We are a small general contractor, we started in 2018 and have been working in the Okanagan since then. We focus on residential interior renovations, tenant improvements and commercial services.
My name is Dan Byl, I am the owner, I have been in construction since 2002, got my red seal in carpentry and spent till 2018 working throughout the industry learning everything I could. We value client education and doing projects right. I think the number one thing past clients would say about us is that we do not cut corners, and we are super honest.
Q: What do you love or get you excited about in your industry?
A: I love construction, there is something about being able to drive throughout the Okanagan and point out projects I have worked on to my kids. There is an amazing sense of satisfaction that comes from building something tangible every single day. The other part of the industry that I love is how much it is constantly evolving, with new technologies, methods and products that we get access to from all over the world. And lastly, it sounds cheesy but I love taking something old and turning it into something new that clients are excited about.
Q: Why did you start your business?
A: After nearly 16 years working for other businesses I got to the point that I felt I could offer a service that was going to be high quality and put the clients first. I am not sure I planned on starting my own business but the opportunity showed up and with some support from a mentor I took it. I wanted to focus on the projects I loved and not have to keep working on projects that didn’t get me excited.
Q: What are your favourite types of projects?
A: My favourite types of projects are the ones where we take something old and make it something amazing. It is why I focus on renovations, they are super challenging, always have really interesting problems to solve and you get to see a real transformation at the end.
Q: What is one of the biggest misconceptions in your industry?
A: I think the biggest misconception is that anyone can do renovations. It takes a really special kind of person to be able to solve the problems that arise, understand the intricacies of how old and new building systems work together, and bring these things together in a seamless way. I spend a lot of my day working with experts to figure out how we are going to create a safe and comfortable space for our clients.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to a homeowner?
A: Hire a professional, every home is a larger system with multiple smaller systems inside it. And not understanding how they work together causes massive problems. We spend probably close to 30% of our time doing renovations that involve repairs to a home because a homeowner did their own renovation at some point in the past.
Q: How are you different from your competitors?
A: We really care. I honestly get invested in seeing my clients successful. I think our clients see that in the work we do, and how we do it.
Q: What’s your favourite hobby outside of work?
A: Fishing, my happy place is waist-deep in a river with a fly rod. Being out in nature away from the city, and focused on what is right in front of me, exploring and experimenting.
Last words?
We look forward to connecting with folks who want to renovate their homes or businesses and want to do it right. We want to help people build something that is going to last for as long as they want to keep using it.
Do you have a project that you would like help with?
Contact this Verified Okanagan Contractor today.
