By Irene Jones
By Irene Jones
It could be reasoned that if one wants fine, finished carpentry work that reflects custom Old World charm, one must hire a refined, gentleman carpenter trained in Europe. Such reasoning, no doubt, has made Berto VanVeen one of the most sought-after general contractors for custom homes on the South/Central Coast. He insists on doing all the finish carpentry work himself and the finished product has such quality that he has never lacked for work.
Based in Orcutt as Berto vanVeen Construction, Berto is definitely a soft-spoken gentleman. And though he has worked in construction since he was 15, the initial impression he gives is one of refinement and confidence. Trained in Holland as a carpenter, he became very serious about his work early and by the time he came to California in his mid-twenties, he was already a successful craftsman and businessman.
Being goal-oriented is one of the best ways Berto knows of maintaining success in whatever occupation one chooses. He says he learned this by experience. He initially came to California from Holland without a goal and didn't find success when he went looking for work. After he went back to Holland and reminded himself about why he was choosing to immigrate to America, he became more focused on his goals and his second trip became his last. He came to stay and brought his family with him, which made all the difference in finding success.
Born and raised in Holland, Berto decided to be a carpenter as a teenager and entered a specialized trade school as an apprentice. He worked with a big firm in Holland after he finished his schooling. Because construction in Holland turned toward concrete rather than wood, he came to the United States to see if the industry here was better. It was. His wife, Betty, is a native of California, so they selected the South/Central Coast for their new home. They have two daughters in college.
Berto credits Holland's excellent apprenticeship program for giving him the skills he needed to be a successful finish carpenter on the South/Central Coast. After coming to California, he worked as a subcontractor and supervisor before obtaining his general contractor's license and starting his own business. Since then, for two decades, through all the economic slumps and booms, Berto has maintained a constant flow of jobs and projects.
"One of the reasons we are doing so well is because we always are trying to do quality work, no matter the size of the job," says Berto. "We are consistent, open and honest, and up front with our customers, no matter if it is a small job, a room addition, a whole home, or a commercial job. People like that. All my work has come through recommendation and I have built my reputation that way for twenty years."
He adds that a general contractor is only as good as the people with whom he works. "You are only as good as the people with whom you surround yourself," he explains. "I've always been good to my subs and they, in return, have been very loyal to me." He also maintains that a contractor cannot be the best and the cheapest. "I hire the best, most skilled craftsmen for jobs. If someone wants a cheaper price, they will end up hiring someone with less experience and skill and it makes a big difference in the finished product."
Berto's finished product, especially his finish carpentry, can be seen in custom homes from Carpinteria to Shell Beach. He currently has seven homes in progress, two more in preliminary plans and does commercial projects as well. He recently completed several churches, including the fine finish carpentry inside. His latest expertise is in steel, especially steel framing for commercial jobs. He expects, because of the lower cost of steel products and its great strength and durability, that it soon will be used widely in most construction, even housing. "Steel adds to the creativity of a job," he says. "Steel construction is still coming into its own and will soon be integrated into the industry."
He also enjoys being creative and designing homes and floor plans for clients to build. Often people come to him with ideas and they start from the beginning, checking the lot for morning and evening sun, zoning requirements, and how the client wants the home to look when finished. He refers architects and engineers and after six or eight months, the home is completed and his clients are his friends, recommending him to their friends and relatives. "I worked as a supervisor and carpenter for a wonderful general [contractor] in Lompoc when I first came here and he told me that people won't give you a chance to take advantage of them twice. He said to always do the job right and do your best the first time and you will never have to worry about your next job. I've tried to model that philosophy and it has brought me great benefits.
"When I do a job, I make sure it's the best for the money. I don't have someone else do a job that I can do better. They have hired me to do the job and I'm the one that going to do the job. That's very important. I'm not going to stretch myself out and try to do too many jobs. I'm not going to let the quality suffer by being too busy to do it right," he explains.
But he hasn't been too busy to keep himself informed about construction and the community. Because he wanted to be aware of the local trade, and changes in the industry as a whole, he joined local builders' organizations and has served as president of the Lompoc Valley Contractors' Association and the Santa Maria Contractors' Association.
"I find my work very gratifying," he continues. "It's always a challenge and there is a satisfaction when it's finished that's unlike any other feeling. I feel extremely happy when someone refers to a house that I've built as their "home" That's very positive feedback. It has nothing to do with money. It makes the work fun. I never know what's around the corner, but projects just keep coming and it's nice to be here, working and helping people." It is this mindset that continues to bring business to a soft-spoken, gentle general contractor who's own finish carpentry work is the epitome of Old World craftsmanship and quality.
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