As the construction boom continues to develop not only new buildings but also older ones in these Islands, it is refreshing to note that many of our developers have a very good eye for detail and who have a strong drive for restoration in the way they look at their role in development.
So, with this in mind, we, at Design and Build, felt that it was time we delved deeper into this question and to talk to someone locally on how this concept can be implemented profitably and stably for the growth of local businesses.
Today’s chat is with Lawrence Vassallo of V&M Contracting Ltd, a man whose heart is clearly dedicated to preserving the history and grandeur of old city residences and places but also linked to the re-construction of new homes that also replicate the historic architecture of their time.
It is always interesting to discover the traits of the people who are leading the local development drive and what their deepest wishes really are. Lawrence Vassallo has a cv that clearly mixes a number of different disciples together that definitely make for a business leader with drive.
For starters he was a former teacher of Italian, a former Planning Authority enforcement officer, and a former customer-care official dealing with people’s everyday problems and trying to find a solution for them; he clearly knows what could risk enforcement in development… “and I have a blessing of having in-depth knowledge of both sides of the world of my current business. How things have to be and how to play by the rules of the game. Especially respecting them too,” he added.
“Our commitment as V&M Contracting extends beyond the renovation of a single building or project, to the redevelopment of neighbourhoods. We strive to understand each vicinity’s objectives. And we work closely with residents, other developers and local agencies in maintaining a strong sense of community and to secure the overall success of our projects. We are extremely proud to have taken on some of Malta’s historic sites, as well as marvelous, yet previously neglected or unwanted projects.
We have also successfully redeveloped abandoned shells into grand new homes,” he explained. “Whether your desire is to live in a historically restored or a custom-built home, to experience a high-quality and trouble-free service, V&M is your answer,” he matter-of-factly added.
The company was originally named V&M Turnkey Ltd and although the name initially had a different meaning it is still close to Lawrence’s heart as it now links the family surname with the introduction of his son Matthias into the company as one of its budding project managers. “Mathias is very much involved in the company’s management,” added Lawrence. In a way, we see this as the laying of the foundations for the future continuation of the company.
The company was set up some eight years ago and was intended, from the outset, to be concentrated on providing finishing services. But the company quickly evolved into a 360 degree provider of services. Among these were – and are – restoration, internal and external finishings and general construction work too.
V&M Contracting has its own team of hand-picked subcontractors who provide the backbone of the company’s services. In this way their continuous collaboration on different jobs helps build a close collaborative relationship which then also ensures that the required standards are not only reached, but also maintained for the client’s benefit and peace of mind.
It quickly becomes clear that Lawrence focuses almost obsessively on operational efficiency and their quality of service and output. “Naturally,” he added, “costings are a major issue and a contractor must always see both the company’s point of view as well as that of the clients themselves.
we work closely with residents, other developers and local agencies in maintaining a strong sense of community and to secure the overall success of our projects
“We also have an inhouse office setup that looks after the administration of the overall cost management structure; the comparison of prices, the choice of materials for the final quality and for the client to get good value for its money being invested in the project involved. This goes hand-in hand with their negotiations with our suppliers and sub contractees.”
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
One of the advantages the company offers is that V&M keeps adequate stock facilities in Ghaxaq which is also where it keeps it extensive scaffolding and its various other materials. Lawrence tells us that keeping their materials within the same facilities as their tools, albeit organised in a highly structured and organised manner, facilitates the speed of service and operational efficiency “a great deal”. Lawrence made it clear that with today’s business climate, which has been very strongly influenced by the Covid pandemic all over the world, followed by the Ukrainian crisis, most if not all materials’ prices have spiked, and continue to spike, sometimes overnight. So, whilst Lawrence has ensured that V&M’s ample warehousing facilities are brimmed with their needed materials, he explained “we have an open and clear relationship with our clients on such matters, especially if there are sudden or unexpected increases in costs during a project’s life span. A lot then depends on the relationship we have with the client on how to tackle the situation that would have arisen and to move forward. We always aim to remain as flexible as possible especially when it comes to the billing of quantities (BOQ).“
I come from a background of customer care, and client satisfaction is by far my predominant motivating factor
THE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH
Lawrence added that client perceptions are another area one has to tackle in the customer-company relationship. “Clients tend to look at companies like ours as being the same, especially since they perceive us as mostly offering similar services and therefore operating in the same way.
But this generalisation can be rather frustrating for us sometimes as it is, in fact, not the case, especially in our regards. I come from a background of customer care, and client satisfaction is by far my predominant motivating factor. We don’t just do business for business’ sake. We want to see our work creating satisfactory solutions to the clients’ expectations.”
Lawrence focuses almost obsessively on operational efficiency and their quality of service and output
Another of the interesting points that Lawrence raised was the interacting relationship with the key professionals in a project, such as the architects. “There has to be both mutual respect and an strong element of collaboration between us…. and that’s important so that we can keep the projects moving online. This relationship must be ongoing and from both ends,” he added.
Most of his own front-line workers – about 20 in all (which figure also includes back office staff) – are his direct employees, such as masons and restorers, although he also uses different sub-contractors for certain other areas of the project such as excavations. “The choice of who to employ is usually made through the experience we have gained over these years as to what makes a good employee for our requirements and work ethic…. as well as our gut feeling!” he explained.
The presence of his project manager and himself on-site is an important element of ensuring that all the projects move on the right quality and time binaries, as well as to oversee any unexpected situations.
Restoration is his most loved working. “I absolutely love it! And when a restoration project is finished it is the part that gives me the most satisfaction with what we achieved. Restoration is not construction. It’s beautiful! It’s also something of value; something that was not so nice to look at initially has now been transformed and returned to its former glory.”
Lawrence strongly believes that we should focus more of this kind of restoration work in our country, giving it the importance of safeguarding the beautiful past we possessed. “We should make it a point to restore as much of our heritage as possible whilst striving ahead with our development objectives,” he adamantly insists.
Lawrence is particularly proud of the recently completed renovation of the old Augustinian chapel of St Rita in Paceville. “That was a very tough project, as was the brief we were given. This also included the need to renovate and rematch the roofs of the old dome,” he explained.
We should make it a point to restore as much of our heritage as possible whilst striving ahead with our development objectives
The site was overlaid by the newly built five-star superior 151-room Hyatt Regency Malta, and the Augustinian Fathers’ aim with St Rita’s was to combine modern architecture with Maltese heritage; to seamlessly morph the past and present, aiming to bring calm to this city centre. “I think we have achieved that request exceptionally well!” he proudly told us.
The presence of his project manager and himself on-site is an important element of ensuring that all the projects move on the right quality and time binaries
Lawrence explained that there are various stages, and initially site visits are required to ascertain the existing situation and to see how the proposed works would come together to reach the expected final stage.
This is probably the most important stage of the whole project, one that typically takes at least three weeks to complete since it is when they assess and plan in detail all the stages, to ensure a clear picture is obtained. V&M Contracting then conduct a number of trials, and this is followed by the architects who help ensure that no inadvertent mishaps may arise during works. “After that, there really is no going back. We do our homework well. The project then progresses forth almost autonomously!” He added that should problems surface later then “they have to be faced and solved. At whatever cost. Because it is not always about the money, it’s about the quality of service and the client satisfaction in the end.”
Comment