COURTENAY – There have been many changes for J. Zsiros Contracting since it’s founding in 2005 – changes in staffing, changes in technology, changes in regulations, changes in customer needs and preferences – about the only thing that hasn’t changed is its desire to deliver the best product possible – regardless of size or scale every single time.
“There’s no question that we’ve definitely come a long way, and now with my sons Rob and Ryan working with the company we’re planning for where we’ll be going in the future,” explained company founder and owner Jim Zsiros.
GreenBuilt™ and energy efficient, each project completed by J. Zsiros Contracting is a legacy that will serve the client for generations.
A multi-award winning, fully certified Net Zero Home and BuiltGreen™ construction firm, J. Zsiros Contracting is a leading custom home builder, and a regional pioneer and advocate for energy efficient home design. No cookie-cutter designs here as each Zsiros project is unique and one-of-a-kind; each project crafted to meet the individual needs, tastes and budget of the homeowner.
“When it comes to building your dream home, you get to control the layout, size, design, scope, and energy efficient integrations that matter the most to your lifestyle. We work with you to deliver the best solutions for your family needs, both now and down the road. Our expertise as Green Builders on Vancouver Island means we’re uniquely suited to help you turn your vision into a reality,” he said.
The interior of each Zsiros home is as beautiful and as energy efficient as the property’s exterior – part of the firm’s construction philosophy.
While it’s true the company has been involved over the years in building select smaller scale commercial projects, it’s focus and its passion has always been with creating distinctive and energy efficient high-end single-family homes, and with residential renovation projects which, depending on the extent of the reno can be as complex as fashioning a new build project. During the past 20 plus years J. Zsiros Contracting has crafted many of the finest and best-built single-family residences throughout the North Central Vancouver Island region.
“We are in a definite transition phase, I can see a time in the next few years where I’ll be stepping back increasingly from the business, with my son Rob taking over more of the administrative duties. Where it’s going now Rob will become a partner in the company, he has the background and frankly the interest to become a partner in the next couple of years. My hope is that over the next six to seven years he will have taken over much of it – with me playing a lessor role in the day-to-day operations,” he said.
More than a home builder, Jim Zsiros is also highly active in helping to guide the provincial and national home building industry through his participation in the operations of the Canadian Home Builder’s Association (CHBA). By being able to step away from the direct operation of the company he can increase his commitment to the overall industry, working with industry and all levels of government to help shape building codes and policies for tomorrow’s builders.
That focus, on strengthening the industry rather than merely his own company’s health, has been a huge part of Jim Zsiros’ personal philosophy right from the bringing. As a certified ‘Built Green’ builder his entire team actively participate in all ongoing educational opportunities provided by the CHBA to ensure it remains up to date with the latest developments and innovations both on the construction side, and on the legal and regulatory side of the industry. He passionately believes that by staying ahead of the curve in terms of techniques and materials the company’s clients can be assured of getting homes that are as energy efficient and comfortable as they are beautiful.
Son Ryan Zsiros currently works with the company as a carpenter, but as the firm grows is expected to assume a more supervisory role.
“My son Ryan is also active with the business. He’s currently a carpenter and finisher, but as Rob becomes more involved, he’ll be working more in terms of site supervision with the trades – that’s what his role will become as we move forward,” Zsiros explained.
Quality is a hallmark of every J. Zsiros Contracting project, with a thoughtful fit and finish found throughout every home they build.
Working on projects from Campbell River to Qualicum, over to Port Alberni, on Hornby Island and of course throughout the Comox Valley J. Zsiros Contracting has grown dramatically over the years – but not by diminishing its passion for GreenBuilt construction. “I’d rather do less projects but keep the quality and what’s important to how we build our homes, that’s the legacy I want to see as we evolve. People remember the good things you do not how much money you make,” he stated.
Rob Zsiros is expected to be playing a much larger administrative role with the company in the coming years.
“For me I’ve found that I was lucky to have family willing to go along that path. Rob eight or nine years ago wasn’t ready, so he went to Alberta as the opportunities at the time were better there. While there he grew, and over time recognized the value of the business we’\d built here. I’d had offers over the years to sell the company, but he decided he wanted to stop working for wages and instead to come back and do this, coming back in February of this year and since that time has been rock-solid – helping to create the best year we’ve had in many years.”
Looking towards tomorrow Zsiros envisions a company adaptive to changing rules, willing to embrace new technologies, experienced in all construction methodologies and skilled enough to train new generations of homebuilders to replace those who have retired or moved onto other opportunities.
“There are lot of good young people coming into the industry who are doing a really good job. The younger generation of people coming into the trades need the time to figure out what they want to be, but its like with anything else if they have the passion and they want to make a difference it’s there,” he said.
