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The view is flawless. The math isn’t. From the BuildX Vancouver floor, we dig into how a supplier can hit a record year while the broader market stumbles—and what that says about the next chapters for construction in British Columbia. Our guest from Midland Appliances pulls back the curtain on the orders behind the headlines: why luxury renovations still move, how long lead times lock decisions years ahead, and where multifamily projects are quietly flipping from condos to rental. If you’ve wondered how spec packages evolve when demand shifts mid-build, this conversation lays it out with zero fluff.

We explore the “wrong product at the wrong time” problem—micro condos slipping while buyers trade up into better layouts—and the way downtown’s fading street life complicates absorption even as the skyline stays postcard-perfect. The operational realities are blunt: two parallel spec paths per project, a tangle of change orders, and a procurement team living in contingency mode. Yet relationships and focus matter more than ever; teams that specialize, serve core clients, and align with premium brands are protecting volume and trust.

We also face the policy and cost stack that squeezes proformas: materials and labor up, financing tight, and rising fees that can add tens of thousands per unit. That’s how cranes disappear by 2027–2028—not from lack of vision, but from projects that no longer pencil. Still, there’s practical optimism. Well-capitalized, vertically integrated developers are advancing, rental demand is real, and suppliers who plan for dual outcomes can deliver in both markets. If leadership reduces friction, fast-tracks approvals, and right-sizes fees, Vancouver’s building engine can find traction again.

Listen for grounded insights on condo-to-rental pivots, downtown demand, procurement strategy, and what it takes to keep sites active when the cycle turns. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a review so more builders and suppliers can join the conversation.

midlandappliance.com

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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We explore how construction can close the gap between field expertise and business execution as AI accelerates change. Chris shares a candid path from project manager to GC to educator, laying out practical steps to protect margins, grow teams, and build resilient firms.

• AI as a copilot for estimating, not a replacement
• why labor shortages persist in hot markets
• field-to-executive pathways that actually work
• lightweight PM habits that lift margin
• standardizing takeoffs and tracking earned value
• subcontractor entrepreneurship and scalable growth
• branding challenges and the case for the trades
• using plan reading and specifications to prevent rework
• how admin automates while trades endure
• selecting high-potential leaders and separating roles

Contractor Training Center is our website so contractortrainingcenter.com … please connect with Chris Clausing on LinkedIn … give Chris a call or instant message on LinkedIn

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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The skyline looks the same, but the rules have changed. We sit down with Dan from Reliance Properties to unpack what really moves leases in Vancouver right now—from AAA towers with destination-worthy amenities to character spaces that trade polish for soul and identity. Dan has lived the market from both sides, brokering deals and now operating a deep downtown portfolio, so the takeaways are pragmatic: tenants buy outcomes, not square footage.

We dig into the friction between short terms and real tenant improvements, and why portfolio breadth can de-risk growth by enabling credible mid-lease relocations. Modular buildouts and raised access floors aren’t just buzz; they’re how landlords recover TI dollars across multiple cycles while giving teams faster paths to occupancy. We tackle the co-working conundrum too. Yes, the per-desk cost stings, but flexibility, community, and turnkey execution are invaluable when your headcount horizon is foggy. For many, the smartest footprint blends a long-term core with elastic project space.

Culture and training keep surfacing as the differentiators that laptops can’t replace. Mentorship travels poorly over scheduled calls, and young talent learns by osmosis as much as instruction. Technology helps—Matterport tours and digital stacks streamline search—but deals still click on site, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the space doing half the selling. We also look ahead: AI could supercharge productivity, spawn new space types, or push conversions like data centers. At the same time, construction costs, carrying costs, and permitting delays still strain feasibility, while retail vacancies hint at broader civic drag that leadership and policy must confront.

If you care about how offices earn their keep—attracting talent, signalling brand, and making hard work feel easier—this conversation is a field guide. Hit play, share it with a teammate who’s rethinking their footprint, and if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would genuinely get you back in the building?

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit