We partner with innovators to build spaces where revolutionary ideas flourish
Whether it's an animal sanctuary, biotech lab, corporate campus, academic institution, athletic facility, or historic renovation, we're flexible in our approach – never in our commitment to excellence.
Our Services
With deep experience across diverse sectors, Vance Brown Builders excels in pre-construction, value engineering, and flexible project management tailored to each client’s needs.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety and quality, as evidenced by our continued recognition with the CEA Safety Award nearly every year since 2005.
01
Pre-Construction
Pre-Construction services are critical preliminary planning and engineering services that support owners, architects, and engineers in making informed decisions before construction begins. At Vance Brown Builders, our pre-construction services leverage our 90+ years of construction experience to provide comprehensive project evaluation, feasibility analysis, and strategic planning.
Vance Brown’s unique expertise includes both traditional pre-construction experience, as well as atypical G.C. assistance, including feasibility, entitlements, reliable budgeting with limited project drawings/documents, and permit procurement. Our Pre-Construction team conducts thorough conceptual estimating, value engineering, and constructability analysis to optimize project design and budget. We work collaboratively with design teams to identify potential issues early, create accurate cost projections, and develop realistic project schedules. Our extensive relationships with qualified subcontractors and suppliers enable us to provide reliable pricing and procurement strategies that keep projects on track and within budget.
02
Design / Build
Design / Build is an integrated project delivery method where Vance Brown provides both design and construction services under one contract, thus streamlining collaboration and communication throughout the project lifecycle. We offer comprehensive design-build services that eliminate the traditional barriers between design and construction phases.
Vance Brown’s Design / Build approach provides clients with a single point of responsibility and accountability, faster project delivery, and enhanced cost control. By involving our construction expertise early in the design process, we can provide real-time feedback on constructibility, material selection, and cost implications, and quality control, resulting in more efficient design processes, reduced cost exposure and minimal schedule impacts. This collaborative methodology has proven particularly effective for tenant improvements, site development, and institutional projects.
03
General Contracting
A general contractor is responsible for overseeing a construction project from start to finish, managing day-to-day operations, coordinating with subcontractors, and ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and in accordance with stakeholder requirements. Vance Brown Builders brings decades of general contracting expertise to every project, having successfully completed a wide array of project types, including infrastructure, historical renovations, custom residential estates, hospitality, high-tech & lab facilities, sports facilities, housing, and major university educational facilities.
Our General Contracting services encompass comprehensive project management, including bid management, subcontractor coordination, schedule adherence, quality control, and safety management. We serve as the primary point of contact between clients and all project stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, informed decision-making, and accountability throughout the construction process. Our proven track record includes notable projects like Stanford Football Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Research Development North American Headquarters, Stanford Escondido Village Graduate Housing, and numerous high-tech office and R&D facilities in the greater Bay Area.
We’re here to build your vision
We're flexible in our approach, never in our commitment to excellence.
04
Self-Performed Work
Self-Perform Construction involves using the contractor's own skilled workforce to complete specific trades rather than subcontracting work to external specialists. Vance Brown Builders maintains skilled craftspeople across multiple trades, allowing us to self-perform critical scope items and maintain greater control over project quality, schedule, and costs.
Once project drawings and documents have been adequately developed for subcontractor bidding, Vance Brown identifies scopes of work that our workforce can appropriately complete. We issue bids for those scopes with a lower fee than typical subcontractors, often resulting in savings to the owner.
Our Self-Perform capabilities include demolition, concrete work, rough and finish carpentry, framing, drywall, and specialized installations. This approach provides enhanced flexibility in manpower resources, improved schedule control, enhanced quality assurance, and better integration with overall project goals. By utilizing our own skilled workforce for key activities, we can respond quickly to design changes, maintain consistent quality standards, and ensure that critical path activities stay on schedule while reducing a portion of the subcontractor fee markup.
05
Sustainable Building
Sustainable Building involves creating healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings that provide environmental stewardship, social wellness, enhanced productivity, lower operating costs, and profitability, often certified through programs like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Vance Brown Builders is committed to achieving and maintaining owner project requirements through sustainable construction practices, with experience delivering LEED-certified projects.
Vance Brown has delivered a plethora of projects with LEED Accreditation, as well as the first WELL Certified academic structure in the nation. We are well-versed in both leading sustainability documentation and assisting consultants in meeting clients’ goals.
Our Sustainable Building services encompass Basis of Design support, green design integration, energy-efficient systems, sustainable material selection, waste reduction, enhanced commissioning, and building certification support for LEED and other green building standards. We work closely with design teams to optimize building performance, reduce environmental impact, increase building lifecycle, and achieve sustainability goals while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Our experience includes numerous LEED Silver certified projects and ongoing commitment to sustainable construction practices across all project types.
06
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a comprehensive process of creating and managing intelligent, data-rich digital representations of a building's physical and functional characteristics, enabling enhanced collaboration, visualization, and data-driven decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Vance Brown Builders utilizes advanced BIM technology and processes to enhance project coordination and delivery. Our expertise in guiding subcontractor coordination leads to cost reduction in design and avoids field conflicts that typically impact schedule and costs.
Vance Brown’s BIM capabilities include 3D modeling, 4D scheduling integration, clash detection, quantity takeoffs, logistics, and collaborative project visualization. Using software platforms like AutoCAD, Navisworks, CostX, cmBuilder and Revit, we leverage BIM for estimating, preconstruction MEP coordination, and field coordination. This technology enables better team communication, design decisions, reduces conflicts and rework during construction, and provides clients with enhanced project visualization and understanding.
Vance Brown has been a valued general contractor for Stanford University for over 50 years, during which time, we have partnered on well over 300 projects. ”
– Ray M. Purpur, Deputy Director of Athletics, Stanford University
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Vance Brown have consistently sought to find the solution that was in the best interest of the Client. Whether it improved the schedule, saved money, or enhanced the quality of the project for the Client, Vance Brown always made customer satisfaction a priority. ”
– John Torres, Graniterock
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07
Construction Management
Construction Management is a professional service providing effective management of a project's schedule, cost, quality, safety, scope, and function, representing the client's interests throughout the project lifecycle. Vance Brown Builders offers comprehensive construction management services that serve as an extension of our client's staff.
Vance Brown’s Construction Management services include project planning, cost control, schedule management, quality assurance, contract administration, and safety oversight. We work collaboratively with clients from the early design phases through project completion, providing expert guidance and transparent cost management. Our construction managers bring extensive field experience and technical knowledge to ensure projects meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance.
08
Scheduling
Construction Scheduling involves the detailed planning, coordination, and timing of project tasks and activities to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Vance Brown Builders employs sophisticated scheduling methodologies to manage complex project timelines and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
Vance Brown’s approach includes extensive coordination with consultants, project managers, superintendents, and subcontractors. By leveraging subcontractor relationships during schedule development, we can create a holistic schedule that is both realistic and adhered to in the field.
Our scheduling services utilize advanced project management software, including P6, Microsoft Project and Smartsheets, to create detailed project schedules, track progress, and manage critical path activities. We develop comprehensive schedules that coordinate all aspects of construction, including material deliveries, subcontractor activities, inspections, and milestone achievements. Our experienced project managers continuously monitor and update schedules to proactively address scheduling liabilities and keep projects on track.
09
Health & Safety Management
Vance Brown’s Health & Safety Management services include comprehensive safety planning, regulatory compliance, documented safety training, and hazard analysis to manage risk effectively and faithfully execute jobsite inspections and audits. We integrate safety considerations into all aspects of project planning and implementation, from pre-construction safety reviews to daily jobsite safety management through certified subordinate supervisors, to ensure consistent safety standards across all project activities in agile methodology.
We’re known for adaptive excellence
Every project is unique, so we adapt our proven expertise to meet your specific needs while maintaining our unwavering commitment to excellence.
