The Comfort Factor
CBS Construction Services achieves something special for appreciative clients and residents alike
On both sides of a building’s “Grand Opening,” CBS Construction Services, Inc. (CBS) achieves a true comfort level with developers and architects, as well as building occupants.
This general contractor based in Champlin, Minnesota, has built a reputation of being uniquely accommodating. Whether it’s about fulfilling the owner’s needs with the project budget at a competitive rate; solving construction problems that others can’t; minimizing change orders; or building in value, comfort, functionality and quality—CBS aims to please.
Perhaps that’s a result of its strong presence in the multifamily housing and senior housing areas, where property is not just a built space, but also a home. The company also constructs new commercial, transitional care and dental facilities as well as remodels and renovates for both profit and nonprofit owners and developers.
“Our goal of ‘Building Value With Integrity’ is backed by years of exemplary service, resulting in many repeat clients,” says CEO and Founder Rob Borchardt, who began the business in 1992. “CBS delivers on its promise to be competitively priced, user-friendly, honest to a fault, capable problem-solvers and a trusted partner.”
Together with President Stuart Bestul, the company of 30 employees operates in a culture that values experience, teamwork, good communication and service.
In the Know
Ken Hinz, Senior Project Manager, adds that what is especially interesting is that the CBS team runs on a balance of employee independence, trust and accountability, as well as experience and the special knowledge that the individuals provide.
“With our experience, we know how to build buildings correctly—and we express this to potential clients,” Hinz says. “What makes us unique is we’re out there doing an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and we minimize change orders to job site conditions, city changes, and upgrades or owner changes to the project. We have special people with incredible work ethics. We care.”
Examples include the company’s salvaging of an Ames, Iowa, project when the original budget came back with an unexpectedly high price tag, which effectively killed the project. CBS quickly returned a bid that saved the client millions of dollars while maintaining the design intent and quality of the project. That kept the project alive and landed them the job. CBS was pleased to be able to accommodate the client’s budget and project goals—this was certainly a win-win for both the developer and CBS.
In another instance, the company took a proactive step in creating a solution for the frequent waterproofing problems that come with a difficult structural design in the Midwest region. CBS brought a new product to its market to keep water out of basements. Another advantage in the marketplace for CBS Construction Services is being well-focused.
“We don’t do 20 different types of construction; we focus on what we do best,” says Hinz.
The company originally focused on commercial building and remodeling including multiple movie theaters, but early on the requests for senior living properties proved to be a good fit, especially since the region would draw many senior housing projects in the coming years.
“We did a couple and we were good at it,” Hinz says.
Living Proof
The senior niche drew CBS in—and the team sharpened its knowledge to excel in the category.
The company has the credentials to handle the range of specialties associated with senior housing, including construction of large 250,000-square-foot-plus, multistory complexes and adherence to senior housing codes related to accessibility, mechanical, electric, ventilation and programming in general. All of this attention to detail enhances the comfort level of property owners by ensuring the day-to-day safety and comfort of their residents.
Interestingly, senior housing construction is not a one-size-fits-all prospect. Property types include facilities specializing in memory care, transitional care, skilled care and assisted living. CBS skillfully and strategically navigated the distinctions of each in such a way to earn the reputation of being a key contractor in the region to meet these needs.
Today, CBS builds as many as eight to 10 senior living projects per year, making up over 70% of its work. The company’s list of completed projects includes: Saint Therese of Woodbury in Woodbury, Minnesota; Eagle Crest South in La Crosse, Wisconsin; Woodland Hill of Hudson, Wisconsin; Founders Ridge of Bloomington, Minnesota; and the Interlude WestHealth transitional care facility in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Yet another point of differentiation is CBS’ tried-and-true familiarity with wood-framed construction, a preferred method for residential properties for reasons of cost, familiarity and construction flexibility. It’s another aspect of achieving that comfort level for its clients.
“Many other companies are not as accomplished with wood structure buildings,” Hinz says.
Good Work Appreciated
CBS has also been recognized repeatedly for excellence in other areas of its work. Projects of note include Sprouts Pediatric Dentistry of Hugo, Minnesota, a 4,520-square-foot office produced for Finnegan Holdings, LLC and designed by The Foundation Architects; 5 Central Apartments in Osseo, Minnesota, a 71-unit residential community designed by Momentum Design Group and developed by The Beard Group, Inc. and Lunski, Inc.; and the Vadnais Heights Community Center and Public Works—better known as Vadnais Heights Commons—in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Designed by Oertel Architects, Ltd., it includes community space and city service offices as well as a fire station.
CBS not only garners praise from its peers and the public, but has also received various awards. For example, Saint Therese of Woodbury was named the Best Senior Housing Project in Minnesota by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal in 2017. “The building turned out beautiful and exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend CBS Construction to anyone in the senior care field,” comments Barb Rode, President and CEO of Saint Therese.
On the campus of St. Catherine University, Our Lady of Victory Chapel’s exterior restoration brought CBS, as a co-recipient, an Achievement Award from the St. Paul, Minnesota, Heritage Preservation Commission in 2001. The work by CBS also integrated with the holy structure’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The company is also a proud supporter of numerous charitable and community endeavors. These include The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Special Olympics Minnesota, Walker Methodist Foundation’s 5K/10K run and walk, and LeadingAge, just to mention a few. CBS sponsors major events for these and other causes as well as annual golf tournament fundraisers for many nonprofit organizations.
By being active in LeadingAge—both the Minnesota and Iowa chapters—and other nonprofit organizations, CBS exhibits its close and meaningful involvement in the senior housing arena, which provides support for the type of affordable and market-rate, high-quality construction that sets the company apart.