Business Profile: Rovner Construction

Mike Rovner, the President and Founder of Mike Rovner Construction, Inc., ranks among California’s most prominent general contractors generating $60 million in annual revenues.

When word got out in 1992 that the construction firm’s innovative projects were completed on time and on budget – and impeccably operated by the relationship-driven Rovner — it went from one or two projects at a time to handling five or six.

Today, Rovner heads a statewide operation with 300 employees located in MRC offices throughout California, working with a client roster that boasts such construction industry leaders as Shapell Industries, G & K Management Co., Inc., The Irvine Company, Legacy Partners, La Salle, Con Am, Eagle Realty, Domino Realty, Oakwood Worldwide and Village Properties.

“We apply a team approach to our projects, working closely with consultants, architects, engineers – and even the owners themselves – to determine the best ways to get maximum results,” Rovner says.

Before launching the business, Rovner’s team was comprised of family, including an uncle who took him under his wing and put him to work in his building operation. “I was involved in different facets of construction, which was imperative to know and understand when it came time to launch Rovner Construction.”

This is where Rovner was also introduced to project operations and discovered he had a knack for estimating and project management.  The company now ranks among the top of preferred contractors lists for prestigious developers and asset management firms.

Many clients begin with a single project and then turn to MRC for additional ventures.

“Building long-term associations is a major differentiator for our company. This can only be achieved when you earn trust and ensure that projects are carried out in a way that allows everyone to win,” Rovner says.

Continuity and stability are additional factors behind MRC’s success as Rovner places significant focus on employees, resulting in more than one-third of staff and management remaining with the company for over a decade.

“We are proud to have created a company that many of California’s most accomplished construction experts like to call their professional home,” he says.

Rovner also works proactively with construction-based governmental agencies. It also concentrates on commercial and residential renovations with a special focus on multi-family renovations.

“We carved out a critical industry niche, a type of work this is specialized due to such factors as having to work around existing residents,” Rovner says. “Bringing to the table over two decades in this space, we have perfected the model, working each job efficiently while maintaining safety for resident.”

Another factor behind MRC’s impressive growth and sustainability – the company is a large corporation but maintains the perspective of a mom and pop company.

“We place an emphasis on accessibility – our clients never need to worry about having to deal with a bureaucratic structure or face red tape. Instead, we keep operations streamlined to more efficiently and effectively help make the owner’s vision come to fruition,” Rovner says.

Examining a few of MRC’s recent projects underscores the company’s commitment to working in tandem with owners, architects and designers, meeting schedules and budgets, and forging working relationships with property managers and tenants to keep safety as a priority.

Located in downtown Los Angeles, Grand Tower Apartments is a 27-story renovation and a $27 million contract.  Scheduling renovation work to take place around peak traffic hours, MRC renovated two floors at a time over a six-week period to allow for tenant relocations.

MRC handled all inspections from City of Los Angeles while carrying out its renovation work for 390 residential units, the ground floor lobby, lobby corridor and the building’s amenities including gym, concierge office, leasing office, wi-fi lounge, laundry room and vending machines, media room and kitchen.

Site work renovations also encompassed Parking Booth, Driveway Entry and Pathway, Mailbox relocation and Trash Room while terrace renovations included landscaping, existing planters, waterproofing decks, new fire pits, new BBQ’s, all new lighting and electrical, new glass fencing, new LED lighting and handicap lift for the pool and replastering the spa.

The Mariners Bay in Marina del Rey is a recent $53 Million where MRC worked with the ownership’s subcontractors to renovate the facility’s docks while performing improvements on its Waterfront Promenade. In addition to required building inspections, MRC worked with the Los Angeles Department of Beaches & Harbors, and environmental Bird Mitigation.

The project consisted of 379 residential units, 19 acres of land and water, building exteriors including siding, stucco, windows, stone, doors, roofing, decks, sheet metal, and waterproofing, interior common room renovations and site work landscaping and irrigation.

MRC also handled installation on all utilities such as fire lines, sewer and vacuum systems, along with the building’s Decorative Sidewalks, Dock Access Gates, Steel Guardrail, Trash Receptacles and Emergency Call Boxes.

“This was essentially the rebirth of the facility – you would not recognize it as the same,” Rovner days.

“What we’ve done – all together as a company – is creating a company that excels at building projects – while building a reputation for excellence.”

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