The SiteVisit

When Cranes Pause, Economies Blink with Dave Bowman


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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

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

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The SiteVisitBy James Faulkner

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