(Above) Sundance Construction using their John Deere 35C ZTS excavator to transport the stock pile.   (Right) Felix using the John Deere 325 skid steer to load the dump truck.

Malibu: beautiful beaches, beautiful people. What else is necessary other than beautiful infrastructure in which to live and work? Enter Jack Kelly of Sundance Construction. He began his company in 1981 but had worked for other contractors since the early 70’s while attending college. Tired of working for large companies and making them money, Jack decided to use his general contracting license to branch out on his own. In the beginning, Sundance worked primarily in new residential, remodels, small commercial, and small public works and is now a specialty contracting company divided into two divisions, general engineering and concrete. The crew of four full time employees comprises Sundance: David Nims, Felix Santos, George Sierra, and Jack Kelly. Jack also hires subcontractors when the need occurs. He had built a very lucrative business, and in 1987, he saw the need for concrete contractors that could handle difficult terrain and hillsides. He then started to do more structural concrete work and began hardscape jobs as well. The service and skill Sundance Construction has to offer is what makes his business successful; Jack’s confidence in himself and his employees is what keeps it prosperous.

Sundance is known for taking on large scale, risky, complicated, and unique jobs. A few months ago, Sundance worked on an 800-foot long storm water drain system that included having to work around two million-dollar dressage horses. Jack’s most interesting and most difficult project recently was a job for the Mission Project. Jack and his crew finished the excavation, did the underground, brought all utilities into the building, and performed the foundation work for the Mission Project. The sub-contracting job brought Sundance 1.5 million dollars. Another interesting endeavor for Jack was for another California celebrity that requested an infinity edge pool that hung out over the hillside on the property. Sundance Construction performed all substructure work for the pool; a pool company was contracted to finish all the cosmetic work on the project. An infinity edge pool as such requires a tremendous amount of structural concrete. A series of nine caissons were drilled and cantilevered out to all the grade beams. The walls were poured-in-place and the concrete deck was suspended off of the structure. Another difficult project under Sundance Construction’s belt would include pouring foundations for towers high on a ridge. The difficulty here stood on the fact that the bases were placed right at the edge. Sundance is currently working on a septic treatment system in Malibu Colony. No job is too large or too complicated for Sundance Construction.

Sundance started buying equipment from Coastline Equipment in 2000 and continues to buy their equipment from their long time friends. Today, Sundance owns and operates a 325 Skid steer, a 35C ZTS John Deere excavator, a service truck, and a transport trailer. They sold their first 250 Skid steer purchased from Coastline and are also looking into a rental / purchase of a 135 Hitachi as well. Jack rents a lot of the machinery he uses from Coastline. He believes it is not necessary to a business’s success to own a lot of equipment. He further believes that by renting when the need occurs, he can give the customer the service and price they deserve. Operational flexibility is a must for any machine purchase; the more tasks it can do, the better. Jack’s small business tactics add up to consistent profits.

The caliber of experience and service that Sundance provides is invaluable. Jack often finds that Sundance is thwarted by the inexperienced or under qualified competition. Coincidentally, Sundance Construction will often get offers to fix jobs done by the aforementioned opposition. In regards to working in the contracting business, Jack states, “I get to go out and play with big toys all day long! In all seriousness, there is a great deal of satisfaction at the end of the day to turn around and see what we’ve accomplished.” Sundance is a small company, but they produce more revenue per man a year than most of their competition.

Other than strict guidelines set by the state of California for employees, environmental issues, and safety, Jack has no complaints about his 5 am to 6 pm job. In fact, Jack looks forward to the future of the company.

He would like to see Sundance do more storm water / septic treatment systems and more excavation / concrete projects for the sheer accomplishment and challenge! Sundance often receives requests for input from other contractors, with regards to logistics or proper equipment use. Jack feels that his company and experience have quite a bit to offer the industry. When he is unsure of what machine would work best, he calls Coastline for their advice.

The construction business has slowed down in the past two or three years for everyone in California. Jack estimates a decline in gross receipts for Sundance of 60%. The previous twelve-man crew is down to four. Jack must therefore insure that future Sundance projects will be profitable. However, Jack knows he is able to pick up more work on projects due to the broad knowledge and skill of his company. The success of his business cannot only be attributed to his risk taking and business tactics. Jack Kelly truly appreciates the “support staff” from Coastline Eqiuipment, their sales, parts, service and rental department, as well as his attorney Wendy Slavkin, Frank and Deanna Miller who handle all bookkeeping, tax accounting, and the men who maintain the trucks and trailers. “I’m proud of my crew and the men,” he says with infinite pride and gratitude. Jack also values the company’s relationship with Coastline Equipment. Coastline always treats Sundance with as much importance as a larger company with an immediate response to any equipment problem. Coastline understands that time is money and Jack recognizes the quality and excellence of the servicemen sent to his rescue.  This unique niche businessman has nothing to worry about for the future. “We have received nothing but compliments on our work over the years,” he says with humble confidence, “We are able to provide a service of ‘one call does it all’.” Jack and his employees of Sundance Construction will continue to go the extra mile to make sure that every job they take on is worthy of the stamp of excellence. Cc