As underground construction companies go, Scanlan Construction from Murrieta is just starting its fifth year but its founder Karl Scanlan offers years of experience in the industry. "I've basically been in construction all of my life," Karl Scanlan explains. Scanlan, who came to California in 1970 from Montana, worked for several underground construction firms in San Diego and Riverside Counties before "going out on my own" in March 1998.

(Pictured left) Karl Scanlan, Scanlan Construction.

"Our forte is water, sewer and storm drain construction,' he continued, "mainly in residential communities in Orange, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We do quite a bit of work for KB Homes (Los Angeles and Orange County Divisions), Wm. Lyon Homes, Curtis Development and several others. I run the field operations and my wife, Leslie, directs the office end of the business. We have a 16-year-old daughter, Andrea, who comes in after school and does payroll."

One of the firm's current underground projects is Woods Valley. The complex contains 270 country homes and an 18-hole golf course designed by David Ginkel Design from the San Francisco Bay Area. "The Newland Communities Woods Valley project in Valley Center near Escondido is our first combined golf course and residential project since we went out on our own. I did quite a few when I worked for other people, however. In fact, I worked on one of the very first golf course construction projects in Rancho Santa Fe. There are quite a few of them now."

While Scanlan Construction had never worked on a Newland Communities project before, Karl Scanlan had worked with project manager Jim Stewart previously and was invited to bid on the water, sewer, and storm drain construction. "Jim contacted me and asked if I was interested in doing the project. When we complete it in mid-April the value of the project will exceed $4 million."

(Above) Scanlan Construction performed all of the water, sewer and storm drain construction on the Woods Valley project in Valley Center near Escondido for Newland Communities.

The Murrieta-based firm did encounter groundwater and rock problems on the Woods Valley project. "The golf course also has seven ponds or lakes," Scanlan said, "and on one of the water features they had to build a dyke through it so we could get the sewer pipe across. Despite everything we managed to maintain our schedule."

Scanlan revealed that while he owns almost all of his equipment including excavators, loaders, backhoes and dozers he does utilize rental agencies from time to time. "On the Woods Valley job we utilized Savala Equipment rental in Irvine for heavy equipment including a CAT 235,' he noted. "We've used Savala mainly as a heavy equipment agency but from time to time we've also rented some backhoes from them. And if we've needed a bucket or something at the last minute they've always come through for us. They're really good to work with."

(Above) Kobelco excavator purchased from Tri-West Equipment in Livermore, California shown here backfilling and compacting after installation of sewer pipe.

Karl Scanlan reports "I've had real good luck with Kobelco excavators. We run John Deere loaders and have one John Deere dozer and two CAT dozers and other small machines in our fleet. We either buy from several local dealers or get quite a bit of stuff at auction. Scanlan recently purchased two excavators from Tri-West Equipment in Livermore.

"We bought a 1992 100,000-pound Yutani 450, which is essentially the same as a Kobelco, and a 2000 SK400 excavator,' Scanlan announced. "Tri-West Equipment, at least in my book, has established themselves as one of the best in the business. And that's mainly because of their exceptional service. When I call for parts, they're very helpful and there to make sure whatever we need gets shipped to us promptly. If we have any technical questions they're prepared to answer them and explain that they had encountered the same problem before and offer suggestions as to what works. I never hear Ôyou better bring that machine in for us to look at.' I attribute their excellence to Randy Cram's ongoing commitment to customer service." Scanlan Construction has been a customer of Tri-West Equipment for four years and it's a good bet the relationship will continue for years to come.

(Above) John Deere 210 LE skip loader purchased from RDO Equipment in Riverside, California locating manholes for Scanlan Construction at the Woods Valley project in Escondido, California.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers also attracted Scanlan's attention. "I've gotten a little bit of everything from Ritchie Bros.,' he exclaimed. "I bought a rock truck out of Texas, an excavator from Riverside and probably my best deal was a Kobelco 400 excavator that I bought out of Olympia, Washington, four years ago. I paid $39,000 for the unit and have put over 7,000 hours on it and spent less than $5,000 in repairs. A new one would retail at well over $300,000." When asked if he would be in attendance at Ritchie Bros. March 17th auction at 8 a.m. in Perris he replied ÔOh, yeah!' Scanlan will undoubtedly be looking for equipment for upcoming projects.

"We're just about ready to start another KB Homes project in the Corona-Norco area near the 15 freeway. They're building a water retention basin that requires 275,000 yards of export. We're doing all the piping for the project. We got the successful bid from KB Homes who is working with local flood control agencies and water districts on the retention basin." KB Homesâ Sierra Lakes project and Sierra Lakes Golf Club was the site of some additional underground construction just completed by Scanlan Construction. "We did a lot of perimeter work around the 18-hole Ted Robinson championship golf course and the three different KB Homes developments," Scanlan noted.

(Above left) John Deere 744H purchased from RDO Equipment Co. removing rock from pads that have been overexcavated. (Above right) Scanlan water truck watering a rock fill at Woods Valley Project.

Scanlan Construction's dedicated employees are hired and trained by Scanlan. "Many of our 65-70 employees are business acquaintances and people I've met over the years. That approach to hiring personnel has worked well for us. One of the industry's major problems right now is insurance. We're taking a good look at that aspect of our operation to see if there are ways to reduce the rising insurance premiums,¾ he added.

Karl Scanlan's hobby is motorcycles. "Every year I work at the track at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino on the national supercross. I do that every year for AMA (American Motorcycle Association). "Glen Helen Raceway consists of two supercross tracks--Stadium Cross and Husquama--and is part of the Glen Helen Regional Parks and Recreation Area in Devore.