construction project manager

project superintendent

preconstruction manager

construction estimator

estimator

KBE Building Corporation

I was happy to start at the company back in 2019 - seemed like a great opportunity, but did not play out that way. In retrospect, there were many red flags (mgmt. constantly yelling at and intimidating staff/subcontractors, rampant sexism, key departments left critically understaffed). I can probably say that maybe the first few months were okay - not great, but I was able to look past the above (for the most part) and make it through the day. 

Once COVID hit, things got significantly worse. WFH was only granted to some people on a "hardship" basis (myself included), but was pulled back in May 2020 once the state started reopening again. It was clear that mgmt. was more concerned with getting their money's worth on the office rent than trying to make their employees' lives easier. 

It was honestly really depressing to see so many people treated so badly or worked so hard that their health suffered for it (losing hair, getting sick, constantly anxious, etc.).

I think if you're a PM or a Superintendent with lots of experience in the industry, you've got a shot at making it there for a while, but the work environment/Mgmt./HR generally fostered toxicity while patting themselves on the back for their community service and "family" atmosphere/culture (even after unceremoniously firing one of the women who helped run those community initiatives for 10+ years, all over a non-issue).

TL;DR - You may be thinking you can do better than KBE. You are probably right.

It started with great potential. They had programs in place that sound great: Leadership Challenge, 360 reviews of the senior team, Strategic Planning, Advisory Boards, Company Culture, Peer Groups, Succession Planning, Exit Interviews, Stay Interviews, Salary Reviews, etc.  
However, none of that is successful if you are unwilling to learn, look at past mistakes and be willing to try new things.  
It quickly turns toxic.  The senior team piles on as much as possible to the point of burn out, lack any formal company policy and would not address low morale across the company.
There is a substantial pay gap between women and men, employees and senior team.  Newcomers are being hired at rates close to or above current employees, doing a fraction of the role you are doing, with zero support or backup from most of HR team.  
Despite all the focus on company "family" culture, it does not mean anything in the end.  Even "mom" was let go pre-emptively and without backup from HR.
Exempt workers (which are often misclassified) are expected to work long hours and weekends without being paid overtime.  There is no work-life balance.  Expect calls and texts at all hours of the day and night, vacations, etc. Often for items that are nice to have, but not necessary or required immediately. 

KBE is an exceptional company to be a part of. From the very beginning of my journey with KBE, it became evident that the company stands out from the rest. Prior to my joining, they proactively inquired about my learning preferences and incorporated them effectively into my onboarding process. The array of benefits offered by KBE truly enhances the overall experience. From family-oriented events to Friday breakfasts, staff gatherings, meaningful community engagement through charity initiatives, not to mention the well-appointed break rooms. KBE goes above and beyond to foster a supportive and inclusive environment. This was a refreshing change for me, having transitioned from a workplace that prioritized profit over people. KBE puts community, culture, family, and relationships above all else. Another factor that sets KBE apart is the accessibility and openness of the Senior Management Team, who readily share their knowledge and insights with the team.

In conclusion, KBE has been an ideal fit for me, and I am confident that others will find the same sense of belonging and fulfillment within the company.

KBE has truly been a great company to work for thus far.  A few things I noticed right away are the programs that are in place for leadership & continuing education opportunities.

 I found the office staff to be extremely friendly  and helpful, as well as our staff in the field, as I learned different responsibilities. I have a unique job position with the company that affords me the insight to both the workings in the office as well as  out in the field.  I also get to see the different perspectives of the business.  It is easy to see the opportunities for growth by our employees who wish to apply themselves and are eager to Build Excellence. 

Having experience working for some large Tech companies in the past as well as smaller family owned businesses, I can say that the Team at KBE cares about the culture and they generally want to do better for their teams. It has been a refreshing experience. 

If you want a role where you won't be thoroughly trained but then held 100% accountable for your projects KBE is the place for you. If you want your lack of training to hinder your work performance then be blamed that you're behind because you "talk too much" KBE is definitely the place for you. KBE preaches "millennial culture" but then management back sasses you if you use any of the "millennial benefits" such as working from home one day a week. You can feel the tension between the "old guard" vs the millennial benefits. This is a company that believes if "butts aren't in seats then work isn't getting done". Oh and the head of the company is a screamer. Good luck.

They preach collaborative work atmosphere but demand blind following of their way to proceed with construction sequencing putting the team in the field at odds with the Design Team and AHJ's. Then, when push comes to shove upper management relieves the head of the field team by phone. They are a very unprofessional in their approach to subs as well. All they care about is their outdated scheduling software and incompetent scheduler who does not listen to the superintendents as to the proper sequencing and duration of tasks.

Upper management only cares about putting money in there pockets and don't consider the fact they are doing it at the expense of there employees and there well being. Nothing is done on time and all you do is get yelled at for it. the only good thing KBE has going for it is there safety department which still gets thrown to the side by poor choices of upper managers who don't care about safety and just care about there end date. its a good place for a starter job but I don't sees anyone staying there whole career there. if you don't want to travel this is not the place for you. oh and the company modo is " you cant fire everyone" 

I enjoy coming to my office everyday because the vibe and energy of the office is positive. We have a smaller office here in Scottsdale so it's important to all get along and we do. 

No office is perfect, but I believe we all feel w can openly talk about the situation and work through it as a team. 

We also have the strong support from our corporate headquarters, which is in CT. All of our offices want to help the other one succeed.

Great people, hard working. This company provides great benefits and incentives.  If you're eager to learn and grow, this is the perfect company here. Everyone on my team have been extremely supportive, nice, and willing to help by any means. I have received clear and consistent feedback of my work performance, this is extremally helpful in order to continue to grow in this company. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The day I left the job, poor manageent, poor support, terrible moral.


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management and lack of communication and support

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very poor, lack of communication

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Very stressful, not a good working environment,

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Construction project manager 4 salaries reported	$110,750 per year
Project superintendent 4 salaries reported	$139,000 per year
Preconstruction manager 1 salary reported	$60,000 per year
Construction estimator 5 salaries reported	$82,500 per year
Estimator 2 salaries reported	$165,000 per year

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