10 Questions For Saratoga's VMS Construction Owner Victor Saravia

Victor Saravia is the owner and president of Saratoga-based VMS Construction, 1335 Quito Rd. He's been a licensed general contractor since 1999. He's been building beautiful homes in the West Valley for 25 years, some $10 million luxury properties. He specializes in custom homes, but he also does remodeling, additions, framing, foundations, home improvement projects, repairs and "just about anything, from a to z." The business' hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Details: 408-422-7105, or vmsconst@comcast.net.

Saratoga Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?

Victor Saravia: A professional soccer player.

Patch: How does your personality play into your business?

Saravia:  I have a perfectionist personality. I like things to look the best they can.

Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business?  

Saravia: After many years of working for other companies and realizing that my skills and my abilities were surpassing those of my employers. I realized then I could do this business on my own. A lot of times, I was doing a better job than the companies I was working for.

Patch:  What inspired you?  

Saravia: I went to West Valley College to study architectural design for two years and in the process of my love for architectural design I slowly started getting into the actual construction in the field. I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top to become the owner of VMS Construction.

Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in Saratoga?

Saravia: Probably the managing, getting qualified people and help. In construction, a lot of times it's the pricing, cost-estimating and delivering a quality product at a fair price for the people to be very satisfied. Keeping people very happy can sometimes become a challenge. Working within budgets can sometimes be difficult. People love nice things, but their lifestyle and their budgets don't always equal that. Sometimes you have to know how to make things work very well and really understand this construction business to give people a good product at a reasonable cost.

Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in Saratoga?

Saravia: I have pride and integrity. When I complete projects, I have the ability to make decisions based upon my own personal high standards and quality measurements. When you work for other companies and other people, you really don't get that satisfaction.

Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

Saravia: I would never sacrifice quality, or integrity, or the overall way I approach my business.

Patch: What is your business' greatest asset?

Saravia: Experience. I have 25 years. I've been licensed, bonded and insured since 1999, but I actually had worked 10 years before that for many professionals. I did a lot different projects.

Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?   

Saravia: Highway 9 because of the beautiful mountains. I was raised in Saratoga and I love it here.

Patch: What's one thing the community should know about you?

Saravia: My attention to quality and professionalism and my years of experience in construction. I'm a husband, father of one daughter who is 16 going to Westmont High School. I also attended Westmont High School. I've been married for 20 years.