Testimonials

What People Are Saying

"The S.B. Ballard Design Build Team delivered a great end product which has been enjoyed by many. This was a high profile project which demonstrates beyond words the quality work of S.B. Ballard. They are true leaders in the parking and contracting industry and have proven to be a great asset to ODU."
Dave Robichaud
Old Dominion University Owner’s Representative; Plan Right, LLC
“S.B. Ballard has proven why they are one of the top general contractors in Virginia as well as one of the top concrete contractors in the Nation. Their work speaks for themselves as well as their relationships with Owners, Developers, subcontractors and vendors.”
Dave Robichaud
Old Dominion University Owner’s Representative; Plan Right, LLC
“I can not provide enough kudos to S.B. Ballard and the benefits Anderson Elevator has received from their small business/SWAM program. My experience has proved that S.B. Ballard takes small business and SWAM participation very seriously. The assistance and guidance from S.B. Ballard is much appreciated and the education and training will last a lifetime.”
Robert E. Anderson
President, Anderson Elevator
"You manage to build a multi-story concrete building addition on a postage stamp lot without a single reportable safety incident. Your superintendent and safety managers were relentless with their daily attention to detail on all things safety. They diligently enforced safety standards on every individual who entered the project site.”
Thomas Uliana
Construction Manager, Project Engineer NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Department of the Navy
“During the construction manager selection process, S.B. Ballard emphasized the merits of their pre-construction services and promised to deliver a high-quality, affordable project. After contract award, it quickly became evident that S. B. Ballard intended to uphold their promise as they maximized every component of their preconstruction services ensuring that the facility design reflected the core values of the Virginia National Guard. Throughout the process—from the initial budget submissions through multiple constructability reviews culminating with a guaranteed maximum price—Ballard personnel emphasized a team approach focused on creating an efficient, effective design. When inevitable issues arose, including scope creep and lengthy delays beyond their control, S. B. Ballard’s employees remained focused on the overarching goal and their resilience never wavered. With commitment, dedication, and diligence, S.B. Ballard successfully delivered a final product that far exceeded the expectations of the Department of Military Affairs."
Derrick Hall
Deputy AE Program Manager; Department of Military Affairs – Commonwealth of Virginia
“S.B. Ballard Construction Company has taken several extremely difficult projects, and has completed them in a thoroughly professional manner. Working with our design team of Project Managers, Architects and Engineers, you have not only established a credible relationship with the whole architectural and engineering design team but you have become involved personally to bridge the gap to help resolve issues in a collaborative manner.”
Clark Nexsen
President, Clark Nexsen
“Immediately following award of the project, S.B. Ballard’s pre-construction team started working with our staff on value engineering, constructability reviews, and BIM Modeling. S.B. Ballard presented the City of Virginia Beach and HBA with a list of items that could be replaced with an alternate product that would reduce the cost but maintain quality. Throughout the value engineering process, S.B. Ballard worked diligently with HBA and our consultants to achieve the best possible results. Together, we were able to reduce construction cost by $9 million."
Mike Ross
HBA Architects
“Not only have they exhibited a high level of professionalism, but in a true sense of partnering, a willingness to work together with my organization, the DPW and using agency. It is most gratifying to work with such professionals. I have no doubt that on completion of this project we can all look back with pride on a job well done.”
Elmer D. Merryman, PE
Administrative Contracting Officer, Department of the Army; Area Engineer, Southern Virginia Area Office – Norfolk District, Corps Of Engineers
“S.B. Ballard’s exemplary performance on the project was evidenced by their ability to keep both the project on schedule and maintain a good working relationship with the architects, engineers, and owner representatives involved. The on site construction staff, hand picked by Stephen Ballard, exhibited an in-depth knowledge with regard to all aspects of construction. This resulted in timely processing of submittals, detailed review of shop drawings, and prompt requests for design related clarifications. They were also able to quickly implement critical design changes by the architect and Owner with minimal, or no. impact to the overall project schedule.”
David Robichaud
Director of Design & Construction, Old Dominion University
“I am most impressed with S.B. Ballard’s ability and work ethic to confront each obstacle head on and discuss methods and procedures with the Owner and Architects. Further, during the design process, S.B. Ballard worked closely with the Owner and Architect regarding quality control, design issues, and value engineering concepts to assure the end product matched the Owner’s vision”
David W. Hackbirth Jr.
Vice President of Construction, Robinson Development Group, Inc.
“S.B. Ballard takes the time necessary to explain construction and design methods. Construction related items that might be second nature to some owners are not always familiar to me, but I am able to better grasp concepts because I can count on S.B. Ballard to walk me through these details and assist me in gaining understanding.”
William M. Lawton
President, Forbes Candy, Inc.
“S.B. Ballard’s in-house Mechanical Engineer has proven to be a great asset to the team and to the NH-95 project. Their Mechanical Engineer visits the site regularly and ensures the complex DCS controls set up and tying to existing base services are correct and working. He also performs quality control checks on major equipment start ups, which has proven that the S.B. Ballard team goes beyond the standard General Contractor management capabilities.”
Mark J. Airaghi, PE
Project Management and Engineering Department, Public Works Department Norfolk
"As I walked the Arena and East Campus Parking Deck projects this morning, I made note of how impressive the projects were in terms of efficiency and progress. It was unimaginable that the team would be so far ahead on the progress of the parking deck that it could be turned over a year in advance of the projected completion date, but that certainly appears to be the reality!"
Craig Short
Executive Director, Facility and Construction James Madison University
“As a State funded project, working with various municipal entities can be a very arduous process, with long hours and short gains. Ballard has championed the dogged effort it takes to push this process through both in the office and the field. They never stop until the problem is solved or the goal is accomplished…”
Chinh T. Vu
Project Manager, Virginia Department of General Services
“During construction, the Tidewater area witnessed one of the wettest weather periods in decades. S.B. Ballard’s management team developed a new schedule and began working multiple shifts to complete the project on time safely and successfully.”
John Maddux
REFP Principal, HBA Architecture
“Mr. Ballard is someone who gets personally involved in his projects and his relationship with Old Dominion University is a strong one. Immediately prior to the opening of the 2011 football season, you may recall that Virginia experienced a small earthquake. That earthquake caused minor structural damage to S.B. Ballard stadium. Within hours of the event, Mr. Ballard was on-site with his design engineers to assess the damage and to provide the university with a solution. Although the stadium was well out of warranty by this time, the minor structural cracks were successfully repaired within five days. As always, the work was top-quality and performed safely. To Mr. Ballard, repairing ODU’s stadium was an issue of pride, not an issue of business. It is my understanding that there are other instances of Mr. Ballard and his team repairing small issues on buildings up to twelve years old without any sort of monetary compensation. This over-and-above personal involvement, coupled with their exemplary track record, is precisely what sets S.B. Ballard apart from the pack and why the company has been so successful for the past 34 years."
Wood Selig
Athletic Director, Old Dominion University
“S. B. Ballard has consistently exceeded the community’s, Virginia Beach Public Schools’, and my expectations. I have no doubt that Kellam High School, which was just completed approximately three months ahead of schedule, will be a prototype emulated by other school systems. Their communication, organization and safety are unparalleled and their experienced project team is among the best I have encountered...”
Anthony L. Arnold
P.E., Director Facilities Planning & Construction
“S.B. Ballard's exemplary performance on the project was evidenced by their ability to keep the project on schedule, control costs, monitor quality and maintain a close working relationship with the architects, engineers, and owner representatives. The on-site construction staff exhibited a broad-base and thorough knowledge of construction. This resulted in timely processing of submittals, detailed review of shop drawings, and prompt requests for design related clarifications. Critical design changes by the Architect and Owner were quickly implemented with minimal impact to the overall project schedule. S.B. Ballard's ability to self-perform a significant portion of the work was a tremendous asset to the overall success of the project.”
Ron Tola
Associate Vice President for Facilities, Old Dominion University
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with S.B. Ballard Construction Company on multiple projects including Linkhorn Park, Bayside and Thalia elementary schools and most recently Kellam High School. S.B. Ballard’s impressive safety record, effective project management approach and dedication to providing the best product for the best value…S.B. Ballard has consistently exceeded the community’s, Virginia Beach Public Schools’ and my expectations.”
Tony Arnold, P.E.
Director of Facilities, Planning & Construction Virginia Beach Public Schools
“As a Project Manager for Sentara who has worked on a medical campus shared with Eastern Virginia Medical School and The Children’s Hospital of the Kings’ Daughters, I know construction projects are a cause for anxiety. Having S.B. Ballard on a project eases the apprehensiveness. S.B. Ballard is one of the most detailed and involved contractors I have had the pleasure of working with. I can always count on their team being knowledgeable, having a great attention to detail, and being available at all times to take my phone calls."
Tom Piatt
Project Manager, Sentara Healthcare
“All of the projects I have worked on with S.B. Ballard have been completed safely, on time, and within our budget. Another benefit of having S.B. Ballard on a project is there is no hesitation on their part to do any minor repairs, alterations, or provide preventative maintenance even after the project has been completed for several years. They take pride in their projects for a lifetime, not just during the construction process.”
Tom Piatt
Project Manager, Sentara Healthcare
“The president, Steve Ballard, has been personally involved from cradle to grave on most of these projects and taken ownership in delivering to us a quality product and taking care of our needs. They are a well-managed state of the art company using the latest in technology and management software such as SharePoint and BlueBeam to track everything from RFIs, ASIs, Construction Schedules, Daily Reports and Deficiencies. They have shown professional management skills in operations of managing the projects and the day-to-day of running the job.”
Randy Thomson
Senior Construction Project Manager Department of Public Works Design/Construction Bureau
“As a small business, we do not have the resources like larger companies. With new and improved ways of bidding jobs, we simply do not have the ability to be professionally trained to compete with the larger companies. S.B. Ballard provided us with their expertise and management assistance, giving us the skills to provide owners, developers and general contractors the qualification packages and pricing to compete in the bidding process”
Robert E. Anderson
President, Anderson Elevator
"I have great respect for S.B. Ballard and their accomplishments. RRMM has a great working relationship with S.B. Ballard and I look forward to each project we work on together. There is no doubt in my mind that S.B. Ballard is capable of completing any type of project, no matter the size or location..."
John B. Maddux, Jr.
President, RRMM Architects
“We were impressed with S.B. Ballard’s ability to achieve LEED™ Gold certification on this project that was awarded with a LEED™ Silver requirement. Recently the Department of Defense stopped requiring LEED™ Gold on projects because the excessive cost did not have an equal return on investment. On this project your company demonstrated its ability to give the tax payer a worthy return on their investment. You have handled the entire LEED™ certification process better than any company this office has previously worked with.”
Thomas Uliana
Construction Manager, Project Engineer NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Department of the Navy
“S.B. Ballard’s pre-construction and construction management team’s communication, dedication, experience, and passion have undoubtedly paved the way to their success. S.B. Ballard’s reputation at TCC is impeccable; they have completed each project for us safely, on or ahead of schedule, and under budget.”
David Guglielmo
Director of Facilities, Tidewater Community College (TCC)