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Don May Construction is more than a business; it's a family trade that's been passed down from my grandfather to me. I grew up in Qualicum Beach, watching my grandfather, Don May, build homes the old-fashioned way. His approach was rooted in a simple idea: to work hard, and that remains our strongest core value. This helped build a reputation that was earned by doing things right. Most of what I know came from standing beside him on job sites, learning how to build and how to treat people.
Today, I'm proud to carry his name and his standards forward. You can still see Don's work all over town, and that legacy is something I take seriously. Our crew is made up of professional, qualified people who care about the work as much as we do. We've spent years building a team of sub-trades that we trust, people who share our work ethic and our commitment to deliver the kind of craftsmanship our family is known for.
We stand behind every home we build with the same care, and accountability Don built his name on. Honest communication, quality builds, and looking after our clients from start to finish because that's how Don taught us. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way we keep doing it.
Don started Don May Construction in Qualicum Beach more than fifty years ago. The company has been working on this coast ever since.
Derek and Meryl Heinz run the company today, with Derek leading the build side and Meryl running contracts and administration.
The crew, the subtrades, the suppliers, and most of our clients all live within the same service area. That is intentional. It is how we keep quality high and communication clear.
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Don May founded Don May Construction on Vancouver Island in 1973, bringing with him a level of craftsmanship and work ethic that has set the tone for the company’s past five decades. Long before that, Don earned one of the first ever Red Seal Certifications in Carpentry in 1962 — a testament to his skill and commitment to doing things the right way.
Don was known for his steady leadership on and off the jobsite. He had a confident and respectful way of running a crew, the kind of presence that kept projects moving and people working together. Every sub trade mattered to him, and that’s what made the projects work. He expected a lot from everyone, but was always fair and wanted nothing but the best, not just out of you, but for you. Don exemplified hard work, and he expected it of his team, that’s how he earned respect. It was a level of respect that you just don’t seem to find anymore. That mindset shaped the reputation of Don May Construction: solid work, no shortcuts, and a name people could trust.
He built a strong team of trades simply because he respected the people, and expected the same in return.
Every client mattered to him, and every build was treated like it was his own.
Over the years, Don mentored many young carpenters, including his grandson, Derek Heinz. The lessons he passed down — craftsmanship, integrity, and pride in the work — continue to guide the company today.
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Derek Heinz is a Certified Red Seal Carpenter, a Certified Residential Builder with BC Housing, and a Qualified Net Zero Builder — but at his core, he’s a hands‑on tradesman who learned the craft the old‑fashioned way. He started his apprenticeship in high school and earned his Red Seal at 22, building his entire career in the industry from the ground up.
Derek grew up learning directly from his grandfather, Don May, on jobsites around Qualicum Beach. That’s where he picked up the habits that still guide him today: work hard, pay attention to the details, and take pride in doing the job right. He’s meticulous by nature and known for precision, whether he’s framing, finishing, pouring concrete, running equipment, or in the office keeping a project moving.
What Derek enjoys most is being part of the whole process — meeting clients, helping shape the design, and being on site every day making sure the work reflects the standards he was raised with.
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Meryl is a Certified Civil Engineering Technologist with more than 15 years of experience working in the municipal public sector. She’s spent her career improving the way communities function day‑to‑day, bringing a mix of technical know‑how, practical judgment, and steady leadership to every project.
She also made history as the first female president of the Public Works Association of British Columbia — a role that reflects both her expertise and her ability to bring people together. A varsity hockey player at Carleton University and NAIT where she earned a BA in Psychology and a Civil Engineering Technology Diploma, she brings a rare blend of people‑sense and problem‑solving to her work.
Colleagues know her for being thorough, grounded, and unafraid to take on complex challenges — the kind of leader who makes things run smoother for everyone involved.
Owner representation, subtrade coordination, scheduling, and site reporting for complex or out of town projects.
Ground up commercial builds, tenant improvements, and small commercial renovations for local owners and tenants.
Feasibility work, lot servicing coordination, and pre construction planning for owners with land or considering a purchase.
Owner representation, subtrade coordination, scheduling, and site reporting for complex or out of town projects.
The company has been working on the coast since 1973. That experience shows up in everything from how we plan a build to how we work with local trades, local government and building officials.
Don May Construction is a Net Zero Qualified Builder, which is meaningful for owners who prioritize energy performance, comfort, and long term operating costs.
Don May Construction is a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association.
You work with the same project manager from your first conversation to your final walkthrough. Many of our clients are on their second or third build with us, and a lot more are here because someone we've built for sent them our way.
Building to BC Step Code isn't about ticking boxes — it's about smarter, tighter homes that perform for the long haul. Practical, high-performance construction that meets the requirements without overcomplicating the build.
It means the company has been built and passed down through generations of the same family. Generations building for generations. Derek grew up on job sites with Don, learning the work by standing beside him. Don taught Derek how to build and how to treat people. Derek runs the company with the same standards.
Don May Construction is a Net Zero Qualified Builder and a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association. Derek Heinz holds a Red Seal in carpentry, is a Certified Residential Builder with BC Housing, and is a Qualified Net Zero Builder. Meryl Heinz is a Certified Civil Engineering Technologist with extensive public sector experience.
Don May Construction is based in the Oceanside area and works across Qualicum Beach, Parksville, and the surrounding communities.
Local builders know the lots, the soils, the weather, the permitting process, and the trades. Most of our subtrades and suppliers are within the same service area, which means fewer surprises and easier coordination. We are here through the build, and we are still here after it. If something comes up a year later, you are calling the same number.
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If you're planning a new home, or simply have a question, contact us directly. We'll discuss your project and respond with clear next steps.