1. 7/26/2016 Ethics pay off for Orem contractor
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Mote K. Mo'unga knows exactly why his business has been selected as one of the 12 most ethical
businesses in America.
He's justly proud to have the crystal trophy that names M­Construction as the recipient of the 1996
Ethics in Business Award from the Better Business Bureau."The secret is because we treat them fair,"
said Mo'unga, a 50­year­old Tongan who's been in the construction business for 25 years and who
owns and operates M­Construction out of Orem.
"We pay fair wages (to subcontractors and employees). We pay them on time. We push them hard
and when they need me, I'm there."
He's the same with his customers.
"They know I will come back even if it will cost me double," said Mo'unga. "Every job, I look at it. If it
doesn't meet my standards, we tear the whole thing off and do it over."
That usually means better than the building code requires because Mo'unga understands that a
satisfied customer will not only come back in the years ahead but will tell his friends and family
about his or her experience.
He believes his strict code of ethics, brought over from the islands with him, is the key to his success
as a builder.
If you don't believe it, just ask his clients, which include Zions Bank ­ the company that nominated
M­Construction for the Better Business Bureau's Torch of Excellence award ­ The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter­day Saints, Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, the Utah National Guard
and Orem City officials.
Most of his company's projects are commercial projects and held to some tough standards already.
Mo'unga then goes a step or two farther. He wants to be able to shake the client's hand on the way
out and leave everybody smiling.
He likes to get his projects done well ahead of deadline, saving himself and his client dollars. "Most
jobs are done in half the time," he said. "I push hard. They complain but they make money by the
time they add up what they save in overtime and delays."
He doesn't mind paying his workers a little higher wage to see that quality workmanship is the rule,
and he prequalifies every employee.
"Things have just worked out fine for us," he said, including his wife, who keeps the accounts for M­
Construction and pays the bills; his sons, Tim and Bill; and his 15 steady employees. "I estimate it
well. I do all the bidding and the bids are thorough. The numbers are good and we're competitive. I
surround myself with a lot of good people and I think I am lucky too."
Ethics pay off for Orem contractor
By Sharon M. Haddock, Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, March 18 1997 12:00 a.m. MST

2. 7/26/2016 Ethics pay off for Orem contractor
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He doesn't believe in taking advantage of others' mistakes. For instance, when a subcontractor gave
him a bid he knew was $75,000 too low, he called the man in and told him he'd underwrite the bid
so the man wouldn't lose money.
"We don't stick it to nobody," said Mo'unga. "We're honest."
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