Understanding Your Insurance Coverage

The Omaha metro area has been hit by numerous devasting storms this season and many homeowners are still dealing with the aftermath.

The tornado that hit the Elkhorn area in late April left devastation in its path. Many homes were completely destroyed, leaving residents homeless and needing to rebuild their homes.

While most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover the cost of rebuilding damaged or destroyed homes, many people are discovering significant costs that are not covered. Debris must be removed before rebuilding can begin, and this cost is often not a covered expense for policies. Depending on the scope of the damage, this can be extremely costly.

Several recent rainstorms have caused significant property damage due to flooding. Damage can include flooded basements, damaged foundations, and collapsed garages and structures. Many insurance policies only cover certain water claims – be sure you know what is covered.

The lesson for homeowners – understand your insurance policy so you aren’t caught off guard by damage and destruction that is not covered.

Prairie Construction is Hiring!

Prairie Construction has immediate openings for full-time construction positions. Openings include Laborers and Carpenters, and seasonal Construction Workers.

Prairie Construction offers full-time employees competitive wages (based on experience), health, dental, and vision insurance, 401K, and paid vacation and holidays.

Commercial construction experience is preferred, but Prairie Construction is willing to train qualified candidates. Candidates must be at least 18, have transportation, and be willing to work a minimum of 40 hours/week. Work is local and will begin immediately.

If interested, please apply in-person at Prairie Construction 13316 B St. in Omaha, Monday – Friday 7 am to 3:30 pm, or send a resume to tom@prairie-construction.com.

Updates at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School

It’s not unusual for projects to start small, and morph into a much bigger job. That was true for the scheduled addition of a security entrance upgrade at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School.

After further assessment, the decision was made to revitalize the interior of the entrance through multiple architectural and mechanical upgrades. While this extended the initial time for the project, the result was well worth it!

After the upgrades to the interior, the focus turned to the school’s exterior. The change of color gave the school a refreshed, updated appearance. Add a complete roofing system upgrade, and the entire exterior looks newer and more modern.

 

The updates to Elkhorn Ridge Middle School may have been more than originally planned, but the result is a refreshed, updated school that is ready to welcome the future’s brightest minds through the doors in the Fall!

 

Prairie Construction Welcomes Joe Barnhart

We recently welcomed Joe Barnhart to the Prairie Construction team. Joe will serve in a Project Manager/Business Development role.

Joe brings more than 2 decades of experience and an extensive skill set to the Prairie team. During his career, he has worked as a project manager for an engineering company on several projects, including work on the ATF headquarters in Washington DC, and the Santa Clara Crime Lab in San Jose. Before joining the Prairie team, he spent the last 16 years at a mechanical contracting company in Omaha.

Joe has been a great addition to the Prairie team. “The cultural environment of Prairie Construction is built around intellect, passion to be the best, and personal and professional respect,” he said.  “All while marching in the direction of bringing clients’ vision to reality.”

Joe points to loyal customers who continue to contract with Prairie as a sign of our dedication to quality service.  “The repeat business is a testament to Prairie Constructions’ vision, core values, and the character and abilities of each member of the team,” he said.

“I cannot stress enough that it’s great to be at a company with great people!  I see people helping where needed, hearing people discussing trade techniques, strategizing on how to accomplish a task, discussing past experiences, and genuinely enjoying working together as a team.  This is not just inside the walls of Prairie Construction but at owner meetings, at lunches, or company/client parties. I am honored to just be a part of a team that is willing to teach, advise, and guide a 22-year mechanical guy like me.”

Welcome to the Prairie team, Joe!

Prairie Completes First Splash and Dash

Commercial construction continues to boom in the Omaha metro area.

Prairie Construction recently completed the remodel construction of Omaha’s newest dog grooming business – Splash and Dash, Dog Grooming and Boutique.

 

The project was a remodel of an existing space in a commercial strip mall. Demolition of the space began in December, followed by a complete custom rebuild to fit the needs of this unique business.

 

 

Located at 2517 South 174th Plaza in Lakeside, the store is the first of four planned Splash and Dash franchises in Omaha, and the Prairie Construction team is looking forward to our continued partnership with the family-owned franchises.

Splash and Dash welcomed their first canine customers last week!

 

Creighton’s Skutt Student Center Ribbon Cutting

After months of construction at the V.J. and Angela Skutt Student Center on the campus of Creighton University, Prairie Construction was proud to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marketing the official end of the project.

The Skutt Student Center is one of the more popular buildings on campus, so our team needed careful planning and coordination with the University to complete this project in the least intrusive way. We shared an update about this project last Fall shortly after construction began.

Renovations included bathrooms, ballroom, and ground level. Space was reconfigured for new dining vendors, and new seating options were included to make the space more welcoming.

 

The Prairie Construction team was happy to partner with Creighton University on another project. We hope the students enjoy the update space as much as we enjoyed being on campus!

West Hampton Flex Building

The Prairie Construction team is finishing up construction on the West Hampton Flex Building located at 192nd and Blondo St.

 

The 30,000-square-foot building includes five separate bays, each approximately 5,600 square feet.

The West Hampton is a flex building, which is a commercial real estate trend that offers flexibility to tenants. It is typically a warehouse-style building with built-to-spec space to accommodate a variety of warehouse, office, or retail tenants.

The West Hampton will welcome CHIPS Performance Training as a tenant. The exclusive baseball training facility will offer memberships to high school, college, and professional players who wish to enhance their performance training. Perfect timing for local athletes looking to get ready for the Spring season!

 

Prairie Construction is excited to contribute to construction in this rapidly growing part of Omaha!

 

What to Know About Frozen Pipes

We’ve been hit with extreme cold weather, and it doesn’t seem to want to quit. Temperatures below 0 degrees aren’t unusual for the Midwest (although the Omaha Metro area never dipped below 0 in 2023!), but this stretch of cold has been extreme.

When temperatures fall below freezing, and stay as long as they have now, there is a real threat of pipes bursting, even in insulated, heated structures. Outdoor hoses, swimming pool plumbing, or sprinkler systems are at high risk, but pipes in unheated areas of your home such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen or bathroom cabinets are also susceptible to freezing. Pipes that run along exterior walls with little or no insulation are at the highest risk.

Older pipes, or those with rust or corrosion are weaker, and this increases the risk of freezing. Corroded pipes can split when freezing expansion occurs, and the damage occurs when they begin to thaw, or when water is turned back on. But even newer, plastic pipes can freeze in extreme conditions. The risk is even higher during a power outage, which is likely in areas of prolonged demands on the power systems.

This can often go unseen until it is too late because pipes are typically inside walls. Homeowners may notice a leak after the water has damaged floors, ceilings, walls, or carpet.

Draining exterior pipes completely of water is crucial. Insulating pipes in unheated areas with pipe sleeves or installing UL-listed heat tape will help prevent freezing. Plumbers recommend keeping a steady drip of water on to keep water moving through pipes. Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow airflow, and if you will be away for some time, set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees.

If you suspect a pipe is frozen, but aren’t sure which one, turn on the faucets. If one isn’t releasing water, it is likely frozen. Turn the hot and cold water on, and begin thawing the pipes with a hairdryer, starting close to the faucet. Wrap the pipes in hot towels or electric heat tape or turn the heat in the home or building up to thaw the frozen pipes. Do not use a blowtorch, propane heater, or any open flame device to thaw pipes!

Unattended frozen pipes can lead to significant damage in your home. Contact the Prairie Construction team if you have questions about avoiding these types of problems in your home or structure. Stay warm and safe!

 

New Year, New Projects

Happy New Year from all of us at Prairie Construction!

The start of the new year is a good time to set goals for the coming year. If you have been considering a remodel or new build project for your home or business, make 2024 the year for your project!

The Prairie Construction team has some tips to keep in mind to help make your new construction or remodel project successful:

  • Referrals: Choose your contractor carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.
  • Do Your Research: Choose a company with a solid reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
  • Find a Project Manager: Working with a construction company that offers a designated Project Manager for your project who will manage your project from start to finish will save you the headache of needing to find subcontractors.
  • Similar Experience: Choose a contractor that has experience with projects like yours and ask if you can see them.

Choosing the right company for your project will make the process successful and eliminate stress, so trust your instinct and do your homework.

Investing in your home or business with a remodel or new construction project will pay off in the long run. Contact Prairie Construction to start planning your 2024 construction project!

Happy Holidays from Prairie Construction

The Prairie Construction team wishes you the best of the Holiday season.

We are grateful for the many gifts we have received and celebrated during 2023, the greatest of which is the opportunity to continue working with our trusted team, partners, and clients.

We consider the opportunity to work with each of you a gift, and we value your trust and confidence in us. Your professionalism and commitment to quality work make it easy for us to provide excellent customer service to each of our customers.

We extend a big thank you to the Prairie Construction team – we are grateful for each of you and appreciate your dedication and loyalty. Thank you for your commitment to providing excellent service to our customers.

We wish you all the joy and happiness of the Holiday season. May the New Year bring you good health, happiness, and prosperity. Happy Holidays from all of us at Prairie Construction!