Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

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.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

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!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

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!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Choosing the Right Commercial Contractor for You

When you’ve made the decision to undertake a commercial construction project, whether it is a renovation or a new build, the first step is to choose a contractor that is right for you.

Working with a reputable, local contractor that shares your goals and vision for the project will produce the best outcome. Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the right commercial contractor for you and your project.

  • Review their portfolio and services. Consider your project and choose a commercial contract that has proven experience in similar projects. For example, Prairie Construction has extensive experience in new school construction, making us a strong choice if your project is a new or renovated school.
  • Speak to references. You can learn so much about a prospective construction partner by speaking with references and past clients. Don’t be afraid to ask references about their experience with a contractor’s project, budget, and time management.
  • Prioritize quality over cost. The old advice “you get what you pay for” carries so much truth, even when it comes to commercial construction. Choosing a contractor based on their reputation, safety record, and commitment to quality service, and not because they have the lowest bid, will produce satisfaction and strong results.
  • Meet the Project team. You will spend a lot of time with your construction team, especially the project manager. It’s OK to ask to meet the team so you can ensure your vision and goals align.
  • Ask about their safety record. Safety is a priority on any construction project. Don’t be afraid to check the safety record before you choose a contractor.
  • Choose a local contractor. Working with a local contractor with a trusted reputation, and references you can speak to, will save you time and money because they will likely choose local subcontractors for the project.

If you are planning a new commercial build or renovation project, give the Prairie Construction team a call to see if we are right partner for you.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News, Current Projects

The Longest Day of the Year

The official start of summer is June 21 – it is also the longest day of the year!

Summer is busy for the Prairie Construction team – the days are the longer, the weather is cooperative, and it’s a great time for us to complete as many projects as we can!

Not only do we take advantage of the warm, dry weather, but we also take advantage of longer hours of daylight. And in some cases, we barely wait for the sun to rise before getting a start on the day.

That was the case recently when our team made the most of the day to pour concrete at the West Hampton Flex project at 192nd & Blondo. We used light towers to help our team make the most of day and get the concrete poured at this new construction build.

You can watch the progress here!

Posted on By JM Online Categories Company News

Prairie Construction is Hiring!

Prairie Construction has immediate openings for full-time summer or permanent construction positions. Openings include Superintendents, Laborers, 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 will begin immediately.

If interested, please apply in-person at Prairie Construction 13316 B St. in Omaha, Monday – Friday 7 am to 5 pm, or send a resume to tom@prairie-construction.com.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Prairie Partners with Procore

The Prairie Construction team is proud to announce a partnership with Procore.

Procore is a project management software used by many companies in the construction industry. The software connects each contributor to a project with the owner and the contractor with a centralized dashboard. Managers can easily handle all details of the project, schedule tasks, and view up-to-the-minute progress.

We have been very pleased with organization and efficiency Procore has brought to our projects since implementation. Communication among our partners is streamlined, and everyone has access to everything they need to do their job on time and to the project specifications.

At Prairie Construction, we have always been committed to providing quality service on deadline and on budget, for each project. With the addition of Procore, our customers can feel confident that their project will be completed on time, and they feel informed and confident every step of the way.

As you look ahead to your construction projects in 2023, you can feel confident that the Prairie Construction team will manage your project with the most efficient software in the industry. We look forward to working with you!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Industry News, Uncategorized

Time to Build

We could see an increase of close to 10 percent in construction projects in 2023, according to the American Institute of Architect’s AIA Consensus Construction Forecast. And 2024 could see an additional increase of six percent. This is great news!

The construction industry, like most industries, slowed down during the pandemic. Labor shortages and supply chain issues posed additional challenges. But things are looking up! Unemployment is low, and there are many positions available in the industry. 

Construction spending has been trending upwards this year, and is not showing signs of slowing. Projects that may have been put on hold during the pandemic are now being scheduled, and this is contributing to the brighter forecast as more businesses have returned to the office.

Are you ready to move forward with your project that has been on hold? Don’t wait any longer to reach out to the Prairie Construction team to get your renovation or new build on the schedule for 2023. We are looking forward to working and building with you!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Get Your Home Ready for Early Record Cold

The forecast is calling for record lows, the first hard freeze of the season. It might be catching some of us off guard because we have been enjoying nice days with cool nights.

The Prairie Construction team suggests a few quick things you should do around the house before the temperatures dip below freezing:

  • Make sure all windows, including the storm windows, are closed.
  • Keep your garage door closed to protect any plumbing out there and prevent cold air from entering the home.
  • Disconnect hoses from the exterior and cover the spout with a spigot cover.
  • Replace any missing insulation, especially around exposed pipes.

If you have a sprinkler system for your yard, our friends at Millard Sprinkler recommend you have your sprinkler system drained before the first freeze of the winter.

They share a helpful video for homeowners who haven’t had their system professionally drained.

The forecast has a return to unseasonably warm temperatures by the weekend, but these quick steps will prevent frozen pipes which can cause a lot of damage and are costly to repair.

The Prairie Construction team will share more tips for a thorough winterization of your home soon!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Empty Office Space Makes Renovation an Option

Pandemic restrictions have essentially been lifted, and many companies have implemented a return-to-work policy. But for several companies, it won’t be a return to “normal”. Many businesses have adopted a hybrid schedule, while others are deciding not to return at all and stay remote. That means a lot of office space is sitting empty in Omaha.

The surge in empty office spaces means renovation may be a more feasible option than building new for companies considering a change. Renovation can be a quicker, less expensive option than building new.

The Prairie Construction team recently helped Colliers International with renovation of an existing office space in the Northpark area.

Renovation projects often take less time than a new build and can be less expensive, but there are other considerations. Plans may be limited to the existing infrastructure, and the space made need modifications to comply with updated codes. 

Give the Prairie Construction team a call if you are ready to renovate existing commercial space, or to discuss potential new construction plans.