Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Choosing a Contractor that is Right for Your Project

Are you considering or planning a construction project for 2024? Choosing the right contractor for your project is perhaps the most critical decision you will make in the planning process.

There are many construction companies to choose from, making it difficult to know which is the right one for you and your project. The Prairie Construction team offers some qualities to look for when choosing your contractor:

  • Safety Record. Prioritizing safety is critical to any construction company. Choose a company that has a strong safety record, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions related to job-site safety practices.
  • Commitment to Deadlines and Budget. A reputable contractor will share your desire to stay on deadline and on budget. While unexpected things may occur during a project, working with a contractor who is committed to staying on deadline and on budget will make the project run smoothly.
  • Relevant Experience. Because there are so many contractors to choose from, narrowing your list to companies that have experience with projects similar to yours will put you one step closer to a successful project.
  • Ask for References! Like any other major decision, checking references from past clients that a contractor has worked with will not only give you peace of mind but will also shed valuable insight on what you can expect during the process.
  • It may not seem important, but you will spend a great deal of time communicating with your contractor throughout the process, so choose someone who prioritizes customer service, is responsive, and listens to your ideas and preferences.

Completing a construction project is exciting, and the process doesn’t have to be stressful. Call the Prairie Construction team today to discuss your upcoming project.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Pottawattamie County Roads Operations Center

The Prairie Construction team recently completed a project for the Pottawattamie County Roads Operations Center.

The project involved the construction of a vehicle maintenance building with office space, located at 101 Ingenium Way in Council Bluffs. As part of the Pottawattamie County Secondary Roads Department, the new building is located just north of the Council Bluffs Airport.

The maintenance building is 22,300 sq feet, and the office building is approximately 7,200 sq feet. We collaborated with HGM Associates Inc. from Council Bluffs on the design of the buildings.

The new maintenance building resulted in the consolidation of five existing spaces into three, more efficient and adequate spaces.

Read more about the project here.

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 Uncategorized

Congratulations Nebraska Chapter of the National Safety Council

It was an honor for the Prairie Construction team to partner with the Nebraska Chapter of the National Safety Council on the construction of a new office.

The new office, located at 3111 Oakview Drive in Omaha, is a much larger space to accommodate their growth and expansion of services.

The new office will allow for more hands on experiences and learning opportunities for the organization.

Congratulations – it was a pleasure to collaborate with you on this project!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Tom Schroeder Celebrates 30 Years!

Prairie Construction recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of Tom Schroeder, a General Superintendent.

Steve is a valued member of the Prairie Construction team and has played a key role on countless projects over the years.  He has managed jobs of all sizes all over town, and he is the best when it comes to completing jobs on deadline.

“Tom works hard every day to make sure each job is done well and on time ,” said Steve Rease. “He’s a great manager, and our crews, subcontractors, and clients all love working with him.”

His experience is invaluable, and his dedication to the team, commitment to quality work, and personality make him irreplaceable.

Thank you, Tom for 30 years of dedicated service to Prairie Construction!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Jordan Bartels, Project Manager

Prairie Construction is proud to introduce Project Manager Jordan Bartels. Jordan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Engineering with a Bachelor’s in Construction Engineering, and he joined the Prairie team in July 2022.

Prior to joining Prairie Construction, Jordan worked at a few local construction companies, gaining experience is estimating, scheduling, and project management. He developed an expertise in scheduling after training in various scheduling techniques.

“Planning and scheduling is vital in a project’s success, it is a great tool to communicate the successes and shortfalls of a project,” he said. “A schedule can indicate how a project is progressing. Without proper planning and scheduling a project cannot obtain its objectives in a timely and cost effective manner.”

We first met Jordan three years ago while working together at Creighton University on various projects. We recognized his skills as a scheduler, and his ability to coordinate between project managers and clients to keep project running efficiently and on time.  

“Jordan has been an excellent addition to the Prairie team,” said Matt Schuman. “He cares about our clients’ wants, needs, and project objectives, and he does everything he can to ensure our client’s goals are met, and they are pleased with the end product.”

Jordan was drawn to Prairie Construction because we are a smaller company that values a work-life balance while encouraging our employees’ growth.

“Working with Prairie at Creighton it was easy to tell that they take great pride in their work, and being experts in the field,” he said. “I also love their commitment to making our community better, I couldn’t be prouder working here and I hope I can add value to the Prairie Construction team!”

We think you have already added value to the Prairie team Jordan, and we are so happy you are part of our team!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

Update on Bennington Elementary School

Last Spring we announced the launch of another school project for Prairie Construction – a new elementary school in the Bennington School District.

We are pleased to share an update that the school will officially be named Stratford Elementary. The school is located at the southwest corner of 168th & Military and will welcome approximately 500 students in August for the 2022/23 school year. The school is close to 68,000 square feet.

The elementary school was recently featured in an Omaha World Herald article, along with an update on the new Bennington Middle School. The Prairie Construction team has been hard at work on the elementary school, and we are on deadline to complete the project in June or July of 2022.

The Prairie Construction team is skilled at building schools. We understand the planning and coordination required to meet safety standards and complete the project on deadline and on budget. We are proud to be in the homestretch of another school in the Omaha metro area.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Current Projects

WarSader Shield Tradition Begins

We love a good rivalry!

The girls’ basketball teams from Omaha Westside and Omaha Marian were tied at 30 wins each, dating back to 1977, when they met last week on the court. Terry Hanna from the Westside Community Schools Foundation had to the idea to commemorate this epic tiebreaker with a lasting trophy.

The Prairie Construction team was asked to create a special trophy to celebrate the history between the two teams and establish a new tradition. The WarSader Shield – a combination of Warriors and Crusaders – was created.

The Prairie Construction team created the solid oak shield, which weighs 50 pounds. Terry Hanna’s wife added some details to the trophy which will travel back and forth between winners.

The Westside Warriors ended on top after this game, so they are the first team to keep possession of the WarSader, which was signed by the members of both team after the game.

You can read more about the WarSader Shield, and the game here.

We were happy to play a role in this new tradition. It is a fun opportunity for our team to work on unique projects like this!

 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Prairie Construction Wins ICF Builders Award

Prairie Construction was proud to be recognized by Insulated Concrete Forms Magazine in their annual awards.

Our project for the Ashbury Elementary School in the Papillion/LaVista Public Schools was named runner-up in the Education category of the ICF Builders Awards.

Ashbury Elementary School was built with high-performance ICF wall assembly designed for maximum energy efficiency. This structural design feature allowed our team to continue working throughout the winter, and as a result, the project was competed 3 months faster than a nearby school built with traditional designs.

The 55,000 sq ft elementary school is located in Papillion at 11740 S. 120th St.

You can learn more about our award-winning project here.

Congratulations to everyone on the Prairie Construction team who helped with this beautiful school!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Company News

Time to Winterize Your Home

We have enjoyed warmer-than-average temperatures this Fall, but we know winter is coming. The experts at Prairie Construction recommend homeowners take advantage of the last few days of mild temps to get their home ready for the long, cold winter.

  • Drain Your Sprinkler System. If you have an underground sprinkler system, and you have not yet had it drained, it’s time to get that done. It’s also time to disconnect hoses from outdoor water faucets. Water left in pipes can freeze and thaw throughout the winter, causing them to crack or burst, and can potentially cause major damage in your home.
  • Empty Your Gutters. The winds and rain last week brought many of the leaves down from the trees, but chances are good several of them got caught in your home’s gutters before falling to the ground. Get your gutters cleaned out now before the leaves prevent rain and snow from properly draining, leading to freezing. The weight of frozen gutters can cause damage to your roof and siding.
  • Check for Cracks and Gaps. Looks for cracks in the siding and foundation, as well as around windows and doors. Either seal them up or consider looking for services such as Siding Installation in Raleigh, NC, or house repair in your home town, to prevent cold air from coming in and warm air from going out!
  • Weatherproof Doors and Windows. You can lose a lot of energy from door and window, particularly if you live in an older home. Weatherstripping doors and windows, installing
  • Service your Furnace. If you haven’t yet, have your furnace serviced and cleaned by hiring companies such as Hollenbach Home Comfort Services (hollenbachoil.com) to ensure it functions properly throughout the winter. As part of their normal operation, furnaces emit carbon monoxide. In order to ventilate the carbon monoxide outside of your house, it is important to install an exhaust pipe. Professionals from the likes of Air Makers or similar companies can check the exhaust pipe for leaks to make sure all carbon monoxide is leaving your home and your family is not being exposed to it. And if they see anything malfunctioning, they can repair it immediately. This will also give you a chance to see if you need to get anything else in your HVAC unit repaired, or if it might be time for a new furnace soon. And don’t forget about having the chimney cleaned – especially if you plan to use a fireplace this season.

Taking the time now to get your home ready for winter before the cold and snow arrive will go a long way in helping you stay warm, conserve energy and avoid damage to your home.