Christensen Construction traces its beginning back to 1969 when Don Christensen and Curt Larson started building grain bins for farmers and commercial elevators.
While a high school student, Steve Christensen began working for the company during the summers beginning in 1973. He developed a keen interest in construction during this time and structured the remainder of his high school and college classes towards a management degree with a construction emphasis.
When Steve joined the company full time in 1980, the economy was in significant recession and many construction companies were going out of business. Several events helped Christensen Construction make it through this difficult time.
One of them was the government finance program that paid farmers to build grain bins. This gave the construction company a market to pursue when there was hardly any other construction taking place. The difference for the company this time was that instead of building 10 to 15 grain bins per year, the company now did over 100.
Another critical element was the company's movement into the commercial and public works building market. Steve secured a project with a Colorado developer who was investing heavily in an Okoboji marina even though no one else was spending much money on commercial construction in northwest Iowa.
Following his own similar introduction to the company through working the summer months in construction, Dean Christensen joined the company in 1987 after graduating with honors from Iowa State University.
As the economy rebounded, Christensen Construction continued to diversify and grow in the commercial, industrial, and community markets to this day, with annual sales of $6 - 10 million, and over 30 employees.
In 1999, the company name was changed from Christensen-Larson Construction to Christensen Construction & Design Company, Inc. reflecting the purchase of Curt Larson's share of the company by Steve Christensen who is now the sole owner of the company.
Christensen Construction's formula for success is based on its people, equipment, and self performance of many of the trades of general contract work. With their range of capabilities, they can set the schedule rather than rely on a lot of individual subcontractors.
Christensen Construction has employed many of its people for over fifteen years. These competent employees have developed a positive "can do" environment where the benchmark of performance is significantly higher than that of other northwest Iowa construction companies. This admirable work ethic is a competitive trait among co-workers at Christensen Construction.
Christensen Construction continues to invest in the equipment, people, and technology necessary to stay on the leading edge of construction practice.