Engelke Construction Solutions provides companies full service design / build, construction management, and facility maintenance. When a company is ready to build a building, Engelke starts by helping them determine the location, if the location will work for their needs, develop an understanding of the type of construction needed,  determine a budget, and set up a schedule. Then they will manage the process of constructing the building including working with architects to design the space, work with the people doing the building work, and governments that need to handle inspections and zoning. Once the building has been built, it is still necessary to deal with any issues that come up and have the building maintained and repaired. Engelke Construction Solutions can manage that process as well, helping businesses find who they need to address their problem and make sure the work is done to everyone’s satisfaction.

Eric Engelke went to work for contractors and enjoyed the work, but he had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. He took the plunge in 2007 and launched Engelke Construction Solutions. The economy was about to take a turn and construction didn’t do well during that recession, but Eric found a niche in repairing people’s homes. No matter the financial situation, people had to maintain their home and he was able to do that work. Until 2015, he and his team took any job that came along. If a home owner needed a mailbox installed, he and his team would do it. And while that particular job wasn’t necessarily the future, those relationships built through those early years sustained his business and set the culture he has today.

Finding the right people is the hardest. We are growing rapidly – we went from two people in our facilities team to nine is a very short time. We need people who will come in with high integrity, take pride in their work, be willing to learn, and have a strong work ethic. They need to communicate to be understood rather than to hear themselves talk. Once here, our people stay and enjoy their jobs so we want to be sure the co-workers we bring in will fit well. 

We do projects in 46 states in the United States. When a project comes in, we have a database of contractors who can do the work in that area. So for example, we manage all of the Pets Supplies Plus buildings. If there is a roof leak in Clovis California, they call us and we manage the process to get that quoted, scheduled, and repaired. 

In 1994 the U.S. Green Building Council established a set of standards and a certification for new construction called LEED. The idea is when building a building you use sustainable practices. So for example, when you select a site, if there is a building on that site, LEED wants you to reuse that building as much as possible. If possible, you incorporate roof gardens, landscaping around the building, work to conserve water, possibly through recycling gray water (water that has been used once already), and ways to catch and use rain water. Several of our clients have wanted to build LEED standard buildings and we are able and ready to help them do so. 

Every building built must go through a process with the local government to ensure it complies with all the laws and regulations. But when you are interacting with a governmental agency, you really always have to remember there are two audiences: the person you are talking with, and the constituents they represent – the tax payers. That person may have to defend what you agree on or how they interpret the law. It is really important to listen and ask questions with intent so you can be sure you are setting that person up for success. You want them to be an advocate for you and your project. 

We post all our positions on-line, but our best employees come from referrals. Employees who work here will tell their friends about openings because they want them to have a great work environment and they know if they will fit in. 

Why do you like working here?

Our culture is contagious. We are a team – you are never alone and have the support you need to always be successful. Mistakes are looked at as learning opportunities and everyone is tasked with the things they are good at. We never want someone having to do something they hate. At the same time, we do offer opportunities for growth and we want to teach people as much as they want to learn. Everyone here gets what we are doing, wants to be a part of it, and understands how their work fits into the bigger picture. And that gives us an edge because our people enjoy what they do.