Customer comments on our construction services
The following are a few testimonials from our construction services clients.
We serve clients throughout the Northern Great Lakes Region with our construction services. We would be pleased to discuss your construction project with you.
Adams Township Schools
“GCI was the General Contractor for the 2019 Additions and Renovations Bond Project for Adams Township Schools. Work was primarily done in Jeffers High School in Painesdale, Michigan; with a significant amount of work also done in South Range Elementary a few miles away. I was engaged as a consultant for the school to work as the Owner’s Representative for two years, working during pre-bond, design, and construction.
I cannot commend enough the fine work done by GCI as contractors and managers. Their careful attention to detail, schedule, and completion of timely phases of work was greatly appreciated.
It should be noted that this was a very complex project, with a primary component being the construction of a new cafeteria contiguous to the 3rd floor of a 1905 school, over an existing gym. Quite likely one of the few, if the only, project of its type in the nation. Significant structural work was done to accommodate this construction, and all work was done safely and in a timely, coordinated manner. All finishes were done and construction completed while students were in session in adjacent classrooms. It was also a homecoming of sorts for GCI, as Herman Gundlach Construction built the original Jeffers High School in 1905 and also built the gym and pool additions in 1934.
Special attention was given to additional layout and re-checking of dimensions whenever discrepancies arose in the construction documents, and GCI maintained this follow-through in all phases. The entire organization was unflagging in their efforts to resolve any and all issues and insure a quality final product for the taxpayers, staff, students and administration of Adams Township Schools.”
Tim Seppanen, Mill Creek North Consulting
Imelda Properties Renovation
“Our project involved a 5000+ square foot renovation of a building in downtown Marquette. The project presented two distinct challenges. The first was the dilapidated condition of the building with the second being the limited access to the building due to a zero lot line situation. Given the difficulty of its access issues, the Gundlach Champion team hand carried rubble out of the basement, up a set of stairs, and down the City owned walkway to a dumpster. In addition, equipment had to be brought in to remove a utility pole from the rear of our property, which was very problematic due to its location, but GCI found a way. In spite of the frustration of dealing with the project’s challenges, GCI project manager, Ross Bennett, and site manager, Rob Berg, were professional and pleasant. Even in times that must have felt like a crisis, Ross and Rob kept a cool head and got us through.
Michigan Technological University
I have only been employed as a facilities engineer at Michigan Tech since the end of June 2015 and Gundlach Champion has been the successful bidder on two major projects that I have managed in that time span.
The first project GCI worked on was the No. 2 Fuel Oil Tank Secondary Containment Area in the 4th quarter of 2015. It entailed a large 7,400 square foot concrete containment area and an adjoining 2,400 square foot tanker truck unloading area. The project also included the setting of six horizontal storage tanks with capacities of 35,000 gallons each. Construction could not start until October 20 due to the demolition of a building located on the site and had to be completed by December 31 due to a “stop usage deadline on the existing university vertical storage tank”. Gundlach Champion finished construction December 8, well ahead of the deadline.
Marquette County Jail
Gundlach Champion was contracted to renovate the Marquette County Jail in 2015 under a Design Build delivery method. Gundlach Champion did an excellent job incorporating all the different elements and trades necessary to complete this project. GCI provided responsive communication and very accurate record keeping. The entire process went very well.
Gundlach’s solid building experience and contacts allowed them to perform at a high level when working on this complicated building renovation. Any issue I had during construction or planning was immediately addressed, and follow-up completed. I never had to request “As Builts” or “Project Submittals” it happened automatically making it easier for me to keep track of the project. GCI truly wants to make your project successful.
– Aaron Karlstrom, Facilities Manager, County of Marquette Michigan
K.I. Sawyer Waste Water Treatment Plant
It was clear from the start that Gundlach Champion was very experienced in this type of work. For the timeline of this complicated project to work while the existing treatment processes were operating, a strong understanding of how the plant functioned and how it was going to work after completion was critical. Gundlach Champion kept the project on track and kept us well informed on the project progress and when we were ready to move onto the next step.
The entire Gundlach Champion crew was very professional, and safety was always foremost in their daily operations. Gundlach Champion had a great working relationship with the sub-contractors, which kept the project moving along with no major conflicts. A small mistake during a wastewater treatment plant construction can cause serious environmental violations and safety hazards. For this reason, plant upgrades are dreaded times for a wastewater plant supervisor. Gundlach Champion listened to our concerns, kept us informed, and made sure we were 100% comfortable with each construction stage before it was started.
– Nicholas Hautamaki, K.I. Sawyer Water/Wastewater Department Supervisor, County of Marquette
K.I. Sawyer Waste Water Treatment Plant
Marquette County contracted Gundlach Champion for a 3.5 million dollar renovation to the K. I. Sawyer WWTP. This scope of this project was the upgrade of a one million gallon per day design Rotating Biological Contactor Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to an Activated Sludge WWTP. The project was challenging as the plant needed to remain operational throughout the project. Gundlach Champion team worked with our staff, the engineers and subcontractors to maintain seamless operations and complete the project correctly and on time.
This project, as bid, came in over budget. Gundlach Champion worked with the engineer to get the project within budget and still provide a workable project. Towards the end of the project when contingency funds remained, Gundlach Champion held their price on the work previously deleted, even though almost two years had passed. For other change orders, they provided detailed cost breakdowns that justified the costs, making my recommendation for approval with the County Board easier.
In the past, I have worked with Gundlach Champion on other building projects at Sawyer International Airport and have always found the staff and work to be excellent. They manage the projects well and follow the specifications and drawings accurately. Gundlach Champion’s efficiency results in less oversight required from the engineer and owner compared to many other contractors.
– Steven J. Schenden P.E., Director of Sawyer Operations
Graymont Port Inland Plant
Working with Gundlach Champion was effortless. We contracted GCI to change out our baghouse outlet ducting, which they did in a safe and timely manner to meet our outage timelines. When Gundlach Champion brought in their Safety Coordinator, it set the tone for the duration of the job that safety was first. The Safety Coordinator came in the week previous to the project’s start to assure all safety concerns were addressed.
They planned all aspects of the project well ahead of time. GCI management and crew members had positive attitudes and were open minded to ideas while working with other contractors and us during the plant outage.
– Steve White, Maintenance Supervisor
Range Bank
Gundlach Champion has been our general contractor on all of our projects and they have done an excellent job for us. The projects include a brand new branch office in Houghton, renovations in Negaunee, and multi-phase renovation in Marquette.
Gundlach Champion is always positive, accommodating and very easy to work with. Communication is the key to any large project and GCI did a great job keeping us informed every step of the way. Gundlach Champion treated our project as if it was its own when it came to questions and concerns. For example, GCI brought an issue with the architectural drawings to our attention and provided a money-saving option to resolve it.
– Roxanne Daust, Executive Vice President
Range Bank
We hired Gundlach Champion for the construction of a new 4,000 sq. ft. branch bank facility in Houghton, Michigan. It began on time, was completed on schedule, and within budget. This project was the fifth construction project I have worked on with Gundlach Champion. The other projects involved three new properties and two renovations. The largest of these was an extensive renovation and rebuild of a 32,000 sq. ft. building in Marquette, which is now our main office. Working with Gundlach Champion has been a rewarding experience. The people, from top management to on-site project managers, are professional, talented and courteous.
GCI brings an excellent level of communications from day one to project completion. I have found that approach delivers prompt attention, responsiveness, and solutions to any issues that may arise. Another value is the longevity of its staff. By and large the same people that I worked with on our first project 15 years ago are the same people I’m working with today. The GCI team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to a project.
– Scott Reilly, Range Bank Consultant/Owners Representative
City of Ishpeming
Gundlach Champion renovated several key facilities for Ishpeming as part of a $1.6 million dollar improvement project funded by the USDA. It was an excellent experience working with GCI. The entire team was very professional. The project included many difficult renovations, which Gundlach Champion completed essentially on time and very close to budget.
– Mark Slown, City Manager