Founded on Unparalleled Expertise
History
Sunkota Construction, Inc. was organized in 1996 as a general contracting firm specializing in design/build projects in the tri-state area.
The staff at Sunkota has well over 100 years of experience in general contracting and construction management gained by working with local and regional contractors. In the process, our team has developed partnerships and working relationships with local subcontractors and suppliers, and has gained knowledge and expertise in general construction practices unique to the area.
To succeed as we have in the construction business, it is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage. We use innovative approaches to improve our processes and achieve a better finished product. For example, we utilize technology that enables us to simultaneously review project drawings both in the office and in the field. On our project sites, superintendents have instant, digital access to all available documentation needed to achieve their onsite goals and succeed on the job site.
Our greatest advantage, however, is attained through the hard work and dedication of our knowledgeable staff. They consistently demonstrate the ability to complete projects on-time and on-budget, while maintaining the highest standards. This translates into low construction costs and exceptional builds for our clients.
Leaders of a Family-Oriented Team
I still drive around town and say, ‘I built that.’ I value the relationships we build with project owners. And when a job just clicks and we’re getting the work done as well and as quickly as possible, that just makes my day.President
Meet Dustin Schouten
My journey into the construction field began in Orange City, Iowa, where I went to work for a carpenter to put myself through school. I found I liked that job better than going to college, so I went to work for him full-time.
I then worked for a general contractor in Sioux Falls for seven years, and ran my own residential construction business and cabinet shop in Inwood, Iowa, for 18 years. A love of commercial construction projects drew me back to Sioux Falls where I was hired by Sunkota as a superintendent in 2014. In less than one year, I was helping previous owner Bob Fraser run the business. Not my original plan, but it sure worked out.
Chris and I come from different backgrounds and have skills that truly complement each other. I think we play well off of each other. There’s quite an age difference, but we have common goals. That makes our partnership strong. I enjoy working and interacting with our talented team; Chris loves the estimating and the equipment management. It just works.
The best part of this job is the people I work with and work for. Building the right way is great. Building a relationship is even better.Vice President
Meet Chris Rans, LEED, AP
At an early age, I learned about hard work, the value of money and business. I grew up farming and ranching, and also learned to be a jack of all trades.
At South Dakota State University (SDSU), I studied construction management and worked construction-related jobs to help pay for my education. That’s when I joined the Sunkota team. I walked onto a Sunkota jobsite at SDSU and asked the superintendent for a job. After college, I worked around the region as a field engineer, superintendent, project manager and estimator. In 2014, I had the opportunity to come back to Sunkota, so I moved my family from Spearfish to Sioux Falls.
I love estimating and bidding projects, and over the years, I've developed a particular fascination with concrete. All this expertise brings a special perspective to the business and professional relationship I share with Dustin. And when it comes to our exceptional craftsmen, you can bet if the chance to help on a jobsite comes up, I’m going to be right there getting my hands dirty.
Meet Lee Van De Walle
Meet Amy Christoffels
Accreditations
LEED® Accredited Professionals- American Concrete Institute®-certified flatwork technicians
- South Dakota Licensed Master Plumber
We Self-Perform
- Staff proficient in Primavera P6, On-Screen Takeoff®, Blue Beam®, Sage, Raken® and PlanGrid software platforms
- OSHA 30-hour trained project managers and superintendents
- OSHA 10-hour trained craftsmen