New Prairie Construction Company

We are a full-service, insured general contractor serving the Champaign, IL area. We specialize in remodeling, additions, historic restoration, home energy, solar panels, straw bale construction, and green techniques and materials.

We — Julie Vogel Birdwell and Jill Mulder — began New Prairie Construction Company in 1988. Both of us wanted to make a living in the Champaign – Urbana area doing quality work with an emphasis on customer service. Our hands-on carpentry and construction experience with Working Women Construction was the foundation of our young company. We worked on a wide range of home improvement projects, often in older or historic buildings.

In 1997, New Prairie was awarded the inspiring job of remodeling the Old Town Champaign residence known as the Wilber Mansion. Suddenly we needed our first employees. Year by year we have continued to grow, and now a dozen skilled staff make up the company.

As our company grew, so did our interests in conservation and preservation. We began to seek out historical renovation projects, including the Orpheum Theatre (now the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum) in Champaign, and the McDowell House, an 1870s Victorian Italianate in eastern Illinois. We are keenly interested in sustainable and green construction methods, a passion that led us to build Urbana’s first straw bale house and studio.

Today, our work encompasses additions of all sizes, kitchen and bathroom remodels, porches and decks, and numerous specialty projects. We integrate technically advanced products with traditional materials and techniques. Continuing education keeps our crew on top of lead safety methods, best practices in remodeling, and green building innovations.

We focus on the “little things” that we know aren’t so little to you: uninterrupted work schedules, daily cleanup of the work site, and respect for your space and property. New Prairie’s commitment to customer service, communication, and accommodation has earned us a long list of satisfied and repeat customers.

By seeking additional training and certifications we have expanded our base to include the following areas of expertise:

Energy efficiency and comfort (We have Building Performance Institute certified staff)
Solar panel installation (NABCEP certified staff)
New Prairie has been a member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association since 2010
Mixing and applying historic lime mortars and plasters (see U.S. Heritage)
Wood window restoration
Making and applying natural paints and finishes
Certified lead containment and cleaning methods (see our Lead-Safe Remodeling page for more info)
Straw bale building

We have been honored with 20 different awards for our work, and have been accredited with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.