How Big-D Is Driving Commercial Construction in Idaho

How Big-D Established Its Idaho Falls Office

In 2013, after working on a project for BYU-Idaho, Andrew Wolford helped establish Big-D Construction's Idaho Falls office. More than a decade later, Wolford now serves as Vice President of the office he helped build. The timing proved significant. Eastern Idaho was entering a period of substantial growth, driving demand for commercial construction projects that would reshape communities throughout the region over the next decade.

Today, Big-D Construction is recognized as a leading commercial general contractor in Idaho and has become a trusted partner for commercial construction projects throughout the region. The team has helped deliver projects that support the communities growing around them. For the team, the work is personal. Many call Eastern Idaho home, which means the people using the buildings they construct are not strangers. They are friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbors.

"We used to be a small town, but we're in a phase of growth. Big box stores are coming, and suddenly these sleepy towns are becoming busy all the time now," said Tim Bybee, Preconstruction Manager for the Idaho Falls office.

Bybee has spent more than 25 years in the construction industry outside of Idaho and eventually returned to work for Big-D. Bybee isn't the only team member who found his way back home. Matt Blomquist, Senior Estimator for Big-D Construction for the last 12 years, also returned to Idaho after leaving briefly.

Supporting Eastern Idaho Through Commercial Construction

Over the years, the office has completed commercial construction projects across the region, including multiple projects for BYU-Idaho, the Fremont County Jail, and a school building project in Pocatello, ID, a project Blomquist is especially proud of.

According to Blomquist, by the early 2020s, Conner Academy faced a waiting list of about 200 students for grades K-8, prompting a major expansion. The need came on the heels of the pandemic, when budgets were especially tight. Big-D made it work, breaking ground in August 2022 and creating Alpine Academy, a 32,000-square-foot building with modern classrooms, collaboration spaces, and specialized areas for art, science, and music classes.

The school opened its doors in 2023, making room for more students, including those who had been waitlisted.

"My sister is a math teacher at the high school and the academies feed into the school. She tells me that anyone who comes through that school is way more advanced," said Blomquist. "It was awesome to be a project manager on this because it has made a huge positive impact on the community."

The Importance of Local Subcontractor Partnerships

Big-D's influence on the region extends beyond the projects themselves. Through relationships with local subcontractors and trade partners, the Idaho Falls team has helped bring decades of Big-D Construction knowledge and experience into Eastern Idaho's construction industry.

Natalie Hunsaker, Business Development Manager for the Idaho Falls office, has witnessed firsthand the strong relationships between subcontractors and Big-D field teams on projects and knows that communities throughout the region are receiving quality work with a hometown feel.

"We get really complex projects handed to us, and we can't do it without help from these subs," said Hunsaker. "These subs are experts in the area and always provide us with quality resources from the region."

As one of the leading commercial builders in Idaho Falls, Big-D believes successful projects depend on strong subcontractor partnerships in Eastern Idaho. The positive experience of working alongside Big-D has led many trade partners to bring lessons learned on Big-D projects to the next project.

"Our expertise influences how [other projects in the region are] getting built," said Blomquist.

A Local Contractor Touch with National Resources

The team has worked to maintain what Blomquist calls the "local contractor touch."

"The unique thing is that we have the national resources of Big-D Construction, but we are independently managed. Decisions for our projects are made in and for Idaho Falls," said Blomquist. "Customers feel important no matter what size project they have. They really get all the advantages of a multibillion-dollar company and none of the disadvantages."

This combination  has helped establish Big-D as a trusted partner for commercial construction in Idaho Falls, regional construction management, and projects across Eastern Idaho, including Rexburg, Pocatello, and surrounding communities.

The Future of Growth in Eastern Idaho

"We're in a phase where we used to be a small town, but we're growing right now," said Bybee. "The big box stores are coming to Idaho, a lot of people are moving in from out of state, and we've seen some master plans for large retailers. It's all a big deal."

As Eastern Idaho continues to grow, demand for commercial construction is expected to increase alongside new development, infrastructure investments, and expanding communities. 

Whatever comes next, the Idaho Falls team has a personal stake in getting it right. The projects aren't simply part of a growing market. They're part of the communities where Big-D team members live, work, and raise their families, and the communities they'll continue building for in the years ahead.

Planning a commercial construction project in Eastern Idaho?
Connect with Big-D Construction's Idaho Falls team to learn more about the services, experience, and local expertise that help clients bring projects from concept to completion.

Visit the Idaho Falls office page: https://www.bigdconstruction.com/offices/idaho-falls-id

Meet the Idaho Falls team: Meet the team building Eastern Idaho's future. [Watch the video]