Dawson Construction
Dawson Construction is an employee-owned general contractor founded in 1967 that delivers healthcare, education, government, affordable housing, marine, and tribal construction across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington, self-performing over 60% of project scope from offices in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Bellingham.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Dawson Construction does
Dawson Construction LLC is a private, employee-owned general contractor founded in 1967 by Jack Dawson in Southeast Alaska, now headquartered in Juneau, AK, with additional offices in Ketchikan, AK and Bellingham, WA. The firm delivers commercial, education, healthcare, government, multi-family/marine infrastructure, and tribal construction projects across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington, self-performing more than 60% of project scope across trades including structural concrete, steel erection, rough and finish carpentry, exterior envelope systems, roofing, and drywall. Contract delivery spans lump sum, cost-plus, GMP, unit price, and design-build (DBIA-aligned) under a preconstruction-led approach with constructability reviews, value engineering using a Target Value Design methodology, and weekly owner communication.
Revenue is generated through project-based general contracting services under competitive bid and design-build proposal channels, supplemented by self-perform construction work that captures direct margin on critical-path scope. Long-tenured client relationships anchor demand, including a 20+ year partnership with SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), multi-project relationships with the Bellingham School District and Bellingham Housing Authority, and 117 completed tribal projects with Alaska Native corporations and tribal entities (Goldbelt, Sealaska, Tlingit and Haida, Lummi Nation, and others). The firm maintains approximately 18 months of forward backlog, 60+ active projects, and a database of 600+ qualified subcontractors in Washington, with twelve Project Labor Agreements signed over the past decade. Operational differentiation is supported by an EMR of 0.66 and a recordable incident rate under 1.65, both meaningfully below industry averages (1.0 and 2.5 respectively), and by an INAGC-accredited apprenticeship program plus a DoD SkillBridge pipeline.
Dawson Construction firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dawson Construction
- Legal name
- Dawson Construction LLC
- Website
- https://dawson.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Dawson Construction is an employee-owned general contractor founded in 1967 that delivers healthcare, education, government, affordable housing, marine, and tribal construction across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington, self-performing over 60% of project scope from offices in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Bellingham.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dawson Construction industry classification
Industry- Product category
- General Construction Services
- NAICS
- Construction (23), Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (237), Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (23811), Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (238120)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Operative Builders (1531), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Works General Contracting (IMAFAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA), Construction Management (Agency/Owner’s Rep) (IMAFAAAC), Bridge & Viaduct Construction (IMAFAEAB)
Keywords
Where Dawson Construction is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Dawson Construction business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- General Contracting Services: Dawson generates revenue as a general contractor delivering construction projects across commercial, education, healthcare, government, infrastructure, and multi-family sectors. They work under various contract types including Lump Sum, Cost Plus, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), and Unit Price. Projects range from renovation work to new construction, with contract values varying based on scope and sector.
- Self-Perform Construction Work: Dawson self-performs over 60% of the work on every project, including earthwork, structural concrete, steel erection, rough and finish carpentry, exterior envelope systems, door and hardware installation, roofing, and gypsum wallboard. This direct control over major scopes provides schedule, quality, and safety advantages.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Construction projects are bid individually with custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Dawson Construction product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dawson Construction is a full-service general contractor delivering commercial, education, healthcare, government, infrastructure, and multi-family construction projects across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington. The firm self-performs over 60% of project work—including earthwork, structural concrete, steel erection, carpentry, exterior envelope systems, and roofing—and delivers projects under Lump Sum, Cost Plus, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), and Unit Price contracts using CM/GC, design-build, and design-bid-build delivery methods.
Product overview
Dawson Construction is a third-generation general contractor offering a comprehensive portfolio of construction services across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington. The company operates with a core service model centered on self-performing over 60% of construction work, supported by service modules including Preconstruction Services, Design-Build Services, Value Engineering, and a Predictable Delivery Program. Their workforce development programs include an INAGC-accredited Apprenticeship Program (carpentry, heavy equipment operation, cement masonry), Summer Internship Program for construction students, and DoD SkillBridge Program for military veterans. The company delivers projects across five primary sectors: Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Government, Infrastructure, and Multi-Family Housing, with project types ranging from schools and hospitals to harbors and affordable housing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- General Contracting Services Full-service general contractor providing construction delivery under Lump Sum, Cost Plus, GMP, and Unit Price contracts, with self-perform capabilities for earthwork, structural concrete, steel erection, rough and finish carpentry, exterior envelope systems, door and hardware installation, roofing, and gypsum wallboard.
- Preconstruction Services Early-stage project planning including conceptual cost estimating, constructability reviews, value analysis, phasing and site planning, subcontractor procurement, CPM scheduling, quality assurance, and Building Information Modeling.
- Design-Build Services Integrated design and construction delivery where Dawson holds one contract from concept through closeout, partnering with design firms to shape design during the process with constructability input from day one.
- Value Engineering Continuous cost optimization exercise throughout design evaluating alternatives for cost, schedule, and quality impact, using Target Value Design methodology with options backed by real-world pricing from self-perform crews and subcontractors.
- Self-Perform Construction Direct execution of over 60% of project work using in-house crews covering earthwork, structural concrete, steel erection, rough and finish carpentry, exterior envelope systems, door and hardware installation, roofing, and gypsum wallboard.
- Predictable Delivery Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Whatcom Middle School delivered a full year ahead of schedule
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Dawson Construction
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Dawson Construction technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Dawson Construction partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SEARHC (SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium)core20+ year strategic partnership with Southeast Alaska's largest healthcare provider. Projects include Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital ER replacement, Wrangell Medical Center, Vintage Park Medical Office Building ($31M), Vintage Park Dental Clinic, and ongoing Haines hospital and workforce housing. Dawson has become the trusted builder for SEARHC healthcare facilities across the region.
- Sealaska Heritage InstitutecoreLong-standing partnership building culturally significant projects including the Walter Soboleff Building (35,000 SF with climate-controlled archives, exhibit space, and cedar clan house) and the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. These landmark projects serve to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures in Juneau.
- NCSG (National Construction Solutions Group)minorCoast-to-coast network of contractors founded in 1998 sharing honest cost data, hard-won lessons, and smarter ways to build. Dawson shares performance data with the group and receives suggestions for improvement, bringing national network strength with local company heart.
- GoldbeltcoreAlaska Native corporation partnership with 117 tribal partnership projects completed to date, including totem pole restoration, cultural centers, and tribal government facilities across Southeast Alaska.
- Lummi Nation (Lhaq'temish)corePartnership supporting Lummi Nation community projects including Eagle Haven Tiny Home Village, Boys & Girls Club Kids Auction, Lummi Victims of Crime domestic violence shelter, and Northwest Indian College workforce programs.
- Ketchikan Indian CommunitycorePartnership with tribal entity for projects serving Ketchikan Indian Community members.
- Bellingham Housing AuthoritycoreMajor partnership delivering Samish Commons ($78M, 171 affordable homes) and other affordable housing projects for BHA.
- Mercy Housing NorthwestcorePartnership for affordable housing projects including Millworks Family Housing, Eleanor Apartments, and Barkley Family Housing.
- INAGC (International Masonry Institute)minorINAGC-accredited apprenticeship sponsor for carpentry, heavy equipment operation, and cement masonry trades, providing journey-level credentials for Dawson apprentices.
- Associated General Contractors of WashingtonminorLongtime AGC member hosting chapter events, student site visits, and sponsoring four-year journey-level training program in carpentry, heavy equipment, and cement masonry.
- Western Washington UniversityminorEducation partner for intern recruitment and construction management student pipeline. Dawson recruits from WWU campus and has completed multiple campus construction projects.
- Bellingham Technical CollegeminorEducation partner for technician training and workforce development. Dawson funds BTC scholarships and recruits graduates.
- University of Alaska SoutheastminorEducation partner in Alaska for workforce pipeline development and construction management recruitment.
- Whatcom Community Collegeminor40-year partnership beginning with WCC's first campus buildout in 1986 including Laidlaw Center, gym, pavilion, and tennis courts. Dawson funds endowed scholarships at WCC.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dawson Construction competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Swinerton: Employee-owned general contractor with strong Pacific Northwest presence and similar multi-family, healthcare, and commercial project portfolio. Directly competes in the Bellingham/Washington market.
- Hensel Phelps: Employee-owned national GC with comparable self-perform capabilities, design-build delivery, and institutional/government client base. Represents the scaled-up version of Dawson's operating model.
- Granite Construction: Heavy civil and infrastructure contractor with West Coast presence. Comparable on marine/infrastructure project work and public-sector contract types, though focused more on transportation infrastructure than vertical buildings.
- Turner Construction Company: Largest U.S. general contractor by revenue with strong healthcare, education, and government portfolios. Provides a benchmark for the scaled ceiling of Dawson's institutional GC model, though with vastly broader geographic reach.
- Mortenson Construction: National employee-owned general contractor with strong healthcare, education, and government portfolios. Comparable employee-ownership structure and design-build delivery model, though operating at much larger scale.
- Kiewit Construction: Employee-owned national contractor with infrastructure and building construction capabilities. Comparable on heavy/civil infrastructure scope (bridges, marine) and self-perform depth, though at far larger scale.
Regional players
- Walsh Construction: Pacific Northwest general contractor (Walsh Group's regional arm) with comparable institutional, healthcare, and education focus. Competes for similar public-sector work in Washington state.
- Absher Construction Company: Pacific Northwest-based general contractor focused on multi-family housing, education, and healthcare. Comparable self-perform capabilities and project types in the Washington market, though operating primarily in Puget Sound region.
Direct peers
- Cornerstone General Contractors: Alaska-headquartered general contractor delivering commercial, healthcare, education, and government projects across the state. Directly comparable in regional scope and self-perform capabilities.
- Davis Constructors & Engineers: Alaska-based general contractor with similar institutional, healthcare, education, and government focus. Closest direct comparable in geography and project mix to Dawson's Southeast Alaska operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dawson Construction social profiles
Digital presenceDawson Construction financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dawson Construction leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Dawson Construction funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dawson Construction M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dawson Construction
What does Dawson Construction do?
Dawson Construction is a full-service general contractor delivering commercial, education, healthcare, government, infrastructure, and multi-family construction projects across Southeast Alaska and Northwest Washington. The firm self-performs over 60% of project work—including earthwork, structural concrete, steel erection, carpentry, exterior envelope systems, and roofing—and delivers projects under Lump Sum, Cost Plus, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), and Unit Price contracts using CM/GC, design-build, and design-bid-build delivery methods.
Is Dawson Construction a public or private company?
Dawson Construction is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Dawson Construction founded?
Dawson Construction was founded in 1967. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Dawson Construction based?
Dawson Construction is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dawson Construction make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. General Contracting Services are the primary driver. The others are self-Perform Construction Work.
Who are Dawson Construction's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Swinerton, Hensel Phelps, Granite Construction, Turner Construction Company, Mortenson Construction and Kiewit Construction. Regional players are Walsh Construction and Absher Construction Company. Direct peers are Cornerstone General Contractors and Davis Constructors & Engineers.
Does Dawson Construction have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dawson Construction.
What industry is Dawson Construction in?
Dawson Construction's product category is General Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAAAG, Public Works General Contracting, with a secondary code of IMAFACAA, Office & Corporate Building Construction. Its NAICS code is 23 and its SIC code is 1540.