About Us

It all started when Paul Paulsen, a fisherman from Norway, founded Paulsen Construction in 1925. Paul had the vision to create a company founded upon shared values, create a culture of collaboration, and be THE preferred builder and trusted partner in every market we serve. Paul succeeded in his vision by completing many buildings in Salt Lake City, many of which still stand. These buildings include high rise apartments complexes, numerous high-end residential projects and many schools.

In the 1940’s Byron Paulsen, Paul’s son began to assume leadership of Paulsen Construction. Byron graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Civil Engineering.

In 1959, Byron started Paulsen Engineering and Manufacturing to pursue his dream of producing inventions. One of his prized inventions was a seat recliner part used in Volkswagen vehicles. Later, in 1974, Byron merged Paulsen Engineering and Manufacturing with Paulsen Construction to create Paulsen Engineering and Construction. During this time Byron was also owner/partner of ACME Crane Rental and later President of the Associated General Contractors in 1984.

Paulsen’s 3rd generation leader, Craig Paulsen, began working on Paulsen Construction projects at the early age of 6. Early in Craig’s leadership, he became an expert in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Craig built many of the Wastewater Plants in the Salt Lake Valley and its outskirts. However, Craig’s main area of interest was and still is Historical Restoration. Craig has almost single-handedly rebuilt Spring City, a small town in Central Utah.

In 2017, Craig received the Lifetime Achievement Award for historical restoration in the state of Utah, proving his dedication and excellence in the field.

Nearly a century later, in Paulsen’s 4th generation of leadership, John Paulsen, Craig’s son, leads Paulsen Construction. John has been on the job site, tool in hand, ever since he can remember. John has a unique way of going about business.

He is fair, always joking and deeply understands every aspect of construction. John has found the perfect balance between technology and “old school” techniques building Paulsen Construction into what it is today. John is a construction and community leader always looking for his next project.