Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 80 LET'S START OFF RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING PEOPLE SHOULD DO WHEN CHOOSING A BUILDER? YELLOWSTONE CUSTOM COUNTRY HOMES (YCCH): Research the builder's track record. Has he ever had lien or bank- ruptcy issues? Is his liability and workmen's compensation in order and can he provide certificates of insurance for his company and his subcontractors? Ask to have references from his last three homes and ask for a tour of at least one of them. FISHCAMP: Look at our work. You can see quality of design/ex- ecution and get an overall feel of how everything works together. BIG SKY BUILD: I feel people need to perform due diligence when selecting a builder. Make sure to check client, architect, trade, and supplier references. Also, make sure to visit a home or two as you want to see firsthand the product that the builder puts out. Furthermore, this is a long-term relationship so make sure you both feel good about it, and there is excellent communication right off the bat. Life is too short to work with someone you don't like or jive with just because they have a good reputation and deliver a nice product! WHEN PLANNING A HOME, WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME DOING? FISHCAMP: inking about how they will use their home. If it will be a seasonal home for mainly entertaining and fishing, then let's really focus on those specific areas. A full time home? ink about prominent weather direction and of course capturing views. is really helps in the long run as we can then focus on design in those areas BIG SKYBUILD: I feel people should devote more time think- ing about their overall program for the project to ensure a smooth process and to get the home that they envision. Building a home is a big investment so make sure to select the correct lot to suit your needs, think about the spaces you and your family need and want, and think about future dynamics that you may want to plan for in your design. For example, if you're going to be empty nesters in a few years you should think about that during the design process. e house will flow differently in a few years than it needs to now. YCCH: When planning a home the first step should be to deter- mine a budget. In our experience, it is common for individuals not to give adequate thought to this step and as a result end up with a "THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE IS WAITING TOO LONG TO BRING THE BUILDER INTO THE PROCESS." YELLOWSTONE CUSTOM COUNTRY HOMES CONTINUED

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