Building or remodeling a home in a mountain town is an adventure. From battling extreme weather to dealing with local logistics, the experience comes with challenges you might never face in a city. Having gone through the process myself, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the unexpected. Whether you’re considering building your dream home or tackling a renovation in a small mountain town, here’s what you need to know.
Weather Can Shut Down Your Project Anytime
In a mountain town, weather can be your worst enemy. During our build, we were hit by a once-in-a-hundred-year storm. Work stopped for weeks, and the snow piled up so high between our house and the neighbor's that it created a glacier-like mass. This wasn’t just an inconvenience; the weight of the snow pushed our walls out of alignment, requiring engineers to come in and assess the damage. We waited two months to evaluate the full extent, and by the time everything was repaired, we had racked up over $300,000 in damage. The insurance claim process alone was a part-time job! Building or remodeling in winter in a mountain town is not for the faint of heart.
Limited Local Workforce: Contractors Are in High Demand
Another major challenge is the need for more local contractors. Skilled workers are in high demand in a small mountain town hours away from the nearest city. Once you manage to get a contractor, you must be flexible. If you delay, reschedule, or have conflicts, they may move on to the next job—possibly leaving you waiting months to find another one. You quickly learn that maintaining good relationships with local contractors is crucial. If word spreads that you mistreat or underpay a contractor, finding anyone else willing to take on your project can be difficult.
The Cost and Timing of Materials
Building in a mountain town also means higher costs and slower delivery times for materials. In a city like Los Angeles, delivery fees from large retailers might be minimal or even free. But in a mountain town, delivery fees can skyrocket, sometimes as high as $1,000, especially for heavy materials. In one instance, we ordered materials only to find out that the distribution hub was just over a pass that closed for most of the winter. They couldn’t deliver until the snow melted, leading to weeks of delays.
It’s vital to double-check where materials are coming from and plan for long lead times. You might save some headaches and money if you're a DIYer with a truck to haul materials from a larger metropolitan area.
Local Bias for Local Business
One aspect of mountain town life I didn’t fully anticipate was the expectation to use local businesses for things like fireplaces, HVAC systems, and plumbing. The reasoning is simple: when something breaks or needs repair, you want the local repairmen to prioritize your home. In many of these small towns, there may be some bias if you use outside vendors, and locals may not be as quick to respond when you need help.
I took this advice to heart and purchased my fireplace from a local shop, thinking it would help in the long run. While some local service providers were incredibly responsive, not all experiences were smooth. We ran into significant issues with the fireplace company, whose owners eventually faced legal troubles. The lesson? While supporting local businesses can help build relationships, it’s still essential to vet companies thoroughly.
Wildlife: An Unexpected Challenge
Living in a mountain town means sharing your space with wildlife, which can lead to some interesting (and sometimes embarrassing) situations. At about 8,200 feet, our backyard is also the habitat of a bear family. One night, after the construction crew left food waste in our bin, we awoke to the sound of bears rummaging through the trash. The following day, the mess was strewn across the neighborhood, and it was clear which house was responsible. It's a bit embarrassing when you’re the only house with piles of trash in front, and everyone knows exactly where it came from! Not only do you have to clean up, you have to reassure your neighbors that you know better and won’t attract dangerous predators with your negligence in the future. Lesson learned.
Unexpected Perks: Local Contractor Housing and Tight-Knit Communities
Despite the challenges, there were some unexpected perks. Many contractors from larger cities like Los Angeles were eager to work for us because we allowed them to stay in our homes while they worked on the project. We had our wallpaper installer and cabinet maker staying with us for periods, which allowed us to save money on the work while giving them a fun place to stay. This created a more customized, home-like project experience than we might have had in a traditional city build.
The small-town feel also meant neighbors knew who we were and kept an eye on the property. There’s a comforting aspect to that slower pace of life where everyone looks out for each other. In some ways, it feels like a built-in neighborhood watch.
Costs Can Easily Spiral
One of the hardest lessons we learned is that building in a mountain town often costs far more than anticipated. We spent six times more than originally budgeted, and we’re not alone in this experience. Many others in our area have shared similar stories. Unless you're a DIYer who can handle much of the work yourself or someone who can haul materials in from a nearby city, you should plan for expenses to exceed initial estimates.
Hiring a watchdog project manager helped keep some of our costs in check, but that came with challenges. Although the manager did a great job of keeping contractors accountable and on budget, personality conflicts arose between him and the contractors. Ultimately, we had to let him go to keep the peace, but having someone monitor your budget can save money in the long run.
The Final Outcome: Worth the Hassle
In the end, despite all the challenges and headaches, we now have a mountain home that is beyond our wildest dreams. It’s a place where our family can gather for holidays, active vacations, and quiet moments of rest. We designed the space for communal fun, game nights, movie watching, hiking, and all the family activities that bring us closer together. It’s also the perfect romantic getaway, with plenty of space for our dog to run wild.
If I could go back and do it again, I would certainly do things differently—simpler finishes, more DIY, and better planning for material deliveries. But in the end, I don’t regret the decision. Our home is a place filled with love, laughter, and memories. I write this as a warning to anyone considering building in a mountain town: be prepared for the challenges, and find someone who has done it before to help guide you. Proper planning, flexibility, and patience can be worth every bit of effort.
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