Questions & Answers

For most projects, reaching out 6 to 12 months before your target start date is ideal. Complex projects like custom homes or major remodels may need 9 to 18 months. Earlier involvement means more value added during design and a more accurate budget from the start.

Both. We work seamlessly with your existing architect and designer, and we can also recommend trusted professionals we have worked with for years. Strong collaboration between builder and design team leads to smoother projects and better outcomes.

We start with an in-office conversation, then move into preconstruction and budget development with your design team. Construction runs with full Buildertrend visibility: live budget, daily logs, and schedule tracking. Changes are handled clearly and efficiently throughout.

We only take on as many projects as we can manage at a high level, ensuring proper supervision, schedule control, and consistent communication. We also look for alignment: clients who want a true partnership and value long-term outcomes over shortcuts.

We are the best fit for clients pursuing high-quality custom homes, major remodels, and complex additions where craftsmanship, coordination, and transparency matter. If you value a clear process and a team that can manage complexity without chaos, you are likely a great fit.

We use a structured schedule with proactive trade sequencing, confirmed lead times, and consistent field supervision. Clients track progress in real time through Buildertrend, keeping the project moving with fewer surprises and interruptions.

The most common schedule drivers are permitting, long-lead material procurement, scope changes, selection delays, unforeseen conditions, and winter weather. A thorough preconstruction phase is the most effective way to protect the schedule.

Major remodels often run several months to a year; custom homes typically run longer due to permitting and site work. We give timeline guidance after reviewing your drawings and constraints, since mountain projects carry unique schedule factors.

We use Buildertrend as our primary communication platform, giving clients a live budget view, daily logs with photos, schedule updates, and documented change decisions. Issues are surfaced early and handled with clear options and professional problem-solving.

Critical early decisions include windows and doors, cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, lighting, flooring, and exterior materials. Many carry long lead times, and locking these in early is one of the most effective ways to protect the project schedule.

You can be as involved as you want. Key input is needed at approvals, selections, and change decisions. Buildertrend gives you full visibility into the budget, schedule, and daily progress without requiring you to be on-site.

Because Big River Builders operates on a cost-plus model, we do not have change orders. When a client requests a change during construction, we review the scope, discuss any cost or schedule implications, and obtain approval before proceeding. The costs are then incorporated into our live budget in Buildertrend and our team continues to operate efficiently with no hiccups or conflicts that normally arrise with the lump sum building model.

We build budgets as an evolving process using real market pricing, historical benchmarks, and realistic allowances. As drawings and selections mature, we tighten the numbers to eliminate surprises and increase clarity before construction starts.

Cost-plus means you pay actual construction costs plus a clearly defined builder fee. It is the most transparent and flexible structure available, keeping the focus on quality and execution rather than protecting a fixed number.

Costs vary significantly based on scope, conditions, finish level, and site logistics. Rather than quoting a generic price per square foot, we build a realistic budget in preconstruction based on your specific project, helping you align design and expectations before construction begins.

Low bids often hide scope gaps, unrealistic allowances, or quality shortfalls that cost more later. In custom construction, the goal is not the lowest initial number. It is predictability, transparency, quality execution, and a team you can trust.

We combine high craftsmanship standards with a disciplined, transparent process. Clients consistently value our cost-plus model, rigorous preconstruction and budgeting, strong scheduling, Buildertrend visibility, trusted trade relationships, and accountable job site management.

We serve the greater Park City area and Wasatch Back, including Park City neighborhoods, Deer Valley, The Colony, Promontory, Glenwild, Tuhaye, Midway, and the Kamas Valley. Our experience and trade relationships are built around mountain construction in Summit and Wasatch counties.

Cost-plus means you pay actual construction costs plus a defined builder fee. It delivers full transparency through Buildertrend, flexibility when details evolve, and aligned incentives. Rather than protecting a fixed number, our focus stays on craftsmanship, schedule, and your goals.

We start with an in-office conversation, then move into preconstruction: coordinating with your design team, evaluating site conditions, and developing a realistic budget. Once scope and cost are aligned, we execute a Construction Agreement and build with full transparency through Buildertrend.

We start with an in-office conversation, then move into preconstruction: a 3D scan of your home, collaborative budget development, and design coordination. Once the scope and numbers align, we execute a Construction Agreement and build with full transparency through Buildertrend.