“People come to Montana to experience the great outdoors and enjoy more room.” Montana is known for its breathtaking vistas and invigorating outdoor lifestyle. “Anywhere you look, you’re within 60 miles of the mountains,” says Sam He helps clients understand the lay of the land and what a Montana home requires. “Our winters are extreme, so we have to use a lot of insulation and heating techniques,” he says.

Shifting paths.
Peila began building in 1997, starting with a spec home that sold after its first open house. 

“I owned an insurance agency before that, but I felt the need to have some splinters in my hands,” he says. “I grew up on a cattle ranch in eastern Montana and have always been a hands-on person.”

Peila’s company has since expanded into custom as well as modular homes.

Joys of the job.
“I like to play in the dirt and make my clients happy,” Peila says. “I get as excited about clients’ new homes as they do.” He says another reason he entered the construction business was to teach his four children the value of work and offer them a way to earn money for college tuition. 

1. Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold
Avoid Montana’s harsh winter weather while building your home; try to build between April and November. “Frost is our biggest enemy in wintertime,” Peila says. “It can get up to 4 feet into the ground, making it impossible to dig.” He warns against building a home without a deep foundation, as the ground can destabilize in the spring as the frost melts. That being said, it is possible to build a home in colder weather if you start early enough. The team recently built the foundation and basement of a home outside Billings in the fall, before the frost arrived. “We get foundations ready on purpose,” Peila says. “As long as it’s not windy, we can frame and build the home.” 

2. Bring the Heat
Install proper insulation to keep your home toasty and reduce your energy bill. “Uninsulated concrete in Montana is a serious energy-waster,” Peila says. He suggests a foam-block foundation with walls built 3 to 4 feet into the ground. Also consider a ground-source heating system to warm your home during the winter; it can work in reverse during the summer, cooling your space. “Everything is warm and cozy because of the foam foundation,” Peila says of the Shepherd home seen here. He used well-sealed, high-quality windows and sprayed urethane foam between the living area and the basement to further reduce heat loss. The clients can enjoy their open-plan living area without worrying about drafts. See more of this project by Prairie Builders Prairie Builders

3. Pay Attention to Terrain
Position your home to take in the best views and the most daylight, and try to keep the land to the north and west of your driveway clear to prevent snow buildup. “The higher the road elevation is over the surrounding terrain, the better; the wind will carry the snow over the road and drop it on the eastern side,” Peila says. His team created a quarter-mile driveway for clients in Roundup, keeping the western and northern sides free from obstructions. They also used gravel, which provides more traction than asphalt in severe driving conditions, Peila says.