Big Country Built is proving that craftsmanship and communication are key to building custom homes
Dedicated to improving lives through high quality homes that families can enjoy for generations, Big Country Built is a full-service custom-building company based in New Gloucester, Maine. From complete remodels to beautiful new custom homes, the company approaches each project with genuine passion, a willingness to tackle challenges, and a commitment to fostering a positive customer experience.
“Big Country Built was established in 2015 while I was also a career firefighter in Portland, Maine,” begins Founder and CEO, Josh Tripp. “I am a third-generation carpenter and learned a tremendous amount about carpentry from my grandfather and my uncle, whom I had worked for before starting Big Country Built. When my wife and I got married in 2014, I wanted to set us up for success before we started to expand our family. In 2021, I decided to leave the Portland Fire Dept to pursue construction full-time and to grow Big Country Built.
“When I started the business, I was a one man show doing small jobs like additions and decks, but we then grew to building remodels and new homes and I hired our first employee. Today, we build mostly new construction homes and remodels in the $700,000 to $2.5 million dollar range. We have 11 amazing employees, three of whom are in the office and the remainder are out in the field. These days I don’t put a tool belt on much as I’m more dedicated to the business operations side of things, but it’s not uncommon for me to head to a job site.”
Elaborating on the range of services on offer, Josh continues: “We specialize in new construction homes from frame to finish, but we also do quite a few extensive full-home renovations as well. We offer drafting and design services in house to make the process as stress-free as possible for our clients, and we work closely with customers throughout to ensure we deliver their dream home. While we don’t specialize in a specific style, modern farmhouses are very popular here in Maine, and we’ve also created a handful of modern Scandinavian-style homes with an emphasis on energy efficiency.”
Big Country Built places clients at the heart of its process, emphasizing collaboration and communication to keep projects on track. “When a client reaches out, we like to schedule an informal call to gather a bit more information about their needs,” Josh explains. “After the initial call, we’ll visit their land to discuss earthwork and orientation of the home, but if they don’t have land, we leverage our real estate connections to help them find the perfect space. We can even connect them with our network of loan officers and banks to help them secure financing if needed.
“Then, our team works together to create plans with a detailed and accurate quote for the homeowner. These initial steps can sometimes take several months because we want to make sure we have all the information we need to hit the ground running and ensure a smooth process. Open communication where the homeowner can reach out anytime, sending frequent updates along the way, and having weekly or bi-weekly meetings during the build process helps to keep our clients informed and comfortable every step of the way.”
Impressive projects
Turning to projects, we’re keen to ask Josh about the company’s appearance on both HGTV Urban Oasis in 2020 and on HGTV Dream Home in 2022. “Establishing good professional relationships is important to me, so I was thankful when a representative of HGTV walked into Hancock Lumber asking for a builder, and our Hancock Rep. Kara recommended Big Country Built,” Josh shares. “When the rep for HGTV called me, I thought it was a joke! He explained that they were filming Urban Oasis in Portland and after demolition of the interior, the initial builder got cold feet and quit abruptly. With only three months left before they had to have the project complete, they were scrambling to find a builder who could get the job done in such a short timeframe without sacrificing quality. Everyone said I was crazy for taking on the job and that I could not get a whole house remodel done in three months. However, we had a great team to tackle the project, and we completed it in the desired timeframe.
“HGTV Dream Home was a similar situation. The rep for HGTV called and asked if I knew any builders in Vermont, which I did not. After trying, they were unsuccessful in finding a builder to take on the project, so they asked if we could complete the $2.3 million home from start to finish in about four months. Again, everyone said we were crazy, but we built a gorgeous home within the timeframe and the show went on.”
Big Country Built’s more recent projects have been equally successful. “We built a gorgeous modern energy efficient home on the Saco River for some wonderful clients last year,” Josh says. “The Scandinavian style and interior finishes really make this a unique home that stands out here in Maine. This project was also cool because we got to work with Briburn Architecture, who we established a relationship with while working on HGTV Urban Oasis 2020, so it was great to work with them again after such a whirlwind project.”
Considering the company’s success since its foundation, it would be easy for Josh to sit back, but instead, he is challenging himself and the business to do better every day. “We are focusing on self-reflection to improve the company and better serve our customers, so our main priority this year is to go through our entire process with a fine-tooth comb to identify areas of strength alongside areas for improvement,” Josh concludes. “With so much change and growth over the years, it’s important that we maintain a positive reputation and not let anything slip through the cracks. We want to be the best that we can be, build beautiful homes, and establish great relationships with those in our community.”
This humble approach, along with the company’s dedication to customers and craftsmanship, will propel Big Country Built forward for many years to come.