For over 20 years, Jason Bekebrede’s Monticello Custom Homes & Remodeling has turned bold ideas into breathtaking builds
Founded in Springfield, Missouri, Monticello Custom Homes & Remodeling upholds a long legacy of innovation, quality, and second-to-none service. Now entering his 21st year in business, Owner, Jason Bekebrede, looks back at the journey so far: “We provide custom homebuilding services for clients who are either looking to remodel their existing home, or build an entirely new one. I’m the owner and founder and have been running the business for over two decades. I started out as a one-man band, and since then, as the business has grown, I’ve brought on a couple of project managers to help with the additional workload,” he begins.
The company’s vast portfolio ranges from extensive remodels to entire custom-home construction, as Jason details: “We work on large-scale projects, typically new homes, but we are very experienced in remodeling work too. The houses we work on are usually valued at $1 million or more, and for remodels, the value tends to be a minimum of $150,000. Over the years, we’ve found ourselves working on a lot of unique projects. We’ve never been one to shy away from trying something different. We’re open to all kinds of designers and architects, and we’re happy to listen to unconventional or unique concepts.
“It’s important to be open to new ideas. Instead of shutting people down, we do our best to turn their dreams into reality. Often, we’ll work closely with clients and designers, and together we’ll figure out how to turn even the boldest of concepts into real-life structures. The end result has been some really neat projects. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do, and the homes we’ve been able to create.”
The company’s small team of in-house experts is supported by an expansive network of local contractors and engineers. “Over the years,” Jason shares, “we’ve developed a reliable subcontractor network. We work with homeowners to make the vision they have a reality and effectively convey that vision to the subcontractors. We work with great subcontractors and wouldn’t be where we are without their support and expertise. Unlike many builders who try and save money using inferior material and labor, we believe that quality pays for itself. Our painstaking attention to detail during each phase of construction is evident in the finished product for years to come.”
Personal communication
Connecting with other industry professionals has been a key part of Monticello’s journey. As well as networking with a wide range of skilled suppliers and subcontractors, social media has also helped the company to hone its craft further.
“Social media has provided a huge learning opportunity for us. Seeing how other experts in the field manage foundational elements of the homebuilding process has enabled us to refine the way we work. Over time, we’ve built on each other’s knowledge and found a real community that’s driven by a desire to always push the boundaries of what can be built. The people we work with are very adaptable and able to support us with our clients’ requests and requirements. This then seems to be back to the subs.
“We customize and build dream homes to exact specifications. Starting with any of our floor plans, working from plans provided by the client or working with the client to design a home that fits their needs, we are committed to building their dream home. As a family company, we take the quality of our homes personally. Communication is the key to our outstanding service. From the moment our clients meet us, they know they can expect an honest and straightforward building experience. Even after the construction process is complete, we stand behind our work to give peace of mind for years to come. 
“Building homes that will pass our threshold of quality requires a systems approach,” Jason shares, “not simply an assembly of the home’s parts. The result of this approach is added value, including improved air quality and energy savings, which result in cost savings. We prioritize comfort and aesthetics and balance these considerations with durability and efficiency to make the home as sustainable as possible.
“For instance, windows serve different purposes, and it’s important to consider each one before settling on the right size, shape, and frame. Larger windows create a sense of space, for example, flooding the room with natural light, and making the environment more ambient and welcoming. Durability is another consideration. We only work with high quality materials, especially those with insulating and heat-transmitting properties, as this has the combined effect of supporting the energy efficiency of a home.”
The home’s systems are also important, and Jason and the team focus on implementing air, water, and heating control systems that positively impact the way the house operates. Building more efficient homes is becoming the new standard in custom building in the Ozarks. To stay ahead of this trend, Jason has taken many active steps to educate himself in building science to better know the best places and ways to make each home some shade of green.
“We recently completed a 6000-square-foot lakeside property,” he continues, “that embodies our building approach. This home was for a client who’s new to town, and the location is a beautiful hillside, on an incline looking over Table Rock Lake. It’s been an exciting project to work on, alongside the designer and architect, and we’ve created something cool and genuinely novel.
“During the early phases of the project, we made recommendations to the architect about how to make the home as durable and comfortable as possible whilst increasing its overall energy efficiency. It’s a big house, and we wanted to avoid it becoming a drain on the client’s resources in the long term. These initial suggestions became core components of the final design, and I’m proud to say it will now run on minimal energy for a long time to come.”
Values driven
Building long-lasting homes is one of the driving factors behind Monticello Custom Homes’ success. “I’ve been a member of the Home Builders Association for over 17 years and was on the board of directors for 11 years of that time. Over the years, I’ve come to recognize how important industry engagement is. Comfort, efficiency, and durability are all qualities that keep a home going for longer. When we’re building a home, we think in decades and generations. It’s something we’re really passionate about.
“As members of the construction industry, we’re in a unique position. With hard work and a systems approach, we get to build things that truly last. It’s important to always keep the client in mind — they’re trusting us with what is usually the biggest investment of their lives, and so it’s vital that we always work in their best interest.
“In the coming years, I’d like to see the business expand. We’ve got plans to bring in some new people and take on some larger scale projects. That said,” he concludes, “I don’t want to become too big. We’re a value-driven business, and everyone here shares the same goal. I want to retain that sense of purpose, even as the company continues to grow.”