High Country Builders leverages its extensive in-house capabilities and BIM to create stunning homes on difficult terrain
Based in Montana, High Country Builders (High Country) offers a step-by-step solution for creating customers’ dream homes in a cost-efficient, timely and enjoyable manner. What sets the company apart from other homebuilders is its extensive in-house capabilities, which allow it to self-perform timber and log crafting, custom casework, slate roofing, finish work, and more. We learn more about High Country’s unique process with insights from Luke Landi, Owner.
“My father, Walt Landi, founded High Country in 1989. Originally established in Eureka, Montana, we are now primarily based in Whitefish, where we specialize in high-end, custom residential projects that typically span two-to-five years. Every project we undertake is extremely custom. We handle a lot of our work in-house, with our own skilled timber framers and architect on staff. As a result, we have the capacity to manage various aspects of construction that would typically be subcontracted out, which enables us to maintain our exceptional level of quality and customization across every build,” he begins.
Managing challenges
Currently, High Country is engaged in three different projects, leveraging its in-house design capabilities to exercise complete control over the renderings and presentations. One of these projects is expected to be finished before the end of next summer, one is scheduled for completion in June 2027, and the last is anticipated to wrap up by early 2029. While these projects are difficult to showcase in their current construction stages, Luke elaborates on the Great Northern Lodge, one of the company’s most impressive ongoing projects.
“In terms of logistics, The Great Northern Lodge has presented significant challenges. This project is for a client with whom we have been working for about 15 years. In fact, I was only 19 years old when we first started collaborating, and we are now building his third house! I designed this particular home, and we have been working on the foundation for approximately 18 months. What makes this site particularly demanding is its steep terrain. We had to perform extensive grading, constructing a retaining wall that stands about 34 feet tall, supported by 86 helical piers drilled into the mountainside at depths of 40-to-60 feet for stabilization. The house is designed to extend down the slope from there, making site management quite complex.
Customized techniques
“The homeowner has a great design and build philosophy that aligns with ours; he likes to build structures that can last a thousand years, as he is building a legacy that is meant to transcend his and his children’s generation. Consequently, we are restricted from using any materials that could rot in the houses we build, meaning our homes are entirely made of stone, concrete, or hardwood. We incorporate a lot of timbers, all made of solid white oak, making every component extremely heavy. The roof features slate tiles that each weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. This necessitates everything to be engineered and tailored to these advanced materials, and the techniques we employ are equally customized, as this is our niche. Projects like this allow us to learn and innovate from the ground up, applying new techniques and gaining proficiency with every single build,” he unveils.
Technology adoption
Among the new techniques being adopted by the company is the Building Information Modelling (BIM) system, which High Country has recently begun using. Luke explains how this technology transforms the company’s work. “BIM is something that I have personally been pushing. With our current BIM system, we can take our plans and, thanks to having an in-house architect, access all the geometry and raw information we need to seamlessly integrate into our model. BIM provides access to the project model, enabling us to address foundation logistics early and efficiently. This flexibility allows critical coordination to move forward without being dependent on the completion of unrelated architectural details. We can even fly a drone to capture the site’s topography as it is built. Additionally, we have our own surveying capabilities, enabling us to lay out our own plans at any stage. By leveraging BIM, we can create a comprehensive model that takes us from the foundation to a fully finished rendering that we can walk through and interact with during any phase of construction. BIM is an invaluable tool for gathering essential information, whether it is calculating square footage or visualizing what the finished project is going to look like.”
As a family business currently in its second generation, High Country is committed to maintaining the same positive workplace culture it was founded upon. Typically, if a new employee can successfully navigate their first six months, they tend to stay with the company long-term, thanks to its strong and well-defined company culture. “High Country is a great place to work, and if someone truly resonate with our values, they are likely to stay forever,” Luke adds. For instance, the company had a superintendent who remained with High Country for nearly 25 years, almost since its inception, before retiring at the age of 83. Moreover, several employees have been with High Country for eight, ten and even 15 years, and proudly consider themselves ‘lifers.’
Through its expertise, craftsmanship and adoption of BIM, High Country is empowered to take on challenging projects that stand the test of time. As the company navigates new frontiers, its focus on continuous improvement and client collaboration ensures it remains the go-to choice for homeowners seeking truly custom yet durable homes.