When Your Project Doesn't Fit Neatly Into a Box
Not every project is a straightforward bathroom or basement. Sometimes you need a deck built for Montana winters. Sometimes the kitchen needs structural work before you can open up the floor plan. Sometimes three rooms need attention and they're all connected.
I handle projects across the full scope of residential remodeling — from custom decks and structural carpentry to multi-room renovations and the finish work that makes a house feel like home.
Custom Decks
Montana summers are short and worth every day. A well-built deck extends your living space outdoors — and in Bozeman, that matters from May through October.
I build cedar and composite decks designed specifically for our climate. That means:
- Proper footings below the frost line (42" in Gallatin County)
- Hot-dipped galvanized or stainless hardware that won't rust through in five years
- Flashing details at every ledger board connection — this is the #1 point of failure on decks and the thing most builders cut corners on
- Composite or cedar decking chosen for the application — composite for low maintenance, cedar for natural beauty
Whether it's a simple platform off the back door or a multi-level space with built-in seating and stairs, I design and build it to handle freeze-thaw cycles, snow loads, and years of use.
Deck pricing depends on size, material, and complexity. A basic 12x16 cedar deck typically runs $8,000-$15,000. Composite decking with railings and stairs: $15,000-$30,000+.
Whole-Home Renovations
When the project spans multiple rooms or involves structural changes, having one contractor manage the entire scope keeps things organized and on budget. I coordinate all the trades — plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting — and manage the timeline so work flows in the right order.
Common whole-home projects I handle:
- Removing walls to open up floor plans (with proper structural headers and engineering where needed)
- Kitchen updates — cabinetry, countertops, flooring, backsplash, lighting
- Multi-room refreshes — painting, flooring, trim throughout
- Structural repairs — sagging floors, water damage, foundation issues
- Aging-in-place modifications — grab bars, walk-in showers, wider doorways
Custom Carpentry & Finish Work
The name "Heartwood" isn't accidental. The heartwood is the dense, strong center of the tree — the part that holds everything together. That's what good carpentry does in a home.
I've spent years doing finish carpentry and custom woodwork, from timber framing in Big Sky to trim work in Bozeman bungalows. That background shows up in the details:
- Crown molding and built-in cabinetry
- Custom shelving and storage solutions
- Trim, baseboards, and door casing
- Wainscoting and paneling
- Custom closet builds
The Same Process, Every Project
Regardless of scope, every project follows the same structured approach:
- Itemized estimates with every line item visible
- 3D renderings for projects where visualization helps (and it usually does)
- Daily photo updates during construction
- Milestone payments tied to progress (30/20/40/10)
- Formal change orders for any scope changes — priced and approved before I proceed
No surprises. No crossed fingers. Just clear communication from start to finish. See the full step-by-step process from first call to final walkthrough.
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
Whether you know exactly what you want or you're still figuring it out, I'm happy to talk through it. Call 406-551-5061 or fill out the form below. I'll call back within an hour.