Building a Mountain Home in Apple Springs
Here's an overview of the construction process and ways that we can support your build team.
Exploring lots
You’ll find a complete and up-to-date listing of lots on the Apple Springs website. There’s also a summary of each of our neighborhoods and the benefits they offer.
Still have questions about building a mountain home? Contact Apple Springs.
We can talk with you about what matters most in your search and recommend properties that match your needs. Whether your priority is an unbroken view of the Black Hills, a secluded lot, or living on a legendary golf course, we can share different options with you. (Also, read our guide to “Buying Mountain Property” in preparation for your purchase.)
Selecting a builder
Local construction companies typically have experience that pays off in a faster, more cost-efficient, and more predictable construction project. Apple Springs can refer you to several companies from which to choose. The builder you select can help you:
- Review sample floorplans or connect you with an architect or draftsman.
- Establish a project plan and timeline.
- Price out the work. (More details on pricing follow below.)
Deciding on a contract
Builders tend to work in one of two ways.
In a fixed price project, the builder will construct the home for a set price within certain allowances and specifications. As long as the scope of work doesn’t change, the builder will be committed to delivering the project at that price. However, this also means that, should costs be lower than anticipated, you wouldn’t participate in the savings.
In a cost-plus arrangement, the builder will deliver receipts and invoices for the project’s costs and add a percentage on top for its fee. Builders will typically provide a price range, but that range is not guaranteed as materials or labor may increase in cost. This approach provides greater flexibility in the work and may mean a savings if costs stay low.
Hybrid plans combine elements of fixed and cost-plus projects. For example, the foundation, electrical, plumbing, and framing work might be guaranteed at a fixed price, but other features might be at cost-plus.
Designing your property
Apple Springs at Boulder Canyon has a homeowners association that helps maintain the character and quality of the community. The HOA offers neighborhood covenants, guidelines, and a checklist to assist you in building a mountain home:
Connecting to utilities
Once Apple Springs approves your design plans, you and your builder can apply for building permits from the county and make plans for utility hookups. One feature that makes Apple Springs unique is that, even with our incredible natural setting, residents have access to so many city-like services. These include:
- Natural gas, so there’s no need to maintain and refill a propane tank.
- A high-quality water supply. Instead of having to dig your own well, you’ll receive water from the Maddison Aquifer. This supply is sourced from more than 1,700 feet below the surface and is some of the freshest tested water in the country.
- Sewer access. You don’t have to dig and install a septic tank or have trucks clear out the system every few months. A state-of-the-art treatment system returns fishery-quality water to the environment.
Scheduling your project
Your builder should be able to give you a general timeline for completing construction. When you’re building a mountain home, the season in which you begin work will greatly impact the schedule, as cold weather can slow or restrict certain phases of the project. Here’s a broad overview.
Excavation. Your team will dig and establish the foundation for your new home. Crews can reach the site more easily in the spring or summer months, and it’s much easier to excavate at this time than to dig into frozen earth during the wintertime.
Dry-in. This phase of the project sees the framing, roof, and windows completed. By finishing dry-in before winter, crews can continue to work inside, in a space that’s protected from the elements.
Interior. Construction on the inside of the house includes all of the features that make it a home, from drywall to plumbing to electrical.
Expect an average build time of one year. Your budget, weather conditions, and the availability of trade labor can all affect the timeline. By building a mountain home with an experienced company, you’ll be able to stick to this schedule more closely – and your end results will be more in line with the home you envision.