No Budget Surprises: Why We Build on a Fixed Price (And You’ll Be Glad We Do)
- Keith Miller
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
At Saddle Mountain Construction, we do things differently—and that starts with your budget.
We don’t just throw out ballpark numbers. We don’t bury vague allowances in the fine print. And we don’t hit you with surprise costs halfway through construction. Why?
Because we’re fixed-price builders, and we believe that certainty is part of good craftsmanship.
💬 What “Fixed Price” Really Means (And Doesn’t Mean)
Let’s clear something up: fixed price doesn’t mean inflexible. It means we agree on the price before we ever break ground—and that price doesn’t change unless you change the plan.
No hidden fees. No “gotcha” upgrades. No fuzzy allowances where $1,500 somehow needs to cover all your appliances.
Instead, you get:
A clear scope of work
Transparent pricing
Realistic allowances (if any) based on your selections
Peace of mind from day one
🚨 Why Other Builders Leave You Guessing
Some builders use a cost-plus or open-book model. That might sound transparent, but here’s the truth: it puts you, the homeowner, on the hook for every overage—whether it was your decision or not.
Common traps:
Unrealistically low allowances (hello, $3/sq ft flooring)
“Let’s figure it out later” pricing
Change orders for things that should’ve been in the original scope
Before you know it, your $700K build is sitting at $820K—and no one can tell you exactly why.
🧱 Why Fixed Price = Freedom
Most people think a fixed price means limitations. We think it means freedom.
🧘♂️ Freedom from stressing over every selection
🛑 Freedom from surprise bills halfway through framing
🏡 Freedom to focus on designing a home you love—without worrying what it’s doing to your wallet
It’s not just about protecting your budget. It’s about respecting your trust.
🔍 How We Do It
We build predictability into every step of our process:
1. Preconstruction Planning
We work closely with you to finalize your design, site plan, and selections—before we ever price the job.
2. Real-World Cost Data
We don’t guess. We use up-to-date pricing from local suppliers and subs to reflect what things actually cost right now.
3. Clear Inclusions & Exclusions
You know exactly what you’re getting—and what’s not included—before you sign.
4. No Change Orders Unless You Want Them
The only time your budget changes? When you decide to make a change. And you’ll know the exact cost before it happens.
📍 Why It Matters More in Missoula
In a market like Missoula—where labor is tight, material prices shift fast, and the cost of “oops” is high—certainty isn’t just nice. It’s essential.
A fixed-price contract means:
No budget stress every time materials go up
No wondering whether your builder is over-ordering
No games, no guesswork, no regrets
🤝 Our Promise: Clarity from Start to Finish
At Saddle Mountain, we believe you deserve a home that fits your vision and your budget. And we believe the process of building that home should be as solid and straightforward as the foundation we pour.
That’s why we’re proud to be one of the few fixed-price custom builders in Western Montana. And it’s why our clients walk away saying:
“There were no surprises. Everything they told us, they did—and they stuck to the number we agreed on. That was huge.”
🏡 Ready to Build Without the Budget Rollercoaster?
Let’s take the guesswork out of your custom home. Whether you're still dreaming or ready to break ground, we’ll walk you through the process—with transparency baked into every step.
📞 Call us at 406-241-4546
📍 Building fixed-price custom homes in Missoula and beyond
