Design & Build Custom Homes in Montana

Pine Ridge Builders is a hands-on, local, family owned custom home builder based in Billings, MT, and serves surrounding areas like Red Lodge and Columbus. Pine Ridge Builders focuses primarily on custom homes and spec homes, along with shops and garages.

My Wife and I had Pine Ridge Builders build our house. The construction quality is top notch. The house is tight and well insulated. High winds are barely noticeable; the house stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are no bugs getting in because it is well sealed. We are happy we went with Pine Ridge Builders for our build.

Russ Schott

John Mueller, dba Pine Ridge Builders, has been our contractor of choice for five residential projects over the past several years. From remodeling to new construction, we are impressed by John's professional competence and refreshing integrity. We are fortunate to have found him.

Steven Plaggemeyer
SND Properties
Exterior view of beautiful modern home at 2503 Hunter Hall in Billings MT built by Pine Ridge Builders

Custom Home Building

Pine Ridge Builders specializes in building high value custom homes from the ground up! Whether we design a plan for you or you bring your own plans, we would love to work with you and get you on our schedule! Pine Ridge Builders is committed to going above and beyond traditional building practices in order to deliver the best value and ensure the highest quality work! Give Johnny a call at (406) 672-2489 to get started today!

Commitment To Quality

Exterior view of beautiful modern home at 2503 Hunter Hall in Billings MT built by Pine Ridge Builders

Focused Attention

We take on only 1-2 projects at a time, ensuring exceptional workmanship and customer satisfaction.

Quality Craftsmanship

From the structural framing to the final details, our in-house team is committed to building homes with exceptional craftsmanship, precision, and lasting quality.

Squeak-Free Floors

We screw and glue all subfloors and stairs—going beyond the standard nail-and-glue method—to ensure long-lasting, squeak-free results.

About Our Company

Johnny Mueller and Dan Chamberlain have joined together to create a home building company who cares about the small details and is dedicated to building the highest value homes in the industry!

By being owners who are actual builders in the field, we not only get to know you as the customer but we get to know your house, inside and out. By picking every stud, nailing every truss, and touching every part of your house, we are able to ensure that you actually get the highest quality work and best value for your hard earned money!

Johnny has over a decade of diverse experience in construction and fabrication and brings a unique set of skills to the table. Valuing fine craftsmanship, precision, and hard work ethic, which he learned from his dad, who was a framer and carpenter for decades. 

Dan Chamberlain comes from a family of high end custom home builders in Bozeman. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his lifetime experience in framing, excavation, and all phases of construction!

Becca, Johnny’s wife, is our in-house interior designer and client coordinator. She plays a crucial role to help clients pick and design the interior aspects along with meeting with clients as they pick cabinets and fixtures, etc. to ensure that what gets delivered to the job site is actually what the customer picked. And she is also able to help clients pick a more budget friendly but still cute option when needed.

FAQ

As a quality custom home builder, we understand the details, decisions, and options of building a house. Having accurate and comprehensive information enhances the experience for everyone involved.

Numerous factors influence the price of a house, and per-square-foot pricing can vary significantly based on elements such as cabinets, countertops, garage size, flooring, and shower types. To provide a general starting point, our pricing typically begins around $215 to $230 per square foot for basic but attractive finishes. The price can increase by $350+ per square foot for high-end finishes and additional exterior details.

For example, we are constructing a 2,476 square-foot house on helical piers featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with fiberglass tub/showers, basic LVP flooring, quartz countertops, a large 2-car garage, and no landscaping for approximately $550,000. This price excludes land and design fees.

Another example is a 1,106 square-foot home we built with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a fireplace, laminate countertops, basic flooring, a 1-car garage, and no landscaping for $245,000. This also excludes land and design fees.

Pine Ridge Builders typically operates on a cost-plus model, adding 15% for overhead and profit to ensure the highest quality build.

IMPORTANT DETAILS TO KNOW

  • Plumbing Fixtures: You must purchase plumbing fixtures (faucets, sinks, toilets, tubs, etc.) through a plumbing supply store via the plumbing contractor. Fixtures from Home Depot or Lowes are not permitted. The base fixture is chrome; brushed nickel fixtures are more expensive, and gold and black fixtures are pricier than brushed nickel. For example, a basic Moen Gentia brushed nickel bathroom sink faucet with a valve costs $350.00, while a basic black kitchen sink faucet costs $550.00.

  • Upgrades: Upgrading from a one-piece fiberglass tub/shower to a tiled shower can add $8,000.00 to $15,000.00 to the cost.

  • Window Treatments: Blinds and window treatments are not included in a typical house estimate unless specified.

  • Kitchen Cabinets: Drawers in kitchen cabinets are much more expensive than standard cabinets.

Pine Ridge Builders can build homes to suit most reasonable budgets; however, you may need to adjust your expectations or reduce the size of your house to stay within your budget.

If you plan to build on a lot within the city limits, you will need to obtain a city building permit. The permit fee is calculated based on the estimated construction cost of your house. Typically, this fee ranges from $7,000 to $13,000, with higher costs for larger homes.

For lots located in the county, you are required to obtain separate permits for electrical, plumbing, and septic systems. However, a building permit is not necessary.

Most people’s dream plans far exceed their budget, but our goal is to help you mesh dream with reality. We recommend coming to us to work together on a plan you love that fits within your budget — though if you already have a plan, we’d love to build it for you. We’re also happy to work alongside your architect to develop something that aligns with your vision and your budget.

Obtaining a Geo Tech report is highly beneficial. It provides essential information about your soil type and indicates whether any special foundation or drainage designs are necessary. This report ensures your house is built on a stable foundation, maximizing its longevity. The cost of a Geo Tech report is approximately $2,600, varying based on the location relative to Billings.

Client Testimonials

My wife and I were fortunate enough to buy one of Johnny Mueller’s latest home builds in the Mackenzie Meadows subdivision.

We couldn’t be happier with the build. From the first time we walked through the home you could tell right away the level of detail and quality of work that he does. The layout and finishings were tastefully thought out and the house has exceptional natural lighting which we have really enjoyed. Additionally, it has been really nice to easily communicate with Johnny with any questions that we’ve had as we continue to settle in. It is refreshing to find an honest, hard working professional that stands behind his quality work and takes pride in his homes.

If you are looking for a builder for your next project or home build then look no further than Johnny and Pine Ridge Homes. Thanks for all your hard work and professionalism Johnny.

Andrew Nicholson

My Wife and I had Pine Ridge Builders build our house. The construction quality is top notch. The house is tight and well insulated. High winds are barely noticeable; the house stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are no bugs getting in because it is well sealed. We are happy we went with Pine Ridge Builders for our build.

Russ Schott

John Mueller, dba Pine Ridge Builders, has been our contractor of choice for five residential projects over the past several years. From remodeling to new construction, we are impressed by John’s professional competence and refreshing integrity. We are fortunate to have found him.

Steven Plaggemeyer & Dwayne Bundy
SND Properties

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