Building Montana: The Story Behind Montana Build in Whitefish
In the Flathead Valley, homes are more than structures—they’re part of the landscape, part of the community, and part of the story of the people who build and live in them. For Montana Build founder Paul McElroy, that story began long before the company itself, starting with a hammer, a job site, and a lifelong respect for craftsmanship.
Learning the Trade from the Ground Up
Paul’s path into homebuilding started early. As a young carpenter, he worked under his father’s lead carpenter—known simply as Red—learning the trade the traditional way: by doing it.
Framing walls, setting beams, and understanding every step of the building process gave him a complete view of what it takes to build a home.
“That’s what I wanted to do,” Paul says. “Build homes.”
His career eventually took him far beyond those early job sites. Paul joined Taylor Woodrow in London, one of the world's largest builder-developers, and rose through the ranks to become a regional manager. But as the responsibilities grew, something was missing.
“My time was spent doing cash flow projections and board reports,” he recalls. “I realized I was no longer hands-on building homes.”
That realization changed everything.
Finding Home in Whitefish
Paul knew he wanted to return to building, but he also wanted a place where his family could truly settle.
“I wanted to raise my two boys somewhere with four seasons,” he says. “A place where they could go to kindergarten and high school in the same town.”
After an exhaustive search, he found it in Whitefish, Montana.
The Flathead Valley offered the perfect mix of natural beauty, community, and opportunity. Soon after arriving, Paul immersed himself in the local homebuilding industry and eventually founded Montana Build.
Growing Through Challenges
As Montana Build expanded, the company began working on projects across the state. While the growth was exciting, it came with challenges.
At one point, Paul was managing projects across Montana while traveling constantly—sometimes by helicopter or small plane—to keep up with job sites.
“The logistics were the biggest challenge,” he says. “I spent most of my week traveling from project to project.”
Eventually, Montana Build shifted its focus closer to home in the Flathead Valley. The change allowed Paul and his team to stay closely connected to their projects and clients.
“Now I can keep my arms around everything and really know what’s going on.”
Building with Montana Character
From the beginning, Montana Build has been committed to creating homes that reflect the spirit of Montana.
That means thoughtful design choices, natural materials, and homes that feel rooted in the landscape rather than imposed upon it.
“We try to keep the design true to Montana,” Paul explains. “From the forms and materials to the colors—everything should blend with the environment.”
It also means supporting the local economy.
Montana Build works closely with local tradespeople, suppliers, and craftspeople throughout the Flathead Valley.
“We hire local talent and buy local whenever we can,” Paul says. “It’s important to do the state justice.”
A Relationship Company
While Montana Build has completed many homes across the valley, Paul measures success differently.
“Happy homeowners,” he says simply.
For him, the best sign of a successful project is seeing former clients around town—at the grocery store, on the ski hill, or around Whitefish Lake—and being able to stop and catch up.
“We want to run into our clients at Safeway and talk,” he says. “Not run away because we did something wrong.”
That philosophy has helped Montana Build earn long-lasting relationships with homeowners and trusted partnerships with local trades.
Paul credits much of the company’s success to the people who work alongside him, including respected local partners such as Lyndon Steinmetz, Jason Cherry, Ron Thomas, Howard Bauer, Dan Cazazza, and Jeremy Waters.
“It starts and ends with our team,” Paul says. “They care about what they do.”
The Fixed-Bid Difference
One of the defining features of Montana Build is its fixed-bid approach to construction.
While many builders operate on open-ended budgets, Montana Build provides clients with clear pricing upfront, helping them maintain control over the financial side of their project.
“People feel confident because they know the financial picture,” Paul explains.
The process also encourages careful purchasing and disciplined budgeting.
“We spend money like it’s ours,” he says. “We’re not cheap, but we are frugal.”
Tradition Over Trends
While the construction industry often chases the newest technology or trend, Paul takes a more measured approach.
Montana Build stays informed about new products—often attending the International Builders’ Show—but relies heavily on the experience and expertise of its local trades.
“We trust the people who know their craft,” Paul says.
Innovation is welcome when it improves quality, but tradition still guides the process.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Building Homes That Last
Today, Montana Build stands as one of the longest-standing, independently-owned building companies in the Whitefish area.
The company’s approach remains simple: build well, build honestly, and treat every project like a long-term relationship.
Because in a place like the Flathead Valley, homes are meant to last—and so are the relationships behind them.