How long have you been in business?

Greg Mantell-Hecathorn started the business in 1975 in Fairbanks, Alaska, building log homes and super-insulated frame homes. The three principals of Mantell-Hecathorn Builders, Greg, Tara, and Hunter, one of their three sons, represent a combined total of 76 years of experience in building the finest homes and custom renovations.

How do you run your company?

Each job has a project manager/lead man who remains with the job. This role is assumed by Greg or Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn. This provides the “small company” benefit of close attention to each individual job.  Clients, in their search for a construction company for their project, have the option of choosing a large company that delegates oversight responsibility to various employees, or a hands-on company that builds two custom homes a year.  The top people in our company are personally on your job site working to ensure that our employees’ and subcontractor’s work meets our high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. By building only two homes a year we provide a focus on efficient construction that saves a client time and money.

Where do you work?

La Plata County from Durango Mountain Resort to Mancos. Our last two projects have been a custom home in the beautiful Glacier Club mountain community 15 miles north of Durango and a custom home in Durango Ridge Ranch 9 miles west of Durango. This winter we converted a condo at 1201 Main to a finely appointed doctors office. We also remodeled two units in the Crossroads building converting them into one, creating a stylish attorneys office.

What kind of work do you prefer?

We like to work with thoughtful clients who appreciate a conscientious, hardworking builder who cares about their project and budget.  We like challenging, well-designed projects, new homes or renovations, that incorporate green building principles. (See Green Building.)  We enjoy building both small, creative homes and renovations, and luxury custom homes.

Why is a Contractor’s License a benefit to a Homeowner?

Colorado, unlike most states, requires no experience or testing or licensing to be a general contractor.  Greg Mantell-Hecathorn has held a California contractor’s license since 1987.  It is well-known that California sets high standards for contractor licensing.  To become a licensed general contractor one must document one’s years of field experience along with reference letters.  One then must study extensively for the licensing test which covers  the most detailed aspects of building construction and business law and contracts.

This license provides a homeowner with the assurance that a contractor has a thorough knowledge of building skills and ethical business practices.  Mantell-Hecathorn Builders continues to maintain its California contractor’s license because it represents the extra level of knowledge and competence required to hold the license.

 

Are you a Green Builder?

Greg and Hunter are certified Green Builders through both the Built Green Colorado University and through NAHB University of Housing as Certified Green Professionals. They also continue to educate themselves at green conferences and seminars, and to promote those practices among subcontractors and the community. In January of 2010 Greg became one of the first builders in the country to receive his Advanced Green Professional designation. Also in January of 2010 Hunter earned his EPA Certified Lead Renovator designation enabling him to legally oversee and work on homes built before 1978.  In 2009 Greg created the Sustainable Building Education Program, a year long series of 38 seminars and free brown bag lunches designed to help educate the building community and homeowners on the benefits of energy efficient healthy homes. To learn more follow this link, 4CORE.  Greg is also working with the USGBC LEED for Homes program to become certified as a LEED AP to build LEED Homes and Renovations. Our preferred minimum Green standard is an ENERGY STAR rating, which requires more planning, attention to detail on the job, specialized materials and oversight of team members, and the services of a third party certifier.

In 1975 Greg Mantell-Hecathorn was one of the few homebuilders in Fairbanks, Alaska building “super-insulated” homes, with 12” thick double-framed walls, 18” deep rafters and airtight building envelope construction in order to create a highly energy-efficient home that was easy to heat in minus 45 degree temperatures. Building in northern California did not provide the extreme climate challenges, but California Title 24 energy code inferred a statewide compliance that Colorado is just now discussing. In January 2008 we were awarded the designation of Built Green Colorado Custom Builder of the Year.

What are the benefits of an ENERGY STAR, Built Green, Third-Party Certified home?

First, one should understand that not all green building programs or builders are created equal.  It requires a committment to sustainable education and on the job training and constant oversight of subcontractors to live up to the quality and standard of a Mantell-Hecathorn Builders high performance home.

   

Third Party Testing, HERS Rating

Third party certification requires a project to be independently tested and documented for energy efficiency and healthier construction materials, rather than just relying on a builder’s lists.  The home we completed at Glacier Club in 2008 was 3rd Party tested and given a HERS rating of 70, which will translate into heating cost savings of 35%!

DESIGN

Can you help with the design, plans and permit for my job?

The most successful projects are Design-Build where the clients, architect, builder and engineers work together as a team to create a home that embodies the client’s vision and within their specific budget.

But I already have my own architect and/or interior designer. Can you still work with us?

Of course. We love to be inspired by the ideas of architects and designers, but we like to be involved early in the project so that we can consult on design and cost to keep the project on track. Often, we can work with your design team to give important feedback on construction details and material selections as needed.

Can you help me pick materials and finishes?

Greg and Tara Mantell-Hecathorn are accustomed to working with their clients in designing cabinet plans, stone and tile, flooring, plumbing fixtures and the many other decisions a client faces. We have the resources in suppliers and subcontractors to help with any project. We can help make sure that these choices are both aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective. Also, we know which products have performed well for our clients in the past.