Building homes can be balancing act
—Courtesy Photo<br>Balance Builders crew shown at one of their projects. Bottom row (l-r): Lisa Pierson, Sabrina Winey, Annette Worrell. Top (l-r): John Sanders, Lewis Chapman, Shaun Sauget, Dan Briggs, Scott Pierson, Rocky Wells.
By ROBERT JAMES
Managing Editor
In Boundary County, building houses can be a juggling act between finding the right builder, the right location and the best workers. Balance Builders owners Scott and Lisa Pierson have centered in on putting together local workers using local products to produce high-quality homes for area residents.
"We use local artisans, local tradesmen," Lisa says while sitting in the company's crowded office with her husband Scott and office manager/project coordinator Sabrina Winey. All around her sit files of ongoing projects, each carefully organized.
Lisa is in charge of the financial end of the company, which has been in Boundary County for four years. She and Scott met 10 years ago on the beach when Scott's dog kept coming over to her. Two years later, the pair got married.
Scott's creativity and design expertise leads the way on Balance Builders' projects, Lisa says. The building company is known for its outstanding designs.
Currently, Balance Builders is working on three homes and has three more slated for construction in the spring. The homes range in cost from $400,000 to about $700,000. The company is committed to building at the Meadows at Fall Creek.
Currently, the company sees a lot of people relocating to Boundary County who have the money to pay for the houses, Scott says — basically people retiring to this area.
"People who relocate here are looking for a lifestyle change," Lisa says. She knows that the more expensive houses are often out of reach for people who live and work here.
The demand for the high-end housing continues to be strong, Scott says, indicating his company will build anywhere from five to eight houses a year. Balance Builders is in demand because of the quality the company brings to its projects.
"We're confident of selling (those houses)," Lisa explains, "because of the quality of our construction and our very satisfied customers."
Winey brings in a list of customers who are very happy with the homes Balance Builders built for them.
The company knows the importance of being part of the community, as well. With four children, age two to 15 years, Scott and Lisa are dedicated to Bonners Ferry.
"We invest in our community," Lisa says.
"All our (subcontractors) are from Boundary County," Scott adds.
It's their way of contributing to the economy, Lisa finishes.
So far, the company has built $2.5 million worth of homes, although there is a cost with regard to labor and materials. Balance Builders buys all its materials locally, Lisa says.
"We've put it all right back in our community," she says, pointing around the office at the ongoing projects.
"Our motivation is keeping our crew working. They have families that depend on them," she says.
From the look of the office, it's obvious that Balance Builders will be keeping its crew busy for a long time to come.
Call 267-1031 to reach Balance Builders.