Terra Firma Custom Homes Philosophy

Terra Firma builds value - economically and spiritually - into every home.

It usually starts with a dream. Or an idea. Create a refuge... a simple, beautiful place far from the bustle, where friends gather and cares dare not tread. A place to recharge, refresh, renew.

You already know that, because your quest has led you to this place. At Terra Firma, our mission is to discover your dreams; draw them out; and bring them to life.

Whether your dream is a wisp of cloud that needs help taking shape, or full-blown panorama with a set of plans looking for the right builder.

My name is Brad Smith; I founded Terra Firma because I love to help ideas take shape in the physical world. I've found listening, understanding, and empathizing to be the key skills that, when applied early and often in the custom home process, yield the best results in the end.

But dreams and ideas need to take shape on the ground, not collide with it. So I'm a realist, too. I use a process that works for you. I believe you should stay well informed. I work at my job sites every day, and I encourage you to participate in the building process as much as you feel comfortable.

I have been a trim carpenter by trade for more than fifteen years. This is an artistic phase of the process - one that is highly noticeable and adds exceptional beauty. The trade has given me a distinct eye for detail and quality, so you can have confidence that your dream won't be marred by the reality of incomplete, haste, or imprecise work.

I am experienced in the "spec" building world. Meaning that I am comfortable working from a cost basis. In the speculative building world, the builder rarely has the luxury of raising the price after the project commences, so cost overruns directly erode profit. This background works to your advantage in the custom home process, because I'm experienced at identifying costs at the beginning of a project. Changes, as necessary and mutually agreed, are clearly communicated, and execution is thorough and complete.

I am proud of every one of my projects, from single-family homes to large, multiunit, high-end condominiums. Completed Terra Firma projects have more value because of the quality of the process and the attention to detail. And I will only work with subcontractors that I respect and like as people; I am proud to call most of them friends. I live in Grand County with my family and have developed close relationships with the local building community.

A Terra Firma home is greater than the sum of its pieces. It is the culmination of great collaboration, effort, craftsmanship, and energy. Terra Firma homes are breathing, living places that attract and conduct energy. And Terra Firma homes get built on time with no surprises. Your dream may have no limits, or you may have more dream than budget. Terra Firma is as eager to meet the challenge of a difficult and highly detailed home as we are the pursuit of high quality in a more modest undertaking. Either way, you have the right to an on-time, on-budget, enjoyable and rewarding building experience.