Finding a dependable remodeling contractor is one of the hardest parts of owning a home in a Colorado mountain town. When Donnie and Erin Haubert set out to remodel three bathrooms and a kitchen in Steamboat Springs, several contractors never returned their calls or showed up for appointments. This is the story of how they found a team willing to travel, complete the work in about four days, and keep their home livable the entire time. It is also a practical guide for any mountain homeowner facing the same challenge.
At a Glance
Homeowners: Donnie Haubert
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Project scope: Three bathroom remodels and a kitchen cabinet remodel
The challenge: Finding a dependable remodeling contractor willing to travel to a mountain community where qualified labor and remodeling resources are limited
The solution: A comprehensive in-home design consultation, low-maintenance KOHLER materials, flexible financing options, and an experienced installation team capable of completing multiple rooms in a matter of days
The result: A brighter, easier-to-maintain home completed with minimal disruption, so the Hauberts kept living comfortably at home throughout the remodel
Why Is It So Hard to Find a Remodeling Contractor in Colorado Mountain Towns?
Remodeling a home in a mountain community is harder than in the Front Range because there are fewer contractors, longer travel distances, compressed construction seasons, and a smaller pool of specialty trades. Those realities often lead to longer wait times, missed appointments, and inconsistent communication for homeowners.
Colorado's mountain communities are some of the most beautiful places in the country to call home. Whether it is Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, Crested Butte, or Durango, homeowners enjoy incredible scenery, tight-knit communities, and a lifestyle that is difficult to find anywhere else. But when it is time to remodel, those same advantages can become obstacles.
The most common reasons remodeling is harder in mountain towns:
A smaller pool of qualified contractors. Mountain towns often have fewer licensed remodeling companies equipped to handle large projects, which means longer scheduling timelines and fewer choices.
Greater travel distances. Many contractors cover large territories, so travel time between projects limits how many jobs they can take on at once.
Seasonal demand. Weather compresses the construction calendar, creating stretches where availability is even tighter.
Specialized labor. Large remodels require multiple trades. Coordinating plumbers, electricians, installers, and finish crews is more difficult in a smaller market.
Donnie experienced all of it firsthand. "We had a lot of contractors come out that worked in the valley. Some didn't show up. Some didn't call back."
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. It is one of the most common frustrations homeowners describe in rural and mountain communities across Colorado.
Meet Donnie: A Home That No Longer Reflected the Way He and His Wife Wanted to Live
Donnie and Erin moved into their Steamboat Springs home in 2019 after relocating from the Front Range. They loved the community, they loved the mountain lifestyle, and they loved the house. What they did not love were the rooms they used every single day.
Donnie does not sugarcoat his first impression of the primary bathroom. "Our master bathroom looked like Barney puked all over it." The hallway bathroom, he joked, "had a vanity for hobbits," and the downstairs bathroom had simply reached the point where repairs could no longer be postponed. The kitchen was not much better. Like many homes built during the housing boom, it featured basic contractor-grade cabinets that had served their purpose but no longer matched the home's value.
As Colorado home values climbed, Donnie and Erin found themselves asking a question many homeowners eventually face. Should they move, or invest in making this house everything they wanted it to be? For them, the answer was simple. "We wanted to enjoy our house while we were living in it."
That decision shifted the project from replacing outdated rooms to investing in a home they planned to enjoy for years to come.
Expanding the Search Beyond Northwest Colorado
After struggling to find dependable local help, Donnie broadened his search. Instead of limiting himself to companies based in Steamboat Springs, he looked for remodeling contractors willing to travel. A Google search led him to HomePride Bath, a KOHLER Authorized Dealer that serves homeowners across Colorado.
What happened next stood out immediately. "It was a pretty instantaneous process from just calling, getting a call back, getting emails, and then setting a date for Stacy to come up."
That may sound like a basic expectation. But after several contractors who never called back, responsive communication was the first sign this experience would be different. Companies that communicate clearly before a project begins tend to communicate consistently throughout it.
Why Communication Matters as Much as Craftsmanship
When homeowners evaluate remodeling contractors, they naturally focus on photos of finished projects, product selections, and pricing. Those factors matter. But communication often determines whether the experience feels organized or stressful.
A few questions worth asking about any contractor:
- Do they return phone calls?
- Do they show up when they say they will?
- Do they explain the process clearly?
- Do they answer questions thoroughly?
- Do they reach out proactively when something changes?
In mountain communities, where availability is already limited, dependable communication is even more valuable. Donnie's experience confirmed the pattern before construction ever began.
What Does a Thorough Design Consultation Look Like?
A strong design consultation is a collaborative planning session, not a quick walkthrough. It should cover every room, explore your options, answer your questions, and give you a clear picture of the finished result before any demolition begins.
With three bathrooms and a kitchen involved, Donnie wanted confidence that every room would work together while fitting the family's budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. HomePride sales consultant Stacy traveled to Steamboat Springs for the consultation, and what surprised Donnie was not simply the willingness to make the drive. It was the time dedicated to understanding the project.
"Stacy came up about four in the afternoon on a weekday and was here until about midnight, probably a little later."
Rather than rushing through measurements and samples, the appointment became a full planning session. Every room was discussed. Every possibility explored. Every question answered. "He was definitely dedicated to making sure what we wanted to do was feasible."
That preparation eliminated uncertainty before construction started. Instead of wondering whether their ideas would work, the Hauberts left with a clear understanding of their options, the products available, and how the finished spaces would support the way they wanted to live.
Why Do Low-Maintenance Materials Matter in a Remodel?
Low-maintenance materials matter because they reduce cleaning, resist stains and water spots, and keep a bathroom or kitchen looking good for years without constant upkeep. For busy families, second-home owners, and mountain homeowners who travel, that convenience adds value long after installation day.
Once the design was finalized, Donnie and Erin focused on materials that would still look great years later. For Donnie, the KOHLER lineup was a major selling point. "The biggest selling point is the maintenance and upkeep that you have with KOHLER products. They're very distinguished products in the industry."
Their original bathrooms had darker finishes and builder-grade materials that demanded a lot of cleaning. The remodel was a chance to simplify daily life. "Our house was very dark. The contractor-grade material that was originally here was just a lot of maintenance to keep up. With what we have now, it's kind of clean and go. It's always looking really good."
That captures a growing trend. Today's remodeling decisions are not only about appearance. They are about spending less time maintaining a home and more time enjoying it.
Low-maintenance materials help reduce common frustrations found in older bathrooms:
- Grout lines that stain or require frequent scrubbing
- Porous surfaces that are difficult to clean
- Finishes that show water spots or wear quickly
- Materials that require specialty cleaning products
It is an investment in convenience as much as aesthetics.
What Are the Financing Options for a Large Remodeling Project?
For many homeowners, the biggest question is not whether they want to remodel. It is how they will pay for it. A project involving multiple bathrooms and a kitchen is a significant investment, so understanding your options is part of smart planning.
Donnie appreciated that HomePride walked through several approaches rather than assuming every homeowner's situation was the same. "Cash is the simplest form if you have it and you can write that check. But there was a multitude of options for us to choose from." He also noted that financing was available through HomePride for homeowners who do not want to use a home equity line of credit.
Common ways homeowners fund a major remodel include cash, a home equity loan, a HELOC, or financing offered through the remodeling company. Comparing your options before construction begins helps align the project with both your short-term budget and your long-term financial goals, so you can make an informed decision instead of putting off improvements indefinitely.
What Is It Like to Live Through a Multi-Room Remodel?
In most well-managed projects, you can stay in your home during the work. Experienced teams sequence the job to maintain running water and bathroom access, keep the space clean, and limit disruption to your daily routine.
It is natural to wonder how life will look during construction, especially when several rooms are being remodeled at once. Homeowners often ask whether they will lose water for days, need a hotel, or watch the project drag on for weeks. For Donnie and Erin, those worries never materialized.
How a Team Completed Three Bathrooms and a Kitchen in About Four Days
The scope of the Hauberts' project was substantial: three bathrooms plus a kitchen cabinet remodel, all requiring coordination and skilled craftsmanship. The installation team completed it in approximately three and a half to four days.
That timeline surprised Donnie. "To do three bathrooms and a full kitchen in three and a half, four days is pretty much unheard of." He laughed before adding, "It's really unheard of in Northwest Colorado."
Every project is different, and timelines vary based on scope, material availability, and a home's existing conditions. But experienced planning and efficient project management can significantly reduce disruption. That preparation begins long before demolition: careful measurements, material ordering, scheduling, logistics, and installation sequencing. When each step is coordinated properly, homeowners spend less time living through construction and more time enjoying the result.
Just as important, the family's daily routine stayed intact. "The fellows showed up at about eight o'clock and stayed until about eight o'clock every night," Donnie said. "They just grinded until it was done." And the essentials never went away: "We didn't have to live out of a suitcase. We didn't have to get hotel rooms. There was always running water. There was always a bathroom in the house."
Planning a Remodel in a Colorado Mountain Community?
Finding a contractor who communicates well, travels to your community, and has experience managing large remodeling projects can make all the difference. Scheduling an in-home consultation is one of the best ways to understand what is possible for your space, your budget, and your goals.
Start your free design consultation today and explore remodeling options designed around your home, not a one-size-fits-all solution. 👉 www.homepridebath.com/start-your-remodel
The Result: A Home That Finally Fits the Way They Live
Donnie and Erin did not remodel because they had to. They remodeled because they wanted to enjoy the home they had worked hard to build. The finished bathrooms are brighter, the kitchen feels updated, maintenance has become simpler, and the finishes better reflect the home's value. Most importantly, the house finally feels like the home they envisioned when they moved to Steamboat Springs.
Looking back, Donnie remembers the experience less for the demolition than for the professionalism of the people who completed it. "It was a bigger project, and we didn't really have any stress or drama with any of it."
A beautiful finished space matters. A remodeling experience that feels organized, predictable, and well-managed can matter just as much.
What Mountain-Town Homeowners Can Learn From Donnie's Experience
Whether you live in Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, Durango, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, or another Colorado mountain town, Donnie's story offers four practical lessons.
1. Do not limit your search to contractors based in your town. The best remodeling partner may not have an office five minutes away. Many established companies regularly serve communities outside their immediate market and have systems in place to travel to larger projects. Expanding your search expands your options.
2. Communication is as important as craftsmanship. Photos do not tell you how a company communicates. Notice how quickly calls are returned, whether appointments are kept, and how thoroughly your questions are answered. Those early interactions preview what the whole project will feel like.
3. A large remodel does not have to create large amounts of stress. Many homeowners delay remodeling because they imagine weeks without a bathroom or a move to a hotel. Experienced planning, scheduling, and project management can dramatically reduce those concerns, keeping life moving while the work moves forward.
4. Think beyond today's style. The best remodeling decisions keep paying off long after installation. Durable, low-maintenance materials reduce cleaning and help your investment look great for years. Instead of asking only "What looks good today?" ask "What will still make my life easier ten years from now?"
Ready to Remodel Your Colorado Mountain Home?
If you have been putting off a remodeling project because you are worried about finding the right contractor, you are in good company. Homeowners across Colorado's mountain communities face the same challenge.
Whether you are planning to remodel one bathroom or transform multiple rooms, the first step is not choosing products. It is finding a remodeling partner who takes the time to understand your home, your goals, and the way you want to live.
At HomePride Bath, every project begins with an in-home design consultation where we answer your questions, evaluate your space, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward. No pressure. No one-size-fits-all recommendations. Just experienced guidance built around your home. As a KOHLER Authorized Dealer, our team regularly travels throughout Colorado, from the Front Range to the mountain communities, to serve homeowners looking for communication, craftsmanship, and long-term value.
Schedule your free in-home design consultation today. 👉 https://www.homepridebath.com/start-your-remodel
Frequently Asked Questions About Remodeling in Colorado Mountain Communities
Is it harder to find remodeling contractors in mountain towns like Steamboat Springs?
Often, yes. Mountain communities typically have fewer contractors, longer travel distances between projects, seasonal labor demands, and a smaller pool of specialized trades. That can make scheduling and communication more challenging than in larger metropolitan areas.
Will remodeling contractors travel to Colorado mountain communities?
Many do. While some companies focus only on their immediate service area, others regularly travel throughout Colorado to complete remodeling projects. If you live in a mountain town, it is worth expanding your search beyond your local community.
How long does a multi-room remodeling project usually take?
Every project is different and depends on scope, product availability, permitting, and existing conditions. In the Hauberts' case, an experienced team completed three bathrooms and a kitchen in about four days. During your design consultation, your contractor should give you a realistic timeline based on your home's specific needs.
Can I stay in my home during a bathroom remodel?
In many cases, yes. Experienced remodeling companies sequence the work to minimize disruption and maintain access to essential parts of the home. Ask your contractor how they will manage water access, bathroom availability, and daily cleanup before construction begins.
What bathroom materials require the least maintenance?
Many homeowners choose non-porous wall systems, solid-surface shower bases, and premium fixtures because they are easier to clean than traditional tile and grout. The best materials depend on your goals, budget, and preferred maintenance level.
Should I remodel multiple rooms at the same time?
Combining projects can improve efficiency by reducing repeated demolition, scheduling, and installation visits. Whether it is right for you depends on your budget, timeline, and how you use your home.
What should I look for when choosing a remodeling contractor?
Look beyond photos of finished projects. Evaluate communication, responsiveness, experience, licensing, warranties, online reviews, and whether the contractor takes time to understand your goals rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.
Is financing available for large remodeling projects?
Many remodeling companies offer financing options in addition to traditional payment methods like cash or home equity loans. Comparing your options during the planning process helps you choose the approach that best fits your financial goals.
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