The prolific 27-year-old Missoula musician was, at the time, in the process of writing, arranging and recording two albums of his original music, with two different ensembles. Beyond that, he figured he would probably continue to live the semi-nomadic life of a professional musician, touring and playing shows around the country.
So as he and his wife, Stephanie, stand now in the basement of their nearly finished home, surrounded by piles of construction materials, Boone has to laugh at the series of events that brought the couple to this place.
“I feel like in a way, we've just been paintbrushes in this process, with some other force guiding our strokes,” says Stephanie.
What a beautiful painting it is, this house on Hickory Street in the heart of Missoula, just a few steps from McCormick Park. Though it lacks the final coats of stucco and other finishing details, the two-story house already catches the eye with its combination of traditional and modern touches, which include a garden space on a second-floor section of rooftop, projecting trellis beams along one side, and a semi-rounded front window that appears like an upside-down smile welcoming visitors.
Inside, the house follows a program designed around Boones' love for hosting friends and their individual passions - his music, her fitness training.
If houses could speak, this one would shout: “Labor of love.”
“I've never really understood why some people look at houses as an investment,” says Boone. “When we designed this, the whole point was to create a place we'd love to live for 30 years or more. It's our home.”
As beautiful as the house is, the story of how it came to be built is perhaps even more striking - a reflection of all that is hopeful in this era of economic worry. It may be the Boones' house, but it's also a community story that's still under construction.
The Boones spent their first night in their new house last Thursday, sleeping on the dusty subfloors. But it was hardly the first time they had slept under a roof near the corner of Hickory and River streets.
The space where the new house stands once served as the backyard to a house owned by Tom Allyn, the father of Boone's longtime friend and musical collaborator, Max Allyn.
Over the years, Boone and Allyn spent countless hours at that house, playing and recording music. Two of Boone's albums, “Ignore the Orange Hand” and “A Tale of Gold,” were recorded at the house.
When the Boones married, Tom Allyn hosted the couple's reception at the house. They later rented part of the house from him.
“It was always a place that just resonated for us,” says Boone. “I used to say, sort of jokingly, that if Tom (Allyn) ever sold the house, it was a dream of mine to buy it.”
Last April, just two days before Boone was scheduled to leave town for a two-week recording session in Bozeman, he ran into Allyn, who mentioned he was thinking of selling the house.
“I thought he was just talking generally, like something he'd been thinking about but wasn't really ready to do,” says Boone. “So I said, ‘If you ever really decide to do that, let me know because we might be interested in buying the house.' ”
An hour later, the Boones bumped into Allyn again, at the Good Food Store. Allyn asked Boone if he was really serious about buying the house. The two agreed to meet at the property later that afternoon to talk it over.
The first conversation didn't last long.
“He told us what he was thinking about asking for the property, and I said, ‘Man, I can't do that,'” says Boone. “It was definitely out of our range, which I kind of figured would be the case.”
But the two old friends continued chatting, and soon a plan was hatched whereby the Boones would purchase the back yard, a sizeable city lot that had previously been subdivided from the main property.
By the time Boone left for Bozeman two days later, he and Stephanie had already drawn up a rough design for the house - literally, on a napkin - and met with a designer.
Meantime, Boone contacted Tom Swenson, CEO at the Bank of Montana. A longtime friend and fan of David's music, Swenson began to help the Boones wade into the world of construction financing.
It wasn't a simple deal; after all, Boone was a self-employed musician, and few first-time homebuyers begin by building their own house. The couple's proposed design was ambitious, and their self-calculated price tag for the project was almost unfathomably low by modern Missoula standards: $45 a square foot - a fraction of today's common going rate for even modest home construction. Boone says Swenson told him a more typical rate would be about $150 per square foot.
Boone told Swenson he planned to keep expenses low by relying heavily on recycled building materials, sweat equity and help from friends.
Despite all those unorthodoxies, Swenson took on the project financing.
“That's where community banking comes to play and knowing your community,” Swenson said in a telephone interview this week. “Being a believer in general, and knowing David and knowing he's a genius and a dreamer who makes stuff happen, I just thought it was something I could support and help make happen.”
“I feel like Tom (Swenson)'s involvement and the fact that we were friends was just a bit of magic, in a way,” says Boone. “In these economic times we're in, it would have been easier for them to just stay out of this crazy project; but Tom and the people at Bank of Montana were so creative and dedicated to helping us.”
It took a few months to get plans and funding lined up for the project. In early July, the Boones commenced work by tearing down a large, old shed on the property. Together with a group of 14 friends, they stripped each board of nails - boards that would eventually become trim and other materials for the new house. On July 27, excavation of the foundation began.
Since then, the “magic” of the project has only intensified. A few days before framing of the structure was set to commence, the Boones learned that the man who they'd scheduled to help them wasn't available. Boone called his younger brother, Daniel, in Ohio, just to chat about the problem. Three days later, Daniel showed up in Missoula with a truckload of friends, appliances and even a front door strapped to the roof of the truck. In less than a week, the house was framed.
“We had 13 people living in our one-room apartment,” recalls Boone. “But everybody was there to have a good time and with the right spirit, and it was just like an old-fashioned barn-raising.”
Through friends, the Boones found other help: An old friend and musical collaborator, James Wassem, helped with the electrical work. Friend Jesse Reeves, a framer with Tamarack Construction, offered advice and instruction along the way. Jason Weiss, a plumber from the Bitterroot Valley, jumped in on a day's notice to help fix Boone's rough-in plumbing mistakes; the two are now fast friends (“He might just be the nicest guy ever made,” Boone says of Weiss). When it came time to install drywall, Boone's brother pitched in money.
“Everything has worked so fluidly, it's just been bizarre,” says Boone. “We've just kind of gone with it, day by day, figuring out what needs to get done next, and it seems like the right person has appeared at the right time every time we've needed help.”
Stephanie agrees that part of the project's success so far has been openness to surprise and a positive attitude.
“It's easy to get stuck in ruts of what you're supposed to do or how things are normally done,” she says. “But I think when you throw your heart into something and approach it with an open mind, you're more likely to see opportunities and solutions coming your way that you might not have even noticed otherwise.”
There's still plenty of work to do on the house: flooring and trim, painting and electrical finish work. The yard is a swath of frozen mud, and there's not a toilet on the premises yet. The couple hope to finish up by August, with Boone working on the house full-time while Stephanie brings in money from her work as a personal trainer.
But presuming no surprises, the Boones' original budget appears to be almost spot-on.
“There were definitely people who thought it'd be impossible to do this for this budget,” says Boone, who - while declining to publicly name specific dollar amounts - says the couple's mortgage will end up costing about as much per month as they would otherwise pay in rent for a house of their own.
“We thought by working hard and having faith in it, we could make it happen,” says Boone, “and it looks like we're going to succeed.”
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Warren wrote on Jan 10, 2009 8:23 AM:
" Cost per square foot in this article has to be off by a factor of 100. I would say they are looking at $45.00/sqft with the average house being built at $150/sqft. With the articles figures, a 2000 sqft house would only cost them $900.00 and would be typically $3000.00.
Have I missed something here? "
Have I missed something here? "
Chuck Kaparich wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:38 AM:
" Well, I wasn't sure before, but I'm now convinced of a crack epidemic.
45 CENTS a square foot? Does anyone proofread this crap? Talk about a math deficiency. You cant get the damn PERMITS for .45 a square foot!
At 45 cents a square foot, a two thousand square foot home would cost nine hundred dollars.Why the hell even bother with a banker? And then you wonder why newspaper subscriptions are in the tank... "
45 CENTS a square foot? Does anyone proofread this crap? Talk about a math deficiency. You cant get the damn PERMITS for .45 a square foot!
At 45 cents a square foot, a two thousand square foot home would cost nine hundred dollars.Why the hell even bother with a banker? And then you wonder why newspaper subscriptions are in the tank... "
a wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:39 AM:
" I think you got this wrong - try dollars per squar foot - $45 per sq. ft with the normal rate being $150 per sq. ft. Cents per square foot would mean all material and labor was donated. "
Chuck wrote on Jan 10, 2009 10:07 AM:
" The Missoulian has lost all credibility with me. This is more then a typo. How did this FRONT PAGE mistake get through the writer, editor, publisher, photographer ,hell even the printer should have caught it. Everything I read in the Missoulian from now on will be unbelievable. What a joke, just garbage. "
ohreally wrote on Jan 10, 2009 12:32 PM:
" If this kid can build houses for 45 cents a square foot, he's in the wrong business of making music, he could become an overnight millionare building and selling homes, and then just buy his way to music success like most of the other famous musicians have done. Sorry but that's right kids, it's all money and marketing.
Seriously, doesn't anybody read this stuff before printing it ? Actually it doesn't surprise me, I find a lot of stuff in this paper hard to beleive. Actually I was interviewed once by the paper and then completely misquoted in the story.
In any event, congradulations on the new home place "
Seriously, doesn't anybody read this stuff before printing it ? Actually it doesn't surprise me, I find a lot of stuff in this paper hard to beleive. Actually I was interviewed once by the paper and then completely misquoted in the story.
In any event, congradulations on the new home place "
jim lochridge wrote on Jan 10, 2009 1:00 PM:
" I liked the story, however 45 cents per foot is wrong. It is not possible to build a 2,000 square foot home for $900.00. I think you may want to offer a correction. Is it possible that you meant $45.00 per foot? "
Geminate wrote on Jan 10, 2009 1:36 PM:
" Ahhh, but what you all fail to see is that the house is made out of cardboard, aluminum cans, grass clippings, chewing gum and dung! "
baboy wrote on Jan 10, 2009 1:37 PM:
" "An upside-down smile welcoming visitors", huh?
That's called a FROWN, bozos. You trying for next year's Bulwer-Lytton award? "
That's called a FROWN, bozos. You trying for next year's Bulwer-Lytton award? "
Angry Builder wrote on Jan 10, 2009 2:14 PM:
" Try $45/sq foot, and the house is not finished. Would be nice if idiot reporters did a little homework before wasting valuable space in our paper... "
dwindle wrote on Jan 10, 2009 3:08 PM:
" Is it possible the article means cubic foot? A ten foot by ten by ten box is 100 square foot, but 1,000 cubic foot. "
Scott wrote on Jan 10, 2009 3:15 PM:
" Way to go Boone! I'm very proud of you guys and the faith you had to do this. Leave it to the people of Missola to look at the story in a negative fasion. Either way it doesn't matter how much it cost it was that a group of people came to help each other out. Thanks for playing at Zootown brother and may the Lord's spirit be in your new home. "
Bitterroot reader wrote on Jan 10, 2009 6:41 PM:
" It's great that you corrected your original story, but what happened to the comments that were originally posted after it? You made an error, it would have been refreshing if your corrected story had somehow acknowledged that. "
howaboutthat wrote on Jan 10, 2009 7:02 PM:
" Are you sure that that is correct, $45 a square foot, I recently heard about a kid that can do it for 45 cents a square foot, how come you don't do a story on him.
Speaking of housing costs, when are the prices going to drop around here like the are nationwide. Dah why do you think the housing market is in the dumper - They're to freakin' expensive, no one can afford them, pushed there by greed on the part of sellers, realestate agents and developers alike, they basically put themselves out of work with their own greed. "
Speaking of housing costs, when are the prices going to drop around here like the are nationwide. Dah why do you think the housing market is in the dumper - They're to freakin' expensive, no one can afford them, pushed there by greed on the part of sellers, realestate agents and developers alike, they basically put themselves out of work with their own greed. "
Another Bitterroot reader wrote on Jan 10, 2009 9:20 PM:
" I am very disappointed that the article was even printed with such a flagrant error. It was stated throughout the story that the home was built for 45 cents a square foot. This happened at a time when people are losing their homes and jobs. Many people who build their own homes are able to do it for this cost, why is $45 a square foot newsworthy? Are you trying to make people feel bad? I didn't see them but it sounds like you deleted all of the previous comments also... how sad. "
Colorado Reader wrote on Jan 11, 2009 7:58 AM:
" What a bunch of whiners. It's a good thing Montana has people like the Boones as well as the do-nothing cry-babies in this Comment section.
I hand built my house out of rammed earth with friends and reclaimed materials as well as new and it cost $100 sqft. The Boones have a remarkable story of participation, grit, vision and a wonderful banker. So what if the typesetter made an error? Good grief. What a picayune thing to blubber over. Grow up you pipsqueaks. "
I hand built my house out of rammed earth with friends and reclaimed materials as well as new and it cost $100 sqft. The Boones have a remarkable story of participation, grit, vision and a wonderful banker. So what if the typesetter made an error? Good grief. What a picayune thing to blubber over. Grow up you pipsqueaks. "
pj wrote on Jan 11, 2009 10:03 AM:
" What's so great about this story? My husband and I designed and built our two story, 1800 sq ft house about 10 years ago for $14 per sq ft, including the garage. We did it all ourselves, except for the roofing. We used a lot of salvaged materials from salvage yards (got 1200 sq ft of hardwood flooring for $800!)but we didn't make the news. "
really wrote on Jan 11, 2009 1:14 PM:
" To you people who are saying - why is this a story, frankly you don't get it do you, it's a story because the guy has some connection to the newspaper, friend, acquintance, etc, that did the story about him.
I think the real story is the story behind the story, as the story suggests there was some special treatment here from the bank....I don't know about you but I don't get any special treatment when I go to the bank. But hey, good for him, and best wishes. "
I think the real story is the story behind the story, as the story suggests there was some special treatment here from the bank....I don't know about you but I don't get any special treatment when I go to the bank. But hey, good for him, and best wishes. "
Low cost AZ wrote on Jan 11, 2009 3:23 PM:
" What's the big deal. Will any amount of research and the desire anyone can build a home on the cheap. 2 years ago we finished our 2800sf, 5 bed, 4 bath home for $39/sf on 20 acres and we have Corian counters, jacuzzi tub and every other luxury you could want. Sweat equity is the key, 98% on our part and 2 years to build, and being willing to shop for the best prices. "
dan wrote on Jan 11, 2009 5:01 PM:
" I love this story! its not about money its about community! It awesome when people step out and go for their dream!! "
Anne-Marie wrote on Jan 11, 2009 7:06 PM:
" I thought you meant a real house. Doesn't look like anything a real family could/would live in. Sometimes being cheap is just being cheap. "
FatWhiteman wrote on Jan 11, 2009 8:16 PM:
" Congratulations. I did the same thing for $30/square foot. Everything is finished except for the outside and 55 sq feet inside. We are living in the finished area that has 3 bedrooms and two baths. The remaining unfinished will have another bedroom with bath and a family room. We used all new materials but did all the work with family only-no contracting. Difference in cost may also be the difference of where we live. "
PFMinTN wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:57 AM:
" We lived in our barn while we built about 70% of our home ourselves here in TN.
It was GREAT! "
It was GREAT! "
addthis wrote on Jan 12, 2009 9:23 AM:
" The only thing everyone seems to be ignoring is, isn't your "sweat equity" worth something ? It's you time, so all you are doing is taking on a part-time job for free. Likewise with all the people who put their sweat equity into your house.
You could just as well get a second job and then pay someone to, say put your kitchen in, whether you come out ahead or behind depends on how good/efficient you or the hired person is, either way it's a little disingenuous to say those costs are $30,$40 or whatever a square foot. If that is so then imagine all the profit in a $150 sq/ft, whew.. somebody is ripping off somebody at those prices.
So what's you time worth, add that to the price. "
You could just as well get a second job and then pay someone to, say put your kitchen in, whether you come out ahead or behind depends on how good/efficient you or the hired person is, either way it's a little disingenuous to say those costs are $30,$40 or whatever a square foot. If that is so then imagine all the profit in a $150 sq/ft, whew.. somebody is ripping off somebody at those prices.
So what's you time worth, add that to the price. "
Joe Nickell wrote on Jan 12, 2009 12:08 PM:
" For what it's worth, I've put up an exhaustive explanation of what happened here at my blog (Comments here don't allow embedded links but you can copy and paste this link: http://nickellbag.com/?p=232). I truly regret the error, as do we all. "
Holly wrote on Jan 12, 2009 1:10 PM:
" This article gives me hope and reality for my own catch phrase that I live by faithfully. Just do the next right thing in front of you and good things will happen.
Congratulations. They deserve to be homeowners! "
Congratulations. They deserve to be homeowners! "
michael healy wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:33 PM:
" Once in a while you get to read good stories about people whose lives reflect generosity of heart. David and Stephanie create such stories. Too bad some have bitterness when such enjoyable people get a break. Believe me, the friendships they have cultivated feel good to be a part of the "labor of love" involved in this lovely home. Before bickering one might try and meet these wonderful folks, or listen to the music. "
g hope wrote on Jan 10, 2009 5:28 AM:
I appreciate the story on the Boone's new house on Hickory. I have trouble believing the cost per foot. If the house costs 45 cents a foot and if it were 1000 feet it would coast $450 dollars. It looks like it is less than 1500 square feet, that puts it about about $700 to build.
Normally, houses cost $150 a square foot to build. Even with help and donated materials, I am having trouble believing the numbers reported in the story. Is the decimal point in the wrong place or is this place a miracle?
G. "