The rib and I recently purchased a few acres outside of Canyon/Amarillo with some great views of Lake Tanglewood and the north rim of Palo Duro canyon. Rib retired a couple of years ago and I've got another couple or three more years to go before I hang 'em up. Hopefully, in around 2027-28 we will start building our retirement/dream home. Could any of you in the area recommend a good, reputable, and dependable home builder in/and around the Canyon/Amarillo area so we can start the design process and planning/building stage?

As always, thanks in advance for your replies and look forward to your responses.

I worked with the owner of Wolf Creek Builders at Pantex. He builds concrete poured homes. I have been in one he did in Timber Creek Canyon and it was gorgeous. Not sure the cost differential of doing concrete walls, but I believe they are very efficient to heat and cool. Look then up on Facebook, they have videos of the process.

OP, sorry, I'm no help. Same house since 1994.

dhharder: So do you work at Pantex, did the guy from Wolf Creek work at Pantex, or were you both working a project out there?

My wife is soon retiring after 31+ years there

Bill Whiddick built ours. Saved a TON of money and job done right.

Doctor51 said:

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Bill Whiddick built ours. Saved a TON of money and job done right.

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I care less about the money, more about the "done right". Terry Poindexter in Amarillo is a fantastic painter, and Bryan Clemence in Canyon is a master carpenter and cabinet maker.

Unfortunately, both are slowing down and taking fewer and fewer jobs, but I 110% endorse them

CanyonAg77 said:

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OP, sorry, I'm no help. Same house since 1994.

dhharder: So do you work at Pantex, did the guy from Wolf Creek work at Pantex, or were you both working a project out there?

My wife is soon retiring after 31+ years there

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He still works out there and I did for 5 years but left about 6 years ago. Funny enough I just went through a second interview to go back out there, so could be soon returning.

I was in Procurement.

Wife is in process engineering, and right in the middle of the latest production units going out the door. She's proud of her work, but dealing with government is always frustrating, and it's time to go bug the grandkids.

Thanks for all for your responses! I'll definitely do some research on your recommendations. I was reading an article today about the current trend of building homes with exterior metal wall studs and with wood roof trusses, rafters, and supports as a cost saving measure. Again, something I'll need to look into given the cost of building materials rising because of the recent tariffs. I hear the cost of concrete is through the roof!!! A mostly concrete house would definitely be energy efficient but maybe too costly nowadays...

On a side note, my niece works at Pantex and has been there quite a few years. She probably knows some of the same people that y'all know.

Once we build and move to Canyon, I hope to meet up w/ some fellow Ags at Joe Taco on domino night and other local hangouts.

Thanks again!

You guys know the rules. The first rule of Pantex is... You do not talk about Pantex.

OP - there's a few folks on this board that get together from time to time to play some 42. Let us know when you get settled into the area.

BenTheGoodAg said:

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You guys know the rules. The first rule of Pantex is... You do not talk about Pantex..

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Maybe true 40 years ago. Not so much now. I worked with a lady in the early 80s, and she said her husband worked at Pantex. Me, being ignorant, asked what he did there. Response: "Oh, you don't ask that"

When Procter and Gamble was the prime contractor there, employees often said they made soap

Here's a link to the Texas Panhandle Builder's Association

Member Directory - Texas Panhandle Builders Association

I know a few of these if you have any questions. 4Ever Homes are good friends of ours, if you could stomach working with a Longhorn fan, but despite that, they do beautiful homes and are a great family business.

A couple of months ago I met a builder at the TPBA who builds concrete wall homes. I was surprised that the cost is only about 4-6% higher than traditional building. Lots of pluses, the biggest negative is that you really can't ever modify the home, at least not easily. Unfortunately I don't remember which of these builders it was, but if I was building a custom home, I'd look for him again to at least learn more.

I'm guessing the concrete guy is the Wolf Creek mentioned in the first reply?

That's it! I should read more

Thanks again for answering the call for help and recommendations. I've been researching quite a bit about the ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) homes and must say that we really like the pros to an ICF homes. The cons are very minimal and almost a non-factor. A lot of satisfied ICF home owners said it's like living in a Yeti cooler as they are extremely well insulated with low heating/cooling bills... Interior humidity problems are common but easily remedied.

I spoke with Wolfcreek Builders the other day and they invited us to stop by the next time we're in Amarillo/Canyon and they will take us to see some new ICF construction and possibly some newly completed ICF homes. Their Facebook page is very well done and it provides a lot of good detailed information, construction videos, and still photos. They use a home plan designer that specializes in ICF homes and hope they can tweak the floor plan I'm designing.

Your comments about Pantex are entertaining and true at the same time! A word of caution, be careful if you're goose hunting near Pantex or you might get a visit by their security team...

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A word of caution, be careful if you're goose hunting near Pantex or you might get a visit by their security team...

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I am aware of a plant lockdown precipitated by a couple of duck hunters on a playa about 2 miles south of the southern edge of the plant.

I suspect reported by some nervous nellie who didn't know squat about hunting or guns. I seem to recall it was soon after some school shooting or other incident that put some people on edge.

Mtngoat3006,

I own FTD Homes in Amarillo, please check out our website, https://ftdhomes.com/
my father in law is the director of construction and has been building homes over the last 40 years and is also certified in ICF. We would love to set up a time to talk with you.

TwentyTwelveAg,

I don't get up to the panhandle very often but the next time I plan a trip, I'll reach out to schedule a meeting with you to discuss our future building plans.

Thanks!