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Lessons from Harvey Hine and 36 Years of Boulder Construction

At Fernhill Construction, we believe great homes start with great teams.
That’s why I launched The Build Project — a podcast dedicated to open conversations about what it really takes to deliver exceptional residential construction in Boulder, Colorado and beyond.

For our inaugural "in person" episode, I sat down with someone who knows Boulder’s construction and design world inside and out — Harvey Hine, founder of HMH Architecture + Interiors, and one of the most respected architects in the region.

Trust, Teamwork, and Communication in Boulder’s Construction Market

Harvey and I talked about how much the residential construction industry in Boulder has changed over the past few decades — and not always for the better.
One major theme we kept coming back to? Trust.

In today’s building market, clients are often overwhelmed with information, high expectations, and rising costs. Meanwhile, design and construction professionals sometimes struggle to maintain the trust and respect needed to guide projects smoothly.

Whether you're building a custom home in Boulder, remodeling a historic property, or designing a modern mountain retreat, the challenges are the same:

  • You need a builder and a design team you can trust.

  • You need transparent communication from start to finish.

  • You need a construction process that values quality, collaboration, and long-term success.

Why Early Collaboration Between Builder and Architect Matters

At Fernhill, we believe the best custom homes are built when the contractor and architect work together from the very beginning.

Harvey shared insights from 36 years of practice, emphasizing that design and construction used to carry an inherent trust — something that today often has to be rebuilt project by project. When we talk about residential construction in Boulder now, it’s not just about executing a design — it's about building relationships, setting realistic expectations, and advocating for clients throughout the process.

Early involvement of a trusted builder ensures that design decisions align with budget realities, permitting requirements, and construction logistics. It also minimizes surprises later — something every custom home client values.

Building a Dream Home in Boulder? Set Realistic Expectations

Another key point Harvey and I discussed was how modern media has distorted expectations around what it takes to build a beautiful home.

From HGTV shows to Pinterest boards, it’s easy for homeowners to believe that custom homes should be faster, cheaper, and easier than they really are. But the reality in Boulder’s construction market — with new energy codes, complex permitting, and rising material costs — is much different.

A successful construction project starts with:

  • Clear, phased communication

  • Realistic budget discussions early on

  • Trusting your team’s expertise

  • Willingness to compromise smartly where it counts

Details

Date

3/6/25

Category

Content

Reading Time

10 Min

Guest Info

Harvey Hine

Owner HMH Architecture & Interiors

Since starting HMH in 1989, Harvey has overseen the design of 400+ projects. Having grown up in Vienna, Austria—a city deeply entrenched in culture including rich traditional and modern architecture—his heritage leads the firm’s direction by placing emphasis on breaking away from conventional norms and ideas. When not contemplating architecture, you'll find Harvey making jewelry at his cabin in Eldora or crushing black diamonds on the slopes.

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