This year marks 20 years since Tim Rote and Kevin Sullivan took a leap of faith, a lot of grit, and a shared vision to start Dovetail Construction. What began with a single speculative home on a Bozeman hillside has grown into one of Montana’s most respected high-end residential builders. The foundation of their success is simple: quality, integrity, and service.
Rote and Sullivan’s story goes back long before the first foundation was poured. Friends from the age of five, both started working construction side jobs as kids, studied engineering and construction management in college, and gained experience both on job sites and in the office. Over time, they realized their shared passion for residential building and a mutual desire to do things better. That passion became the blueprint for Dovetail Construction in 2005.
Their first project involved buying land and building a high-end home without a buyer lined up. That single house attracted two custom clients on neighboring lots and sparked the company’s growth. It also came with early lessons. Launching just before the Great Recession taught them the value of staying lean, focused, and grounded.
“We’ve always been pretty risk-averse, and that helped us stay steady when a lot of others got swept away,” said Sullivan.
Images Courtesy of: Dovetail Construction
The name “Dovetail” refers to a joinery technique known for its strength and precision. To Rote and Sullivan, it also represents the way their complementary skill sets fit together, and the kind of business culture they’ve worked hard to create. “We set out to build a company that was ethical, fun, respected, and a great place to work,” said Rote. “We’ve always believed that a better experience for the client starts with a better experience for the team.” From mountain retreats to cozy family homes, their projects reflect not only craftsmanship but a commitment to relationships and place.
“Tim and Kevin have achieved their dream- building amazing homes with your best friend of over 50 years,” said Michael Kerby, Big-D Signature President and COO, Big-D Companies. “They exemplify what a true partnership is – loyalty, commitment, and integrity. That’s the basis of their friendship, and that’s the basis of their client relationships, which is the reason for their continued success.” Looking ahead, Dovetail plans to grow responsibly while preserving the values that have shaped its reputation. “We want to maintain what we’ve built, pass it on to the next generation, and make sure the mission of quality and integrity continues,” said Rote.
Twenty years in, Dovetail Construction continues to offer more than beautiful homes. It offers a promise kept, a process done right, and a partnership clients can trust.
About Dovetail Construction: Quality, integrity, and service; these are three of the pillars on which Dovetail Construction is built. Based in Montana, owners Tim Rote and Kevin Sullivan have earned a reputation for managing a positive and organized team-based process to quality construction that is as enjoyable as it is efficient. Dovetail employs an internal team of skilled carpenters and subcontractors in the region to ensure the client’s vision becomes reality. www.dovetailmontana.com.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Dovetail Construction
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