Septic systems
New and replacement septic systems on lots where river soils and groundwater shape the design. See septic systems.
Missoula County · Blackfoot & Clark Fork
Builder & Excavation in Bonner-West Riverside, MT
Handy's Construction works in Bonner, Milltown and West Riverside, where the Blackfoot River meets the Clark Fork east of Missoula. One owner-run crew handles excavation, septic systems, foundations, shops, additions and remodels on river-bottom and bench lots, with free on-site estimates.
Handy's Construction is a licensed and insured Montana general contractor based in Missoula, owner-operated by Tyler Handy and serving Missoula, Ravalli, Mineral and Lake Counties.
Does Handy’s Construction work in Bonner-West Riverside?
Yes. Handy's Construction works throughout Bonner, Milltown and West Riverside from its Missoula base a few miles west on I-90. The crew handles site prep and excavation, septic systems, concrete foundations, shops and garages, additions and remodels, and demolition, starting with a free on-site estimate from owner Tyler Handy.
Bonner-West Riverside grew up around the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers, and around the sawmill at Bonner that shaped the area for generations. Much of the housing reflects that history: older mill-era homes on modest lots, mixed with newer houses and acreage on the benches above the rivers and up the Blackfoot along Highway 200.
The rivers themselves have changed in recent memory. The Milltown Dam at the confluence was removed in 2008 as part of a large cleanup, and the land around it has since been restored, with Milltown State Park now overlooking the rivers. For anyone building nearby, the takeaway is simple: ground close to the water is river sand, gravel and cobble, and groundwater near the confluence moves with the spring runoff.
That is why so many projects here start below grade. A new foundation or an addition on an older house needs footings below frost and a plan for water. A septic replacement on a small lot near the river needs a system designed for the soil and the separation to groundwater. A shop on a bench lot up the Blackfoot needs a pad cut, a slab and a driveway that does not wash out. Handy's Construction does the dirt work and the building with the same crew.
Confluence projects
What does Handy’s Construction build most often in Bonner-West Riverside?
Foundations
Footings below frost and foundations planned for wet spring ground, for new homes and additions. See concrete & foundations.
Remodels and additions
Older homes near the old mill get new kitchens, more room and rebuilt decks. See remodeling & additions.
Pads and driveways
Clearing, grading, gravel drives and building pads on bench lots up the Blackfoot. See excavation & site prep.
Ground & rules
What should Bonner-West Riverside owners check before they build?
Handy's Construction looks at three things first on any site near the confluence.
- Groundwater in spring. Near the Blackfoot and Clark Fork, the water table rises with runoff. It decides basement versus crawlspace and how a septic system is designed.
- Cobble under the topsoil. River gravel and cobble dig differently than valley silt and can change the excavation plan and the price.
- County permits. The community is unincorporated, so Missoula County and the Missoula City-County Health Department handle permits, not the City of Missoula.
Bonner-West Riverside site checklist
- Soils
- River sand, gravel and cobble near the water; firmer ground on the benches
- Septic permits
- Missoula City-County Health Department
- Building permits
- Missoula County
- Access
- I-90 and Highway 200; long gravel drives on bench and Blackfoot lots
Services in Bonner-West Riverside
Which Handy’s Construction services are available in Bonner-West Riverside?
All eight. If you have been searching for septic installation near me in Bonner-West Riverside, start with these three.
Septic Systems
Septic tank and drain field installation and replacement for rural homes.
- New installs and replacements
- Drain fields dug in-house
- Permit steps coordinated
Excavation & Site Prep
Clearing, grading, basement digs, trenching and driveways for build sites.
- Land clearing and grading
- Basement and footing digs
- Utility trenching
Remodeling & Additions
Kitchens, additions, decks, flooring and interior remodels.
- Kitchens and interiors
- Additions and decks
- Commercial remodels
Nearby towns Handy’s Construction serves
Bonner-West Riverside FAQ
What do Bonner and West Riverside owners ask Handy’s Construction?
Is there a contractor near me in Bonner-West Riverside, MT?
Yes. Handy's Construction is based in Missoula, a short drive west on I-90, and works in Bonner, Milltown and West Riverside. Call (406) 491-6141 and owner Tyler Handy will set up a free site visit.
Does river-bottom ground near the confluence change how you build?
It can. Lots near the Blackfoot and Clark Fork are often sand and cobble with groundwater that rises in spring, which affects foundation depth, drainage and septic design. Handy's Construction checks the ground at the site visit and plans the foundation and septic system around it.
Who issues permits in Bonner and West Riverside?
Bonner-West Riverside is unincorporated, so building work generally goes through Missoula County and septic permits through the Missoula City-County Health Department. Handy's Construction confirms the steps for your parcel before work starts.
Get a free estimate in Bonner-West Riverside
Call Handy's Construction at (406) 491-6141 or send the form, and Tyler will set a time to see your property near the confluence.