BP Building & Design

By Hayli Zucola

Brit and Brian Papka are the yin and yang of homebuilding—complementing each other’s strengths and acting as one another’s biggest supporters through every decision and new venture they take on.

Brian grew up in the construction eld—learning various tricks of the trade from framing and plumbing to cabinetry and interior trim—and like most contractors, he held a big-picture outlook for each and every project: simply viewing it as a wooden box that needed to be pieced together correctly and e ciently. Brit on the other hand, who’s no stranger to the physical tolls of building a home, is a visionary, a planner and focuses on the interior details of a build, whether it’s choosing the right tile, light xtures or paint colors to transform any house into a home.

Brit was just 17 when the newlyweds built their rst home together. Late nights were spent prepping footers, pouring concrete and standing walls at 3 am. Any free time they had was spent laying miles of electrical wire, installing so ts, siding and shingles. They hung drywall, installed trim and painted every blank canvas before adding the nishing touches. It was hard work, but it was worth it for what they imagined would become their forever home.

Seventeen years, four kids and several hundred cardboard moving boxes later, the Papkas recently left their third ownerbuild home and relocated their family of six into a 350-squarefoot camper with plans on constructing their fourth—possibly nal—home.

Throughout the years, Brit and Brian have remained humble regarding their individual talents—only acknowledging the other’s achievements—until this past year, when they nally accepted the advice of friends and family and decided to start their own construction business. Working together, they knew they could help other families turn a dream house into a forever home.

“I think that by being able to o er a team approach to the design/build process, we will be able to more e ciently meet the needs of our clients,” Brian says.

Brian was already equipped with the handson experience, but after putting in months of studying in a cramped camper, he o cially became a licensed contractor, which meant he could use the knowledge he gained working in the industry and the experience he attained while working on three of his own homes and intertwine that certi cation with Brit’s natural gift for design and comfort to cater to clients interested in everything from residential and commercial projects to renovations and new builds.

“This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years as a family,” Brit says.

“For as long as I can remember, we have dreamed of working together as a team.”

It’s been a long road for the Papkas to get to this point, but according to Brit, they’ve never been the type of family to take the easy route.

“Some enjoy taking the paved road enjoying the scenery along the way. Others won’t buy a vehicle unless it’s got four-wheel drive. They look for trails to blaze, obstacles to climb, almost trying to get stuck just so they can gure out how to get unstuck. Well, that would no doubt be us,” she says.

While this new endeavor has been a lengthy journey—one that everyone around them encouraged and predicted would be successful—the excitement of it all falls just under their four greatest accomplishments: their children Caidence, Kennadi, Bentley and Maverick (AKA Bear Bear).

With several projects already lined up, the road may have been bumpy, but the Papkas quickly garnered the love and support of their community.

“I really have gotten a taste of community this year and it just, it’s really, really great,” Brit says.

Brian and Brit with their children, Caidence, Kennadi, Bentley and Maverick

“I think that by being able to offer a team approach to the design/ build process, we will be able to more ef ciently meet the needs of our clients.” —Brian Papka

This is BP Building + Design Co. and they’re excited to build your dreams to life! ■