How two career lawmen joined forces with a real estate team to build better, stronger homes—while keeping the “North Idaho way” at the heart of every project.

When you sit down with John Cantrell and Spencer Mortenson, you hear more than building talk—you hear a lifetime of service. These are men who spent decades protecting families across Kootenai and Bonner Counties, chasing violent felons, standing up special task forces, and mentoring younger officers. Today, that same bias for action fuels North Idaho Experience Custom Homes—a builder born from brotherhood, sharpened in high-pressure environments, and laser-focused on doing the right thing when it counts.

In this episode of the North Idaho Experience podcast, Dave and Seth introduce the newest arm of the brand: a custom homebuilding team led by former and current law enforcement. The conversation ranges from SWAT medics and proactive policing to foundations, permits, and why “good bones” still matter. Here are the big takeaways if you’re dreaming about a ground-up build or a major addition in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum, or Sandpoint.

The origin story: service first, homes second

John and Spencer didn’t “fall into” construction. They were forged by years of problem-solving on the street, where stakes were measured in lives, not line items. That perspective translates directly to building:

• Calm under pressure: When a framing hiccup, supply delay, or unexpected soil condition appears (and it will), they default to plans, not panic.
  
  
• Team culture: The same trust that made them effective on CAT and task-force assignments now binds a network of subs who show up, communicate, and own their scope.
  
  
• Do-it-right ethic: They’ll re-dig a footing or re-hang drywall if it’s not to spec. Shortcuts are non-starters.
  
  

“We’ll only build what we’d put our own names on. If it’s not to our specs, we fix it—period.”

Why “foundation first” isn’t just a metaphor

The pod dives into the least glamorous, most consequential part of North Idaho construction: dirt and concrete. Our freeze–thaw cycles, lake-effect moisture, and hillside lots punish sloppy site work. The builders walk through real moments on projects where they insisted on further excavation and remediation—before a single wall went up.

What that means for you:

• Expect a thorough geotech + excavation plan. Drainage, compaction, and footing depth aren’t optional; they’re your home’s long-term insurance policy.
  
  
• Budget honestly for site work. In North Idaho, site prep can be 15–30% of total project cost depending on access, slope, and soils.
  
  
• Demand accountability. Your excavator won’t be warranting your house. Your builder will. Align on standards up front.
  
  

For a fuller checklist of build-smart decisions (mudrooms, RV bays, generator readiness, snow management), see top custom home features for North Idaho living.

Communication kills anxiety (and bad builds)

If you’ve never built before, the process can feel like a roller coaster: huge highs at framing and finishes; long, quiet “low” stretches at drywall and curing. John and Spencer’s antidote is deceptively simple: answer the phone, set expectations, and own the update cadence. It sounds basic, but anyone who’s waited weeks for a call-back knows how rare it can be.

Pro tip: Ask prospective builders how they’ll communicate during permitting, critical path trades (concrete, framing, mechanicals), and change orders. Clear weekly updates reduce surprises—and relationship strain.

Who they build for (and why that matters)

North Idaho Experience built its real estate practice by helping conservative families relocate for safety, space, and community. That same mission informs the build side. Veterans, first responders, and blue-collar pros gravitate to a crew that understands shift work, straight talk, and fiscal discipline.

• Trust is table stakes. When a client says “do it right, not fast,” the team hears, “Protect my family and my investment.”
  
  

No “square-foot specials.” The guys reject one-size-fits-all pricing and instead bid the real site, the real plan, and the real finishes—so your budget tracks reality.

Mountain-town reality: snow, power, and glass

Beyond stylistic choices (modern vs. rustic), the podcast hits what actually matters up here:

• Snow-smart roofs & entries: Pitches that shed, eaves that protect, and covered gear drops where winter really happens.
  
  
• Power resilience: Heat pumps are great, but plan a secondary heat source (wood/gas stove) and generator or transfer switch for outages.
  
  
• Windows that don’t ice castle: North- and west-facing glazing needs performance glass, air-sealing, and thoughtful overhangs. Big views, low bills—both are possible with the right spec.
  
  

Looking for inspiration? Start with this internal guide on custom home features for North Idaho and bookmark questions for your site walk.

The law-enforcement edge (yes, it helps your build)

Years chasing violent offenders taught the team a few habits that strangely fit construction:

• Pattern recognition: Spot small anomalies early before they become expensive failures.
  
  
• Chain of custody → chain of custody. In the field it was evidence; on a build it’s materials, scopes, and inspections. Documentation matters.
  
  
• Camaraderie: They build “with” clients, not “for” them. Disagreements happen, but resolution is fast and mission-focused.
  
  

A word on “leads” and why referrals win here

At one point the episode gives a playful jab at Zillow—the subtext being that relationships beat algorithms in this market. The best framers, concrete crews, masons, and cabinet shops are busy year-round. You don’t “win” their calendar with the lowest number; you earn it with clear scopes, on-time payments, and mutual respect. That’s why experienced builders bring more than a plan set—they bring a team.

Thinking of building? Here’s a practical path

1. Walk your land with a builder before you finalize plans. Slope, sun, and access should shape design.
   
   
2. Ask for a milestone schedule (permits → dig → foundation → framing → rough-ins → insulation → drywall → finishes → CO).
   
   
3. Clarify allowances (appliances, cabinets, tile) early; rising costs can sneak in here.
   
   
4. Decide on your resilience package (generator, wood/gas stove, heat tape, plow plan) before winter arrives.
   
   
5. Choose the right style for the site. Sometimes the answer is “mountain modern”: standing-seam roof, fiber-cement or engineered wood, timber accents, high-performance windows.
   
   

Why this team?

Because character scales. The same men who helped turn Coeur d’Alene from “meth lab headlines” to a family destination now put that grit into homes. They don’t promise perfection. They promise accountability, craftsmanship, and a phone number that actually rings.

If you’re “North Idaho curious” and want a straight look at permits, timelines, and cost, start the conversation with North Idaho Experience Custom Homes—and bring your toughest questions.