Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Though they have been in Roundup since 2018, you may not have known that Pronto Construction was a local business. Many locals struggle to find help with their building needs, and the local companies are often on two or three projects already. Pronto is no exception. You will often see the Pronto Trailer at the Hardware store on Main Street. They are currently bid out on contracts until next February with over twenty bathrooms to remodel and a waiting list on porches.

I was personally referred to Pronto through a local woman who was very pleased with the work and professionalism of the company. After getting to know Johnny Chavez and Stephanie Graben, I wanted to introduce them to the community by featuring them in our local news, as we do many new businesses.

The company relocated to Roundup Montana in 2018 from Southern California. Knowing the stigma that California brings to mind, they pointedly assured me that they left California and all the California-"isms" behind with them. They moved to get away from the corruption that keeps making the sunshine state such a disaster. Having a young son starting school was the final nail that drove them away from the state. They did not want to put their child in the local education system there.

The couple communicated that running a business in California was extremely challenging as well. They were working constantly and barely scraping by in a modest home. The building codes in California make any construction project a long and expensive process. One example that John explained to me; builders had to have an inspection of the screws before they could even begin to tape the sheetrock. Sometimes waiting weeks till an inspector was available. While waiting on these kinds of things, a contractor is trying to keep a crew employed, and customers happy. There were many such requirements in the building process in California. John and Stephanie are happy to be somewhere that the pace is slower, and pressure is not so intense. That being said, they are very busy people.

Pronto has recently updated their logo with a new look. They want their business to reflect a small town feel with prompt uptown professionalism. Building materials prices have been like a roller coaster. This makes a big challenge for contractors to give pricing. Pronto will always give a potential customer an estimate, but with the prices of materials varying so often, the estimates are only good for fifteen days. They then do a contract for any work, so that everyone is protected in the transaction.

When they first moved to Roundup, there was a lot of hesitancy from locals with the new business. The devastating hail storm brought many contractors who blew through town taking money and doing subpar work. Pronto soon made a name for themselves though, as they are accountable and transparent with their business dealings.

They struggled through Covid, as they each took their turn being sick, and it stopped business for over a month for them. John likes to see each project through from beginning to end, and if he is sick and not able to work, he doesn't send his crew, because he wants to be there for every part.

They have taken pride in this small town, and Stephanie is currently running for Justice of the Peace in the upcoming local election. When I asked her what prompted her to run, she informed me that she has always felt the need to serve her community. She was always interested in law enforcement. She is hoping to get a start by running for JP, and hopes to continue on, perhaps furthering her education of the law. Both Stephanie and John love the local community, and hope to someday see a revival of Roundup Main Street to its former glory.

Stephanie grew up in a small community in South Dakota. She moved with her parents to California as a teen, where she later met John. John was from a large family of eight siblings. The struggle to survive in a poor household instilled a strong work ethic and drive in John. Stephanie has a strong business ethic as well, and they are able to create a strong business together. Many contractors only work on new construction, but Pronto will work on old houses, new houses, difficult remodels, and dig into the work that others might turn down.

If there is a project in your plans, you may want to consider Pronto construction. 406-428-8030 [email protected]. Good luck to Pronto in business and life in small town Roundup, we are happy you are here.