Your Dream Home

One of the main questions we are asked is “What is the process for building a custom home?”  Every home is different and we tailor our process to match each customer so that we can meet and exceed their expectations.  Below is a brief overview of the general building process.  We are more than happy to go through how we can specifically work with you when we meet to review your new home.

Building a Custom Home
     
Specializing in custom homes brings its own set of challenges and accomplishments.  Since every homeowner is unique, so are the creations they aspire to call home.  Because of that, every homebuilding process is different, from the location to the design to the construction.  As much as we would like to have a “cookie cutter” set of steps to follow, each process is unique to each homeowner’s desires, personalities, budget, level of involvement, and on and on and on.  However, the process can generally be divided into three steps: location, design, and construction.  Our ideal scenario is to be involved in all three steps, but we will be involved at whatever level the homeowner chooses.

The first step is location.  Most people have a good general idea of where they would like to live.  City or country.  Golf course or not.  Smaller, low maintenance lot or larger acreage.  Once those items are decided, we can help with specific locations.  Sun and breeze angles.  Drainage concerns.  Street appeal.  Traffic considerations.  Vegetation and trees.  Future development.  Utilities.  Easements.  Foundation concerns.  Taking all of those factors into consideration, we will walk the site with the Owner to try and help them better understand the relevant factors when it comes to site selection. 

The next step is design.  We have worked with many local architects, designers, and draftsmen as well as ones from Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.  If an owner does not already have their own architect, we will sit down with the owner to discuss the style, feel, and overall direction they wish their home to take.  If we have an existing plan that meets their needs or if it is a home already under construction, we will start there.  Otherwise, we will then recommend one or more architect/designer based on our view of compatibility, design, budget, and time frame.  Once the architect/designer has been selected by the Owner, we work closely with that architect/designer throughout the design process.  This helps ensure a well-run project that is consistent with the Owner's vision and is within the budget guidelines established.  The architect/designer will then be consulted as needed during the construction process.

The final step is construction.  After all of the planning, meetings, and other decisions made to this point, it is finally time to break ground.  Dale always spearheads the project and handles correspondence with the architect, engineer, and homeowner.  Rusty, Ben and Kate assist with ordering, scheduling and paperwork.  Homeowners are given notice before decisions are needed and Kate is available anytime there are questions.  Regular meetings to review progress and upcoming decisions are held as needed. 

There are certainly other parts to the homebuilding process but these are the primary areas.  We are not only willing but prefer to be involved in each step to help ensure the best possible product and to help establish an atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation from the onset.