Custom homes
Custom Home Building Services
Ground-up custom homes, teardown rebuilds, and land-plus-build projects. We vet the site, set a real budget before the foundation, and design and build it under one team.
A custom home is the biggest thing most people build. The lot has to be vetted, the design has to be buildable to the budget, and the envelope has to perform for decades. Getting those three right, before the foundation is poured, is what separates a custom home you love from one you regret.
Why choose us
Why choose us for your custom home
01
The budget is real before the foundation is poured
A custom home is where a vague number does the most damage. We specify and itemize the entire house, set honest allowances on every selection, and lock the budget before we build. That discipline up front is what keeps a dream home from becoming a change-order machine.
02
We vet the land before you commit to a plan
Access, utilities, soil, slope, and critical areas decide whether a lot is buildable and for how much. We run site feasibility first, before you buy the land or fall in love with a design, so the plan is drawn for a site that can actually carry it.
03
Design and build under one team
An architect who does not price and a builder who inherits the plans is how beautiful designs blow the budget. We design and build under one contract, so the drawings stay buildable to the number, and there is no one to point fingers at but us.
04
Built to perform, not just to photograph
A custom home should be quiet, comfortable, and cheap to run for decades, not just striking in the listing photos. We build a high-performance envelope, right-sized systems, and the structural and waterproofing detail that make the house last.
Avoid these
Common custom home building mistakes to avoid
Six ways custom homes go over budget and off the rails, almost all of them settled long before framing starts.
The lot is bought before it is vetted
Access, utilities, soil, slope, and critical areas decide whether a lot is buildable and at what cost. We run site feasibility first, before the land or a design is committed.
The house is priced per square foot
A square-foot number hides the specification that actually sets the cost. We price the real house, itemized, with allowances, so the number means something.
Allowances are set low to win the job
Lowball allowances for finishes, fixtures, and appliances become a flood of change orders once you start choosing. We set honest allowances up front.
Design and construction are not talking
An architect who does not price and a builder who inherits the plans is how designs blow the budget. We design and build as one team, so the plan is buildable to the number.
Site work is underestimated
Excavation, drainage, retaining, utilities, and the driveway can be a huge share of a custom home and are easy to gloss over. We scope site work in detail, not as a placeholder.
The envelope is an afterthought
Skimp on insulation, air-sealing, and windows and you get a house that is costly to heat and never quite comfortable. We build a high-performance envelope from the start.
Quality
What quality custom home building looks like
The finishes get photographed. These are the things that make a custom home sound, efficient, and durable for decades.
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Real site and foundation engineering
Geotech, drainage, and a foundation designed for the actual soil and slope, not a template dropped on the lot.
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A high-performance envelope
Insulation, air-sealing, and windows that meet or beat Washington energy code, so the house is quiet, comfortable, and cheap to run.
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Right-sized, efficient systems
HVAC, often a heat pump, sized to the house, with mechanicals laid out to be serviceable for the long haul.
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Structural and seismic done right
Engineered load paths and seismic detailing throughout, built from stamped plans, not assumptions.
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Waterproofing at every critical detail
Roofing, flashing, decks, and below-grade areas detailed to keep water out for the life of the house.
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Finishes and millwork that hold up
Materials and workmanship chosen to last, with the craft in the joints you notice up close.
Options
Types of custom home projects
Most custom builds start from one of these three. Which one you are in shapes the feasibility and the budget.
Level 01
Build on your lot
A new custom home on land you already own.
- Site feasibility and design
- Foundation and structure
- Full systems and envelope
- Finishes to your spec
What moves the price: site conditions, size, and specification level.
Level 02
Teardown and rebuild
Replacing an existing house with a new custom build.
- Demolition and site prep
- New foundation
- A whole new home
- Utility reuse or upgrade
What moves the price: demolition, site work, and whether utilities can be reused.
Level 03
Land plus build
Finding and vetting a lot, then building on it.
- Lot feasibility before purchase
- Design to the site
- Full ground-up build
- Everything under one team
What moves the price: land conditions, access and utilities, and the home spec.
Permits & code
Custom home building permits and code in Washington
A new home here is shaped by the site, a strict energy code, full structural engineering, and a permit process with real fees and many inspections.
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Site feasibility and critical areas
Slope, wetlands, and drainage rules can shape or stop a build. We assess the site and any critical-area constraints before design. TKTK specifics by lot and city.
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Washington energy code and performance
New homes must meet a strict energy code, and building past it pays off in comfort and bills. We design to perform, not just to pass.
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Structural engineering and seismic
A custom home needs full engineering and seismic detailing for this region. We build from stamped plans throughout.
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Permits, impact fees, and inspections
New construction carries a full permit, impact and connection fees, and many inspections. We manage the process and the schedule. TKTK typical review windows and fees by city.
Service areas
Custom home building by city
Site rules, permit offices, and local costs change by city. Pick yours for the details that apply to your lot.
FAQ
Custom home building FAQs
How do you keep a custom home on budget?
By specifying and itemizing the whole house, setting honest allowances, and designing and building as one team so the plan stays buildable to the number. A custom home is where a vague budget does the most damage, so we do the hard part first, before the foundation is poured.
Do you help me find or evaluate land?
Yes. We run site feasibility, access, utilities, soil, slope, and critical areas, before you buy, so you are not committing to a lot that cannot carry the home you want or that costs a fortune to make buildable.
Can you tear down and rebuild?
Yes. A teardown and rebuild is common when the lot is right but the house is not. We handle demolition, site prep, and the new build, and tell you where existing utilities can be reused to save money.
Do you do design-build, or do I bring an architect?
Either. We design and build under one contract, which keeps the plan buildable to the budget and puts one team on the hook. If you already have an architect, we work with them. We will tell you honestly which path fits your project.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
Longer than a remodel, and design, permits, and site work drive the schedule more than the framing does. We put a phased timeline in writing and flag the real risks. TKTK typical ranges.
What does a custom home cost?
It depends on the lot, the size, and the specification, so we price the real house against your site rather than a square-foot average. See your city page for local context, or send the form to start a conversation. TKTK local cost context by city.
Ready when you are
Start your custom home
Tell us about your lot or your plans. We will talk through feasibility and budget, call within one business day, and lay out a real path forward with no pressure to sign.