BUILD JOURNEY

Our build journey was developed after countless clients reached out for help picking finishes for their spec new builds. Our team works in tandem with you to review the options that your spec builder offers and curates selections that will set your house apart from any other house in the neighborhood. We join you for your in-person design appointment with your build (additional cost for outside of Dallas-Fort Worth) and advocate for you during the design process. We simplify what can typically be a very overwhelming process and give you the confidence and peace of mind that you are making the right selections that you will love for years to come!

INCLUDED SELECTIONS

• Exterior material selections (including stone, brick, etc.)

• Paint colors and sheen throughout (including trim and exterior)

• Flooring selections

• Tile selections throughout (including grout spacing and color)

• Countertop selections

• Trim and baseboards

• Cabinetry and built ins

• Venthood

• Fireplace

• Stair railing selections

• Plumbing fixtures

• Hardware

• Tub and shower options

• Interior and exterior door selection

• Appliance packages

• Media room packages

• Lighting throughout

• Additional selections as needed and agreed upon in the contract

  Everything listed is dependent on your builder offering selection options for each catagory. We work with your builder to create the most custom house possible within the offered selections.

What you can expect

• First, you’ll fill out the NEW CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE, please include the name of your builder and your design day (if you have it from your builder) in the form.

• We will send you a contract and work with you to schedule our discovery meeting and lock in the design day with the builder.

• Next is our discovery meeting (over video). The goal of this meeting is to discover your style, hear about your needs and wants for us to prepare for our meeting with the builder. During our discovery meeting, our team will create a custom moodboard with your inspiration, colors and textures that will be our guide during design day.

• Design day (we highly prioritize being in person but on occasion are able to do this on FaceTime), most often at your builder’s design center in the neighborhood you are building in. During this day, we serve as your advocate and make selections alongside you to bring the moodboard to life. As experts in design, we help to answer technical questions the builder has about thing like door heights, paint sheen and so much more.

• As the last step, we review the summary of all selections your builder provides after the design day to ensure that everything we discussed is being implemented to create the house of your dreams!

• Optional add on: near the end of your build (before closing), you can add on an in-person walk through of your completed build to catch any corrections that need to be made by the builder before closing. Many clients choose to add this on as part of their build journey for complete peace of mind. During the walkthrough, we take photos / videos as well writing detailed descriptions of any corrections your builder needs to make and provide those to you. We pride ourselves on helping you get exactly what you paid for! We’ve had several clients get brand new cabinetry, trim or even entirely new bathroom tile paid for by the builder as a result of our walk throughs. The cost to add on a walk through is an additional $1,200 (DFW rate) and starts at $2,500 for outside of DFW.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How is this different than the design services that my spec builder offers?

  • Great question! The majority of spec home builders hire salespeople to take home owners through the design process. In fact, some builders will give bonuses to the design center employees for helping clients like you choose the cheapest and easiest to install materials. What we bring to the table is a vast experience in custom and high end design and the technical knowledge to curate selections that take your spec build to the next level. We want your home to stand the test of time, not just quick trends that are on their way out. We are advocates for you, the client (not the builder) during the process to make sure you design a home that you will love for years.

• What is the difference between the Build Journey and Full Service Design?

  • The Build Journey is intended for clients who would like design expertise and material selection support while working with a spec builder. The Build Journey is not the best fit for fully custom homes as it does not include 3D renderings, drawings, collaboration with the architect, or construction management. The goal of the Build Journey is for us to transform a spec home into a masterpiece through thoughtful material selections and extensive design knowledge. Another element we love about the Build Journey is that it’s the perfect starting point for clients who are hesitant to build and furnish a house all at the same time. We are able to get the finishes and material selections perfect and have many clients come back after a year or two to furnish their homes, which is the cherry on top! If you would like to learn more about our Full Service Design services instead, please click here.

• I am considering building a spec home, when should I reach out for your services?

  • As soon as you decide on a builder/neighborhood! We absolutely hate having to turn away any potential clients but our schedule books up quickly and we are currently scheduling projects 6-9 months out.

• What does this service cost?

  • The investment is $5,000 for spec homes within a 45 mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The optional walk through service near the end of the build is an additional $1,200 (DFW rate) and starts at $2,500 additional for outside of DFW.

• Can I expect any additional costs?

  • We work within your stated budget for the project. That being said, some of the higher end finishes (wood floor, high end tile) that your builder has available to choose may be an upcharge on the builder’s side. A huge advantage of having us onboard is that we can explain in detail where additional investment will get you long term return versus the items that are not worth upgrading or could easily be added down the road. So while there may be additional expenses from your builder, our cost is a flat rate and most clients find that they end up saving money in the long run!

• Is this service available to people outside of Texas?

  • Yes, it is! We’ve designed for clients in Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and more! Because it involves travel for the designer that will work on your project the starting cost for an out of state project is $7,500. Please fill out the form below for a customized quote. All pricing includes travel.

• What would it look like for you to furnish my house after it is built?

  • We would love to!! Please just let us know that when you fill out the questionnaire, include what spaces you are looking to furnish and we will respond with a customized quote.

The first step takes less than 5 minutes - fill out our questionnaire and ease the stress of building a new home!