Our Process
Consultation
At Custom Homes in Saint Paul, we offer complimentary consultations designed to give you clarity, confidence, and direction from day one.
Whether we meet at your home or welcome you into our office, this initial conversation is all about understanding your vision and helping you take the next step with confidence.
During your consultation, we will:
- Review your project goals and ideas
- Provide initial cost guidance and budgeting insight
- Walk you through our proven building process
- Outline clear next steps and timelines
Our goal is simple—to give you real information upfront so you can make informed decisions without pressure.
Preliminary Costs
One of the first questions most clients ask is: “How can I understand the cost before committing?”
At Custom Homes, we’ve spent years refining our rough estimating process to give you real, reliable insight early on—before you invest time and money into the full design phase.
Our team will develop a preliminary project estimate based on your goals, scope, and past project data. This gives you a clear understanding of:
- Expected investment range
- Where your budget is being allocated
- Whether the project aligns with your financial goals
This step is designed to help you move forward with confidence—knowing whether it makes sense to proceed to the next phase, adjust scope, or explore alternatives.
No guesswork. Just honest numbers to help you make the right decision.
Planning & Design
Don’t have plans yet? No problem—we’ve got you covered.
At Custom Homes, we partner with an award-winning design team to bring your vision to life—from initial concepts to fully detailed construction plans. This phase is where your ideas take shape and your project truly begins.
During planning and design, we will:
- Translate your ideas, inspiration, and goals into a functional, buildable design
- Develop floor plans, layouts, and elevations tailored to your lifestyle
- Guide you through selections, finishes, and overall design direction
- Provide ongoing budget feedback to keep your project aligned financially
Our collaborative approach ensures that design and cost stay aligned from the start—helping avoid surprises later in the process.
The result? A well-thought-out plan that not only looks great, but is practical, buildable, and within your budget—setting your project up for success before construction even begins.
Estimating
Built on Transparency
At Custom Homes, we operate as a true open book contractor—something that sets us apart in today’s market. What does that mean for you? Unlike many builders, we provide full visibility into your project costs by uploading subcontractor quotes directly for your review. You’re not just taking our word for it—you’re seeing the numbers firsthand, with complete transparency and confidence in every decision.
Even more importantly, you receive our full builder discount pricing directly from our vendors—with no hidden markups. Our goal is simple: align our interests with yours and deliver the best possible value.
During the final estimating phase, our team goes a step further. We carefully break down and analyze every cost in a clear, spreadsheet format—what we call our “dissection process”—to ensure you are getting the most competitive pricing from our trusted network of vendors.
The result? A streamlined, transparent, and cost-conscious building experience where you stay informed and in control every step of the way.
Online Client Experience
Make selections easy—without the stress.
At Custom Homes, we use a fully customized online platform designed to keep your project organized, transparent, and actually enjoyable from start to finish.
With 24/7 access from your computer or phone, you can:
- Review and approve selections at your own pace
- Track budgets, costs, and changes in real time
- Communicate directly with our team in one organized place
- Access documents, schedules, and updates whenever you need them
Everything is centralized—giving you a clear, accurate financial picture and a complete paper trail throughout your project. Best of all, there’s a mobile app, so you can stay connected and in control no matter where you are.
Simple. Transparent. Built around you.
Project Scheduling
Stay informed and confident every step of the way.
At Custom Homes, we build a fully customized schedule for your project, so you always know what’s happening—and what’s coming next.
Our scheduling system provides:
- Clear timelines broken down daily, weekly, and monthly
- Real-time visibility into project progress
- A roadmap of upcoming phases so there are no surprises
No guesswork. No wondering where things stand.
You’ll have a clear view of your project from start to finish—giving you peace of mind and confidence that everything is moving forward as planned.