Build with Heart. Crafted for Generations. (224) 400-6601
Our Process

Discovery Phase Custom Home Planning

Most builders sell you a price and figure out the details as they go. We do the opposite.

Schedule Consultation

Discovery Begins With Listening

Before we draw a single line, we want to understand the home you are trying to build and the life you are trying to build inside it. Discovery is structured but unhurried. It begins with conversation, moves through site analysis and program development, and ends with a written vision document and a preliminary budget you can rely on.

What Happens During Discovery

  • Initial consultation, on-site or at our studio, to understand your goals, lifestyle, family, timeline, and preferences.
  • Site visit and analysis, including topography, solar orientation, mature trees, easements, setbacks, utilities, and any known soils or drainage considerations.
  • Architectural program development the room-by-room functional brief that drives design.
  • Style and material exploration through reference imagery, sample boards, and visits to previous projects when relevant.
  • Architect introductions if you do not already have one we recommend partners whose process and aesthetic align with your vision.
  • Preliminary budget range based on program, site, finish level, and current market pricing.
Common Questions

FAQ About Discovery

Is there a fee for the Discovery phase?

The initial consultation and site visit are complimentary. If Discovery extends into program development and preliminary budgeting, we may quote a small pre-construction services fee that is credited toward your project if we proceed together. We are transparent about this upfront.

It is a range, not a fixed price typically presented as a per-square-foot range and a total project range. As the design develops, the range narrows. By the end of the Design phase, you have a guaranteed-maximum-price or cost-plus contract with detailed line-item costing.

That is what Discovery is for. Most homeowners begin with a feeling and a few inspiration images. Our job is to help you turn that into a coherent program. Bring what you have Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, a list of frustrations with your current home and we’ll build from there.