I am getting ready to build a custom home in the area. Does anyone have any suggestions as to who does quality work in this area? I have an appt. with Ellis Custom Homes and am open for any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

We built in Indian Lakes four years ago and used Pitcock & Croix (Randall Pitcock). We had a great experience with him and his team and I highly recommend them. We love our home and even after four years, Randall is always responsive to any questions or concerns we might have. If I ever built another home, I would use him without hesitation.

Mariott is considered one of the best in the area--they did an excellent job for me on an extensive remodel. I have also had good luck with Ronnie Keys (Keys and ???).

I recommend using Travis Lyon of Lyon Homes. He built our house last year in Castle Rock. He is always easy to get in touch with during the building process. Very efficient with concerns or changes that you may have. his website is www.Lyonhms.com

Thank you for the replies, do either Pitcock and Croix or Lyons have an in-house architect??

Heath Townsend/Heath Townsend Homes. He is building in Castle Rock, Pebble Creek, and Castlegate, if you want to check out some of his work. I live in one of his homes; I love the house and he provides outstanding customer service!

Greg Pound at Greg Pound Custom Homes

A good builder can use a CAD program right in front of you to modify layout and design.

Pick a house that you like and show it to your builder.

We are a custom design build firm that specializes in energy efficiency. We have developed our own articulation of a design theory called Transitions that we posted about yesterday in a thread titled Home Design Ideas. We win awards for customer service. The design build approach allows us to to create a smooth, integrated process from concept to completion. It also allows us to more thoroughly design and build the project on paper minimizing surprises once construction starts.

Hugh Stearns
President
Stearns Design Build
StearnsDesignBuild.com

Keys and Walsh

I think there are 5-10 builders who build mostly Pebble Creek, Traditions and Miramont. I'm sure people in those subdivisions could recommend a few choices to interview...

http://www.mlscustomhomes.com/

Jefferson Christian is an excellent choice.

I would like to throw our hat into the ring. My name is Matt Johnson and am with Blackstone Handcrafted Homes. We would love to have the oppourtunity to speak with you about your families new home!

www.blackstonehandcrafed.com


Matt Johnson | 979-696-HOME(4663) | The Cornerstone of Luxury Living

Aggie 509th - don't think you would find a local builder with an in house architect. Original Texan is correct that a good builder should be able to work with you if you have a plan that needs some modifications. Some builders have plans that they own that you can choose from. If you want something truly custom, I'd recommend a designer. That would be much cheaper than hiring an architect. We used Kirby Fleming to design ours and he did a great job for us, and he works with many builders in the CS area.

My neighbors had a custom built home by JMV Custom Homes, Jason Merek. They absolutely love their home and I personally saw Mr. Merek there each and every day hands on overseeing construction. I believe he builds the majority of the houses in the Bryan area, especially in Austins Colony.

My wife and I have been very impressed with Jason Merek and with Raven Homes when we do the Parade of Homes.

Keith Ellis is top of the line. Maybe a little on the high side but excellent quality and client service. Ask anyone who has an Ellis home

2nd the Jefferson Christian

Donny Sprague at Donovan Homes. Maybe not as active in the custom market as he used to be, but he has an eye for quality. I ran in to him on a Friday afternoon at 5:30 checking out his subs. That pretty much sold me. Remember you can always pay too much.

Kirby Fleming is an excellent designer. Crowley Custom Homes is also a very good top of the line builder.

Keith is building our house right now and we highly recommend him. This is the second house he has built for us.

I am a custom home builder and remodeler in BCS and surrounding area and would love the chance to bid on your home. I am also a realtor and can transition all the paperwork to make your move in as smooth as possible. I am on the job everyday and don't believe in the "nickel and dime" upcharges to clients that many builders charge. I'm generous with allowances and take pride in a well built home.

I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks,
Chris M. Whatley
cMARC Homes, LLC
CLICKpoint realty, LLC

Come see us at M-M Design. We can help you with your custom house plan. 694-7059 Steve

I think most builders who some would describe as "HIGH" is it because they use quality subs who are also prolly HIGH. It isn't like their contractor fee is higher, just the quality (and thus price) of subs in town.

You can get paint for 5000 or 15000, a big difference in price, but also quality.

That is a really good point SARATOGA, It is amazing how much work we do on existing homes just to correct the corners that were cut when the home was built. And paint is a good example. You can be great at cutting a line and buy the best paint available but, if you do not take the time to properly clean the surface, you will have a vastly inferior paint job that does not endure well.

Unfortunately, this is not exactly the builder's fault. The market is fueled by a cost per square foot equation for value. This means that a builder dependent on high volume must do all that they can to keep costs down, so, in most cases, they will have hired the least expensive, painter and bought the least expensive paint. I am not saying that all builders go for the absolute lowest quality everywhere, but there is a lot of market pressure in that direction. That is why we only do custom homes. Even in that market most customers are looking for the "best Deal" in terms of price per square foot. What often happens is they get a house that did not cost as much up front but ends up costing more in monthly utility bills and maintenance for years to come.

Hugh Stearns
President
Stearns Design Build
StearnsDesignBuild.com

Heath Townsend with Heath Townsend Homes built our home in Castle Rock. We love the house. Heath is very attention to detail and his houses are very well built. He will help you build your house the way you want it.

Ive heard Km custom homes is the best. Kenny has built several of our friends houses and they are all happy and he's like their good friend now. Cool guy

Ellis built my house. I rate him very highly. He can handle complicated designs:










[This message has been edited by Yuccadoo (edited 8/9/2012 8:39p).]

+1 for Travis Lyon. He built our home and went above and beyond our expectations. We were told by friends that building a home can be stressful, but that wasn't true for us! Travis made it a wonderful experience, and we LOVE our home! We couldn't ask for more!

Sherman with Click custom homes is a perfectionist. He builds a very good home.

Dennis

Yuccadoo : NICE house. Did you win the Texas Lottery?

Yuccadoo -

Your landscaping is amazing. Truly. Love the rock work.

Your architect is prolly on LSD.

Yucadoo, man, awesome landscape and cool house.

I hope your builder and landscaper (if you didn't do it yourself) has it on their website on the front page!

God's Peace,
Chuck



[This message has been edited by chucktheaggiejeweler (edited 8/10/2012 7:22p).]

No lottery wins....just 30 years of hammer and tongs work and lots of good fortune and good people along the way. Thanks, all.

Architecture firm is from Austin: Barley + Pfeiffer. Ellis was good to work with. We made a lot of small but interesting changes on the fly and everyone kept their cool. My wife did almost all of the interior choices with help from friends, artisans, and Keith's creative supervisor. We're happy with the outcome.

The house is 3400 sq ft, so no McMansion, but great views and dynamic landscape. We feel pretty lucky to get what we wanted.