My wife and I own a lot in the Traditions Club and have hired an architect to design our home. We would really welcome recommendations for a builder. Our construction budget will be $1.8M - $2.2M for around 6,000 heated square feet. Thank you!

Someone turn on the Bock bat signal!

With your budget being in the high end ($360/ft is really high for BCS) , I'd really consider Flagship. They are def one of the pricier options but they build a helluva home that looks the part of a high end home. They do not take on too many projects at once and will be at the house almost daily. Especially as each sub is finishing they'll make sure things are getting done right.

Other good builders I'm familiar with and would trust are Raven, RNL, and Magruder. These 3 will build you a good home but land you in around $230-250/sqft

Keys and Walsh or Keith Ellis. Two best custom home builders in the area. I've dealt with and own homes built by both.

Ridgewood Custom Homes puts out a great product.

PWR85 said:

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Keys and Walsh or Keith Ellis. Two best custom home builders in the area. I've dealt with and own homes built by both.

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This

Rob Crowley is excellent at the high-end stuff. (He built our home so he's also great at the more moderately-priced stuff, too.)

He was an accounting major at A&M who got into home building after graduation. So he brings a level of attention and detail to construction that is unmatched.

Crowley Custom Homes

We used Thomas for our home. I hope his subs are better now than 6 years ago.

No mention of Mariott Homes??

AggiePhil said:

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No mention of Mariott Homes??

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Good builder that delivers a solid product, but level of fit and finish does not compete with the likes of Keith Ellis and Keys and Walsh. Really depends on if the original poster wants a true luxury craftsman product or a solid straight down the fairway home. I would also throw CGM Homes(Billy Chenault) in there as a high quality craftsman builder.

RafterAg223 said:

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AggiePhil said:

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No mention of Mariott Homes??

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Good builder that delivers a solid product, but level of fit and finish does not compete with the likes of Keith Ellis and Keys and Walsh. Really depends on if the original poster wants a true luxury craftsman product or a solid straight down the fairway home. I would also throw CGM Homes(Billy Chenault) in there as a high quality craftsman builder.

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This.

Like barbeque, tex-mex, and pretty much any other request for recommendations, opinions certainly vary and some folks are highly opinionated. Doesn't make them wrong or right. I always like to get the wisdom of the crowd and make up my own mind.

I would offer that the term "custom home builder" is very broad and definitions will vary. To me, custom home builder is the high end craftsman type. The premium/luxury end of the market. These builders provide superior fit/finish, often improve the architects plan, and work with designers and subs that produce the very best of the best. Keith Ellis and Keys&Walsh fit that bill. There might be others, but I know those two well.

There is a next tier that, quite frankly, didn't even really exist in this town until the last decade or so (IMO). A lot of them have been mentioned on this thread. Crowley, MacGruder, Marriott and a few others fit this tier. There is nothing wrong with these builders at all and they have lots of delighted customers. But if you walk their homes, you will notice a difference. They also tend to have a style and a playbook vs a truly custom home.

It goes back to the definition and OP's "6000 sf for $1.8M-$2.2M". Assuming that doesnt include the lot, pool and landscaping, that is $300-375/sf. It also depends on the architect plans, materials, complexity, interior finish selections, technology, and a whole host of stuff. While $300-375/sf sounds like a lot (and it is), it might not be for what they spec/expect.

I also know from recent conversations that supply chain and vendor costs are high and it costs a lot more to build today than when I built mine. Kenn Walsh recently told me, for example, he could not build my house for what I am currently selling it for (its on Zillow, in Indian Lakes, on the lake for anyone who wants to buy ).

Anyway, the good news (IMO) is that we have a lot more good builders in this town than we used to and that's good for all of us as consumers. Get the wisdom of the crowd, interview references, walk their homes, and then make sure the personalities are a fit (including the actual construction manager you will have). It is very much like a marriage when spending this much money. You have to have someone you trust, because there will be issues/challenges and how you get through them together makes all the difference.

Southern Creek Homes. They've built in Traditions and Millican Reserve.

We build out in Traditions all the time. I would love to meet with you to see if we can help assist you in any way. Please feel free to email me at coultermariott@hotmail.com.

Thanks,

Coulter Mariott
Mariott Homes, Inc.
Fight in' Texas Aggie Class of '05

Agshooter05 said:

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We build out in Traditions all the time. I would love to meet with you to see if we can help assist you in any way. Please feel free to email me at coultermariott@hotmail.com.

Thanks,

Coulter Mariott
Mariott Homes, Inc.
Fight in' Texas Aggie Class of '05

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I'll bet. Dude's about to drop 2 mil.

Raven Homes does custom homes. He ranges from mid to high end and is only limited by what you want. We used him about 5 years ago and we're very happy. His subs are great too.

Home project that size go with Crowley. Coming in 2nd would be Keys & Walsh, but go with Crowley. You'll have sticker shock but you'll be satisfied with what you paid for.

Another vote for Rob Crowley. He is excellent and he builds all styles and sizes of custom homes. I would easily put him in the top tier of local builders.

He did our home in Williams Creek in 2011, did a back yard expansion and pool in 2020. He is meticulous, listens, and has exceptional eye for details and can solve problems if/when they arise during a project. He also does a great job of keeping you posted on the construction costs/budget and can work with you to modify the build to keep costs close to budget if you don't just want to throw money at the build.

You should definitely meet/interview him and look at some of his larger projects and talk to his customers. Trust me on this. Good luck w your build. PM me if you want to talk offline.

Can't go wrong w Marriott homes. Best and less stressful home building experience we had (7th new home).

Jeff Jones Custom Homes. 100% custom. Excellent detail.
979-774-8955

Elliott Custom Homes

Www.elliottcustomhomes.com

Gigem

Marriott built our last two homes. They are outstanding to work with. When you build with Larry, you become his friend.

What is the going rate per sq ft for a low/mid custom home without land going for these days?

Frisco said:

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What is the going rate per sq ft for a low/mid custom home without land going for these days?

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For anything of decent quality, $215-230/sqft.

Animal Eight 84 said:

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Jeff Jones Custom Homes. 100% custom. Excellent detail.
979-774-8955

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Super good dude. Easy to work with. He built our house.

Kevin @ 413 Custom Builders is the best. You can't go wrong checking them out.

413custombuilders.com