Question 1

When is the right time to bring a builder into the project?

Accepted Answer

Earlier than most homeowners think. Bringing a builder in before the lot is closed, or alongside the architect, lets the design conversation happen with real cost feedback in the room. That single change prevents the most common cause of cost and schedule pain on luxury custom homes.

Question 2

Will you walk a lot with me before I buy it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We do this regularly across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills, and the East Valley. The site walk is short, it costs nothing, and it gives you a realistic read on what the lot will demand before you commit.

Question 3

Do you take on remodels, or only new construction?

Accepted Answer

We focus on new construction and significant tear-down rebuilds. We are happy to refer remodel-only projects to teams we trust.

Question 4

How many projects do you take on at a time?

Accepted Answer

We deliberately keep our active workload small so Chris and the core team can stay directly involved on every site. That is the only way to hold the standard our clients expect.

Question 5

How much does a custom home cost in Scottsdale?

Accepted Answer

Cost is driven by design complexity, lot conditions, and finish level rather than raw square footage. Two homes of the same size can sit at very different prices. The right answer for your project comes from a working budget built around your actual lot and program. We are happy to develop one with you during pre-construction.

Question 6

How much should I budget for site work?

Accepted Answer

On a clean flat lot in an established neighborhood, site work can be a small fraction of the build. On a hillside lot in North Scottsdale or Fountain Hills, or a remote parcel in Cave Creek, site prep, retaining, drainage, and utilities can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We scope this during pre-construction so it is in the budget from day one.

Question 7

Do you use allowances or specify the full finish package upfront?

Accepted Answer

We specify as much of the finish package as possible at contract signing, with allowances only for the categories the homeowner genuinely wants to keep open. That gives you a contract price that reflects the real project rather than a number that grows as decisions get made.

Question 8

What is a realistic budget contingency to plan for?

Accepted Answer

Five to ten percent of construction cost is a healthy contingency on a well-scoped project. Less than that on a complex hillside or infill build tends to feel tight by the end. We are honest with clients about where their specific project falls on that range.

Question 9

How long does a custom home take to build in Scottsdale?

Accepted Answer

Plan on three to nine months of pre-construction followed by 12 to 24 months of construction for a luxury Scottsdale build. Smaller, well-detailed projects can finish at the short end. Larger homes with complex structural, glazing, or outdoor scope sit at the longer end.

Question 10

Why does pre-construction take so long?

Accepted Answer

Pre-construction is where the project gets shaped. Design development, structural and civil engineering, working budgets, long-lead orders, HOA submittals, and city permitting all happen here. Rushing pre-construction is the single most common reason a project struggles later, so we treat it as essential rather than optional.

Question 11

How long does HOA architectural review take in Silverleaf or DC Ranch?

Accepted Answer

Plan three to six months for the selective HOAs, sometimes longer if the design requires multiple submittal rounds. We run HOA review in parallel with construction documents whenever possible so it does not become the long pole on the schedule.

Question 12

What slows projects down the most?

Accepted Answer

Unanswered decisions. Custom homes rarely fail because of one big problem. They slip because dozens of small decisions sit open for a week at a time. Weekly decision meetings, clear deadlines, and a builder who picks up the phone keep that from compounding into months.

Question 13

What is design-build, and is that what you do?

Accepted Answer

Design-build keeps architecture, engineering, and construction coordinated under one accountable team from feasibility through final punch. There is no hand-off between design and construction, no learning curve when bids come in, and no finger pointing when the field gets complicated. Most of our projects are delivered this way.

Question 14

Will you work with an architect I already have?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We collaborate with the architect of your choice and structure the process so the design conversation includes real-time cost feedback from the start.

Question 15

Will you work with my interior designer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We coordinate selections, millwork, lighting, and finish details with whatever interior designer the homeowner brings. The earlier in design development the interior designer is involved, the better the finished home tends to be.

Question 16

Who is on the project day to day?

Accepted Answer

Chris Brecht and the project lead are on every job site every week. The superintendent is on site daily, walking the work and holding trades to the standard the home was designed for.

Question 17

Do you handle HOA submittals in Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Desert Mountain, and similar communities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We prepare drawings, material boards, and narratives that respond to the design guidelines directly and shepherd the project through review so design and construction stay on track.

Question 18

Can you build on a hillside lot under Scottsdale's hillside ordinance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hillside projects are some of our most rewarding work. We pre-walk the lot, plan the foundation strategy, and design the grading around the ordinance from the first sketch rather than retrofitting later.

Question 19

Do you build in Paradise Valley's review process?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Paradise Valley's review is rigorous by design. We prepare submittals that hold up to it, respond promptly to comments, and keep the schedule moving without cutting corners on documentation.

Question 20

Do you handle pool, ramada, and landscape on the same contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our luxury pool and landscaping service coordinates the outdoor program with the main build so indoor and outdoor scope finish out together rather than the yard becoming a separate project after move-in.

Question 21

How disruptive will the project be to my neighbors?

Accepted Answer

We plan site logistics, deliveries, and trade scheduling to keep day-to-day impact on the neighborhood as low as possible. Discretion in established neighborhoods like Arcadia and Paradise Valley is part of doing the work right.

Question 22

How will I know what is happening week to week?

Accepted Answer

Weekly updates with photos, schedule status, decisions pending, and budget status go to the homeowner. We respond within one business day to questions and we pick up the phone when it matters.

Question 23

What happens after move-in?

Accepted Answer

We stay close after handoff. The home gets a warranty walk at the right intervals and we are a phone call away when a question comes up. The relationship does not end at the final walk-through.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Cost and budget

Timeline

Process and team

Site, HOA, and permitting

Living through construction

Let us answer them directly.

Ready to design your custom home?