FAQs

We help you build on your own lot anywhere in Central Texas, including Austin and San Antonio. As an owner builder, you pay cost with no markup, and we guide you through design, financing and contractor selection.

Costs vary widely with your land, floor plan, finishes and location. Slope, soil, wells, septic systems and driveway length all move the price. We offer a free cost estimate, so contact us for current Central Texas numbers.

Usually yes. Clients tell us they save 10 to 30 percent as owner builders because you pay builder cost with no markup. Many also start with at least 20 percent equity, so they skip private mortgage insurance.

Yes. We guide you from planning through completion with a step-by-step construction guide, contractor bid reviews, contract forms, bank draw help and ongoing phone and email support. You stay the decision maker while we keep you on track.

Yes. We help you build on your lot across Central Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Marble Falls, Killeen and Victoria, plus surrounding counties. We provide referrals for designers, engineers, lenders and contractors.

Start with site selection and evaluation: house and driveway placement, foundation needs, tree preservation, septic location, utilities and soil. We also review your budget, survey and financing early, so surprises show up before construction starts instead of after.

Yes. If you have owned your land for a year by the time construction finishes, lenders give you credit for the equity you will have in the finished home. That means you rarely need 20 percent in hard cash.

No. Texas banks require a builder of record, and we fill that role so you can act as your own general contractor, manage the subs and keep the savings. We support you every step of the way.

Requirements depend on where your land sits. Cities need permits pulled by licensed mechanical contractors, and septic systems need approval. Our guidebook covers permits, engineering, surveys and utilities, and we point you to the right professionals for your area.

Call us before you buy or build. Our site evaluation looks at house and driveway placement, slope, soil, foundation needs and cost, trees and septic location. Slope and expansive soil can raise foundation costs, so we flag those early.

A short-term construction loan from a local or regional bank is the usual route, paid off later by a long-term mortgage. We connect you with Texas lenders who offer owner-builder loans, some with low down payments.

Often yes. Lenders look at provable income, good credit (usually 680 or higher), cash on hand, debt-to-income ratio, a solid appraisal and a decent budget. Most of our prospective clients qualify, and we connect you with a lender.

We usually need about three months to prepare plans, bids and lender approval before construction starts. Custom and owner-built homes then take longer to build than production homes, which finish in roughly three months.

Absolutely. You make the final call on every contractor and supplier, even a friend in the trades. We gather bids, share our vendor and contractor list, and review quotes, but you stay in control of who does the work.

You get lower utility bills and long-term savings. We explain the payback of options like solar, geothermal and rainwater tanks so you can decide what fits your budget. We offer guaranteed monthly energy savings through our Energy Wise program.

Consulting gives you detailed budgets, multiple cost estimates, bid reviews, contracts, a building schedule and 25 onsite inspections. We catch problems early, so you avoid surprise costs and the delays that come from missed steps.

Yes. Planning is the best time to adjust your floor plan, materials and finishes. We help you refine the design, meet with your architect as needed and update cost estimates as you go, so changes stay inside your budget.