Design + Build
Your lot. Your design. Your home.
From the empty lot to the final walkthrough — one team handles every step. As a licensed Arkansas REALTOR® and general contractor, I'm the only guide you need to design and build a custom home in Northwest Arkansas.
The Design-Build Advantage
One team. One contract. One point of accountability.
Most buyers don't realize how fragmented the custom home process is until they're in the middle of it. I eliminate the gaps between realtor, designer, and contractor — because I'm all three.
Traditional Route
- • Hire a realtor to find a lot
- • Hire an architect or designer separately
- • Solicit and compare contractor bids
- • Juggle three or more vendors
- • Mid-build budget surprises
Working With Me
- ✓ I find — and vet — the right lot for the home you want
- ✓ Design is integrated into the build, with one budget
- ✓ One contract, one team, one point of accountability
- ✓ A single relationship from land search to keys
- ✓ Line-item budget locked before ground breaks
Our Process
From first conversation to keys in your hand
Seven stages, fully transparent — so you always know what's next and what it costs.
Weeks 1–2
Discovery & Fit
We start with a no-pressure conversation: your lifestyle, wish list, target square footage, style preferences, neighborhoods, and rough budget. We make sure we're the right fit before a single dollar is spent.
Weeks 2–6
Lot Search & Selection
Using my real estate license and deep NWA market knowledge, we tour lots across Bentonville, Rogers, Cave Springs, Centerton, Farmington — wherever fits your life. Every lot is evaluated for setbacks, HOA rules, utilities, soil, topography, orientation, and resale.
Weeks 6–14
Design & Floor Plan
Working from scratch or a base plan, we develop floor plans and elevations together — walking through traffic flow, ceiling heights, window placement, and garage orientation. Exterior selections begin. Deliverable: stamped drawings ready for permit.
Weeks 12–16
Budget Lock & Contract
Plans go out for subcontractor bids. You receive a detailed, line-item construction budget — not a per-square-foot guess. We review together, adjust scope if needed, then sign a construction agreement. Construction loan process typically starts in parallel.
Weeks 14–18
Permits & Pre-Construction
I handle all permit submissions with the city or county. While permits are in review, we finalize every interior selection: flooring, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and appliances. Pre-construction meeting before ground breaks.
Months 5–13
Construction
Six milestone walkthroughs — foundation/framing, rough MEP, insulation/drywall, cabinet/trim, final finishes, and pre-closing punch list. Weekly photo and video updates, direct line to your superintendent, and draw requests handled by our office.
Months 13–14
Walkthrough, Closing & Warranty
Final walkthrough with a punch list. Certificate of occupancy issued, construction-to-permanent loan converts, and you receive your 1-year builder's warranty. I stay reachable long after move-in — this isn't goodbye.
Lot Selection
Don't have a lot yet? That's where we start.
The right home starts with the right land. Many buyers fall in love with a lot only to discover it can't accommodate their vision — bad soil, no sewer, a flood zone, or HOA rules that kill the design. We evaluate every lot for buildability before you make an offer.
What we evaluate on every lot
- Utility access — city sewer vs. septic, water, gas, fiber
- Setbacks, HOA rules, deed restrictions, easements
- Flood zone status and FEMA maps
- Soil conditions and topography (Ozark grading)
- Orientation for natural light and views
- Permitting jurisdiction (Benton vs. Washington County, city vs. county)
- Resale value within the subdivision
Financing
How to pay for a home that doesn't exist yet
Construction financing is its own animal. Here are the three paths most of my clients take — I'll connect you with NWA lenders who know new construction inside-out.
Construction-to-Permanent (One-Time Close)
A single loan covers the build phase (interest-only draws) and converts automatically to a 30-year mortgage at completion. One closing, one set of fees, no rate risk between phases.
Two-Time Close
Separate construction loan during the build, then refinance into a permanent mortgage at completion. More flexibility on the final mortgage product, but two closings and two sets of fees.
Using Equity in Your Current Home
Your existing home equity can often be applied to the down payment. We'll coordinate the timing of selling, building, and closing with your lender from day one.
Throughout construction, draws are inspected by your lender and submitted by our office — funds are released in stages, so you're never paying for work that hasn't been done.
FAQ
Build questions, answered
Custom builds in NWA typically run $175–$280 per square foot for the structure, depending on finish level and complexity. A 2,500 sq ft home is roughly $440,000–$700,000 to construct, plus the lot. I provide line-item budgets — not vague per-square-foot estimates — so you know exactly what you're paying for before signing.
Plan on 12–18 months total: 2–3 months for lot search and design, 1–2 months for permitting, and 8–12 months of construction. Weather and supply chain can shift the schedule — I build contingency into every timeline and communicate proactively when anything changes.
Absolutely — this is the ideal place to start. Because I'm a licensed Arkansas REALTOR® and a licensed general contractor, I can help you find and evaluate land, negotiate the purchase, and confirm the lot will actually accommodate the home you want before you close.
Utilities (city sewer vs. septic has a real cost impact), flood zone status, soil and topography (Ozark terrain often needs site work), HOA and deed restrictions, setbacks by city/county jurisdiction, and orientation for light and views. I evaluate all of these before you make an offer.
No. As a licensed Arkansas real estate agent I can represent you in the lot transaction, which simplifies the process and ensures the land and the home work together. I disclose my dual role in writing per Arkansas law.
Most clients use a construction-to-permanent (one-time close) loan: a single loan covers the build phase with interest-only draws, then automatically converts to a 30-year mortgage at completion. You only pay interest on what's been drawn. I work with your lender throughout the draw process and submit draw requests on your behalf.
Any change to the original scope is a written change order, priced and signed before work proceeds — no surprises. Changes after concrete is poured or framing is up cost more, so I push to lock all selections in the design phase.
A 1-year workmanship warranty on labor and materials from the date of closing. Many subcontractor and manufacturer warranties (roofing, HVAC, windows, appliances) extend 5–25 years and transfer to you. I carry general liability and workers' comp throughout the build, and I'm a phone call away after you move in.
Ready to find your lot and break ground?
The best time to start is before you've found a lot. Let's talk about what's possible in your budget and timeline.
Schedule a Free Build Consultation