OUR BUILDING PROCESS
A Better Custom Home Building Experience
Building a custom home should feel exciting - not overwhelming. At Capricorn Concepts, our process is built around thoughtful planning, Luke’s extensive knowledge as an architecturally educated and experienced builder, transparent pricing, and clear communication from the first conversation through completion.
Every home is different, but our approach remains the same: understand the land, develop a clear vision, plan carefully before construction begins, and maintain close oversight throughout the build.
We intentionally take on a limited number of custom homes at a time, allowing us to stay closely involved and give each home the attention it deserves.
THE PATH TO CONSTRUCTION
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Every home begins with a conversation.
We'll talk about your vision, how you want to live, the property you're building on or considering, your priorities, timeline, and anticipated investment.
Some clients come to us with land and completed plans. Others come with little more than an idea. Wherever you are in the process, our first step is understanding what you want to create and determining the best path forward.
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In the Texas Hill Country, the land is an important part of the home.
Slope, limestone, drainage, access, utilities, septic requirements, views, and orientation can all influence where and how a home should be built.
Before plans progress too far, we evaluate the property with these conditions in mind so the home can be planned around the opportunities and constraints of the site.
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Whether you're beginning with a blank page, an existing floor plan, or completed architectural drawings, we help move the home toward a design that works for your property, lifestyle, budget, and vision.
For clients beginning early in the process, we work together to develop the overall direction of the home, including layout, functionality, architectural character, materials, and finishes. We then coordinate with drafting, engineering, and other design professionals needed to develop construction-ready plans.
If you already have an architect or designer, we're equally comfortable joining the team and collaborating throughout the process.
Our involvement during planning also allows construction considerations and budget to remain part of the conversation as the home develops.
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Once the plans and overall direction of the home are established, we move into detailed preconstruction.
During this phase, we develop the construction scope and budget, coordinate trade pricing, review materials and selections, address engineering and permitting requirements, and establish the construction schedule.
This is also where we work through important details so they don’t become expensive changes in the field after construction begins.
Our goal is to enter construction with a clear understanding of what is being built, what is included, and how the build will move forward.
Initial Consultation → Complimentary Preliminary Estimate → Preconstruction Services → Detailed Construction Proposal → Construction Contract
INITIAL CONSULTATION/PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE - COMPLIMENTARY
At the initial consultation, we start with a conversation about your project, property, goals, budget, timeline and overall vision. We review the information available and provide a preliminary estimated construction cost so you can determine whether the project aligns with your anticipated investment.
PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES - 1%
Ready to move forward? We enter into a Preconstruction Services Agreement (PSA) and begin detailed project development, selections, estimating and trade pricing. The fee is 1% of the preliminary project estimate and is credited toward your Construction Contract when executed within 30 days of the Detailed Construction Proposal.
DETAILED CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL
We bring the scope, selections, allowances and detailed pricing together into your Detailed Construction Proposal.
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
If you choose to move forward with the Detailed Construction Proposal, we prepare the Custom Build Construction Contract. Once executed, Capricorn Concepts officially becomes your builder and we begin preparing for construction.
05 | Your Client Portal
Your home. Your information. One place.
Before construction begins, Capricorn Concepts clients receive access to a dedicated online client portal designed to keep their build organized, transparent, and accessible throughout construction.
Clients can follow progress through weekly construction logs, access important documents and updates, and stay connected to what’s happening on their home/project, even when they can’t be on site.
The portal also provides real-time budget visibility, allowing clients to track estimated and actual costs by category as the build progresses. This gives homeowners a clear picture of where their investment stands, helps eliminate surprises and provides full transparency into their home’s progress and financials from start to finish.
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Once plans, permitting, preconstruction, and scheduling are complete, construction begins.
As Principal Builder, Luke leads the construction of every Capricorn Concepts home. He coordinates trade partners, materials, inspections, scheduling, and the sequence of work while maintaining oversight of workmanship and quality throughout the build.
His more than 20 years of hands-on construction experience provide an important advantage in this role. Having performed much of the work he now oversees, Luke understands how the individual systems of a home should come together and what quality execution should look like in the field.
Throughout construction, we remain in close communication with our clients while progress and important information are documented through the client portal.
The goal isn't simply to keep construction moving. It's to make sure the home is being built correctly, thoughtfully, and in accordance with the vision established during planning.
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As construction nears completion, we conduct a detailed review of the home and address remaining punch-list items before the final client walkthrough.
Together, we'll walk the completed home, review its features and systems, and make sure you're comfortable with the details before move-in.
It's the final step in turning months of planning and construction into something much more personal: your home.
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Capricorn Concepts remains available after completion for questions and warranty support related to your home. Clients can continue accessing important home information through their portal, creating an organized record that extends beyond construction.
We provide a one-year workmanship warranty on contractor-supplied and installed items, with manufacturer warranties applying where applicable.
