Custom Home Design
Western Slope Colorado
Your Home. Your Land.
Designed for Both.
Not a spec model. Not a catalog floor plan with minor tweaks. A home designed around your specific lot, your lifestyle, and your budget — by a drafter who knows this terrain.
4-8
Weeks Timeline
100%
Custom to your lot
Western Slope
Served
Permit-Ready
Complete Drawing Set
What this service is
Built for Your Land, Not the Catalog
Custom home design is for people who want to build from scratch — and who want a home that couldn't have been designed for any other lot in the country. That's not marketing language. It's how we actually approach the work.
Before we draw a single wall, we study your land. Lot orientation, prevailing views, sun angles across seasons, drainage patterns, access, wildfire setbacks, soil type — all of it shapes the design before a floor plan takes shape.
The result is a complete construction document set tailored to your project. Floor plans your contractor can build from. Elevations your building department can review. Details that actually match the conditions on your site.
— What You'll Receive
✓ Site plan & lot orientation study
✓ Floor plans (all levels)
✓ Exterior elevations (all four sides)
✓ Building sections & wall details
✓ Roof plan & framing notes
✓ Window & door schedules
✓ Code compliance documentation
✓ Permit-ready PDF & editable files
— Who This Is For
Homeowners ready to build on empty lots, rural acreage, mountain properties, or any site where a stock plan won't work — and where getting it right the first time matters more than getting it cheap.
What Goes Into a Custom Home Design
Every Element, Purpose-Built
The Process
From First Conversation to Permitted Plans
A clear sequence with no surprises. Here's exactly what happens from your first call to the day your contractor breaks ground.
01
Discovery Call
We learn about your lot, your vision, your budget range, and your timeline. You don't need drawings — just your ideas and your land info.
Free · 20–30 minutes
02
Site Review & Proposal
We review your lot conditions and provide a clear, itemized proposal. No surprises, no vague estimates — you know what you're getting before you commit.
1–2 business days
03
Schematic Design
Rough floor plan options and massing sketches. We present options, you provide direction. Big changes happen here, not after full drawings are produced.
1–2 weeks
04
Design Development
The approved schematic gets refined. Room sizes lock in, exterior character is defined, and structural elements are coordinated.
1–2 weeks
05
Construction Documents
Full permit-ready drawing set. Every sheet your county and your contractor need to build your home — produced with precision.
2–3 weeks
06
Permit Support & Build
We handle building department comments and stay available for contractor questions during the build. Your project doesn't end when we send the files.
Ongoing
— Before Your Call
Helpful to have — but not required:
→ Lot survey or dimensions
→ Photos of the site
→ Bedroom/bathroom wish list
→ Must-haves & deal-breakers
→ Rough square footage target
→ General budget range
Western Slope Expertise
Your County. Your Terrain. We Know Both.
Building on the Western Slope isn't like building in a Denver suburb. Local knowledge isn't a nice-to-have — it affects your budget, your timeline, and whether your plans pass on the first review.
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we hear most from homeowners and builders on the Western Slope.
Do I need an architect, or is a drafter enough for my custom home?
For most single-family homes in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties, Colorado does not require a licensed architect to stamp residential plans. An experienced architectural drafter produces the same permit-ready construction documents at a significantly lower cost. We recommend verifying with your specific county building department — and we're happy to help you do that.
How involved do I need to be in the design process?
As involved as you want to be. Some clients come in with detailed vision boards and want to be in every decision. Others give us a wish list and trust us to present options. We work both ways. What matters is that we hear the right information at the right time — particularly during schematic design when changes are easy and inexpensive.
Can you work with my builder or contractor directly?
Absolutely. Many of our clients already have a builder selected before they come to us. We're used to coordinating with contractors during both the design phase (to stay within budget and constructability) and during the build itself (to answer field questions and RFIs promptly).
What if I want to make changes after the drawings are started?
Changes during schematic design are easy and low-cost — that's exactly the right time to explore options. Changes after construction documents are started take more time and may affect cost. We communicate clearly about where we are in the process so you can make informed decisions before changes become expensive.
Do your plans include structural engineering?
Our plans include structural notes and details appropriate for typical residential construction. If your project has unusual structural conditions — complex spans, steep hillside sites, or specific county requirements for stamped engineering — we'll tell you early and can refer you to a qualified structural engineer to coordinate with our drawings.
Ready to Build?
Let's Talk About Your Project
Whether you're still in the dreaming stage or ready to break ground in the spring — the best first step is a conversation. We respond within one business day.