Building or renovating a luxury home is a big decision, and you should know exactly what to expect before we ever break ground. This page walks you through every step, from the first phone call to the day you get your keys, along with what you receive at each stage and how long it typically takes. Every step is built around one idea: a luxury home engineered for Houston’s hurricanes, heavy rain, heat and humidity. Crafted to Endure.
Our Process at a Glance
| Step | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Discovery Call | We learn what you want to build, your timeline and budget range | Within a few days of reaching out |
| 2. Site Visit & Feasibility | Lot, flood zone, drainage and existing-home review | 1–2 weeks |
| 3. Design & Engineering | Plans, structural, drainage and mechanical design | 1–2 months (renovation) · 2–6 months (new home) |
| 4. Price Certainty Budget | Line-by-line budget before any construction | 2–4 weeks |
| 5. Agreement & Permitting | Contract, city permits, HOA and deed-restriction approvals | 1–3 months, depending on the city |
| 6. Construction | Site work through finishes, with regular updates | 3–9 months (renovation) · 9–14 months (new home) |
| 7. Quality Checks | Air sealing, HVAC, waterproofing and drainage verified before walls close | Throughout construction |
| 8. Walkthrough & Move-In | Final walkthrough, systems orientation and keys | 1–2 weeks |
Every project is different; we give you a project-specific schedule after the site visit and keep it updated in your client portal.
What Makes Our Process Different
- Engineer-led from day one. Our founder, Devin, is a mechanical engineer. Structure, drainage, waterproofing and HVAC are designed for your home and the Houston climate, not left to the lowest bid.
- Houston-specific checkpoints. Flood zone, elevation and drainage are reviewed at the first site visit, and air sealing, waterproofing and mechanical systems are checked before a single wall is closed.
- A price you understand before we build. You get a line-by-line budget and walk through it with us, so you know where every dollar goes and which selections drive cost.
- The owner on your job site. We keep a small, selective project roster, so the person you hired is the person overseeing your home.
- You always know where things stand. Schedules, photos, selections and changes live in your JobTread client portal, and you always know who to call.
- A clean, protected job site. We haul off debris, protect the parts of your property we are not working on, and leave the yard the way we found it.
Step by Step
1. Discovery Call
It starts with a conversation. We talk through what you want to build or change, your timeline and your budget range, and whether we’re the right fit. Reach us through the project form on our Contact page or by calling (713) 870-9978.
You receive: A clear sense of whether we are the right fit and what the next steps look like.
Your part: Share your goals, timeline, budget range and any photos or plans you already have.
2. Site Visit & Feasibility
We walk the property with you. For new builds and teardowns we look at the lot, flood zone and elevation, drainage, trees, utilities, setbacks and any deed restrictions or civic association rules. For renovations we look at what’s behind the walls: structure, plumbing, electrical and the existing HVAC. Knowing this up front is how we avoid surprises later.
You receive: A summary of site conditions, flood and drainage considerations, and the key decisions ahead.
Your part: Walk the property with us and tell us how you live in the home today.
3. Design & Engineering
We work with you and your architect (or ours) to turn the vision into plans. This is where Houston-specific decisions get made: how the home is air sealed, how the HVAC and mechanical systems are sized and laid out, and how the building is protected from moisture, heavy rain and storms. Where the design needs it, we bring in structural and drainage engineers.
You receive: Construction-ready plans with the engineering and mechanical design behind them.
Your part: Review design options and make key layout and finish decisions.
4. Price Certainty Budget
Before construction starts, you get a detailed budget broken out line by line: plans and permits, site work, foundation, framing, mechanical systems, finishes and more. We walk through it with you so you understand where every dollar goes and which selections drive cost.
You receive: A line-by-line budget and a clear list of selections and allowances.
Your part: Confirm your selections and priorities so the budget matches the home you want.
5. Agreement & Permitting
Once the plan and budget are set, we sign an agreement and handle permitting with the City of Houston, Bellaire or your local jurisdiction. That includes plan review, resubmittals, drainage and floodplain requirements, and any civic association or deed-restriction approvals.
You receive: A signed agreement, a construction schedule and approved permits.
Your part: Sign off on the agreement; we handle the paperwork with the city and your HOA.
6. Construction
Our team and a hand-selected group of trade partners get to work. We keep the job site clean and organized, protect the areas of your property we’re not working on, and schedule city inspections at each stage. You’ll get regular updates, photos and schedule changes through your JobTread client portal, and you’ll always know who to call.
You receive: Regular progress updates and photos, plus a single point of contact.
Your part: Review updates, make any remaining selections on time, and visit the site with us.
7. Quality Checks
Before we call anything finished, we check the work that matters most in Houston and that you’ll never see once the walls are closed: air sealing, HVAC performance, waterproofing and drainage, along with a detailed punch list of every finish.
You receive: A completed punch list and confidence in what is behind your walls.
Your part: Walk the punch list with us.
8. Final Walkthrough & Move-In
We walk the home together, go over how your systems work and how to maintain them, and hand over your keys. After move-in, we’re still a phone call away.
You receive: Your keys, a systems orientation and your warranty and maintenance information.
Your part: Enjoy your new home.
Where We Build
Select Build is based in Bellaire, and we build custom homes and take on high-end renovations across the Houston area. Every neighborhood comes with its own lots, rules and flood risks, and we plan for them from the first site visit.
Bellaire
Our home base. We know the City of Bellaire permitting and inspection process, and much of Bellaire sits low, so on every new build or teardown we plan slab height, grading and drainage around the flood zone.
Southside Place
A small, established city next to Bellaire and West University with its own permitting. Tight lots mean drainage, setbacks and protecting the neighbors during construction take careful planning.
Memorial & the Villages
Large lots, mature trees and properties near Buffalo Bayou. We plan elevation, drainage and foundations around each lot, work within each Village’s building rules and protect the trees that make these properties special.
River Oaks
Historic homes, large lots and strict deed restrictions. We plan for architectural review early and upgrade the structure, waterproofing and mechanical systems while respecting each home’s original character.
We have also completed projects in Westbury, Meyerland, Oak Forest, Spring Branch and Galveston. Not sure if we work in your area? Just ask.
Common Questions
How long will my project take?
Most renovations take 3–9 months of construction and most new homes 9–14 months, plus design and permitting. You get a project-specific schedule after the site visit.
Do you work with my architect?
Yes. We can work with your architect from the start, or introduce you to architects and designers we trust.
How do you keep the project on budget?
You get a line-by-line budget before construction, and any change is priced and approved by you before the work happens.
How will I know what is happening on my project?
Your JobTread client portal has your schedule, photos, selections and change orders, and you always have a direct line to us.
Ready to Start?
Tell us about your project and we’ll set up your discovery call.