Clarity Builds Confidence

Why Our Process Matters

Too often, homeowners begin their custom home journey with incomplete information. They buy land without knowing its true challenges. They hire draftsmen who design plans thousands of dollars beyond their budget. They meet with builders before securing a lender or understanding real costs.

This leads to delays, redesigns, and unnecessary stress.

Our process fixes that.

At Tristar, we guide you through the critical early decisions before you ever break ground. We help you understand what your land can support, how design choices impact cost, what a realistic budget looks like, and how to begin with financial clarity.

It’s the difference between guessing and knowing.

The Tristar Process at a Glance

1. Discovery Call
   
2. Site & Land Guidance
   
3. Plans & Design Direction
   
4. Transparent Estimating
   
5. The Handoff: Pre-Construction Engagement
   
6. Construction, Walkthrough & Move-In

Each step is designed to protect your investment and ensure a smooth, well-managed experience from day one.

Step 1: Discovery Call

Every project begins with a conversation. On Zoom, we explore:

• your vision and lifestyle
• your budget comfort zone
• whether you already own land
• timeline expectations
• architectural plans or inspirations
• lender status
• overall project fit

This call helps us determine if we’re the right builder for your goals. And if you aren’t lender-ready yet, we’ll connect you with trusted partners who can help you prepare.

It’s simple, relaxed, and designed to get you moving in the right direction.

Step 2: Site & Land Guidance

Land is one of the biggest variables in homebuilding, and the wrong piece of property can derail a project. We provide expert guidance early so you know exactly what you’re working with.

Depending on your needs, site evaluations may include a small fee, which is credited to your project if we continue together.



During this step, we assess:

• feasibility and site conditions
• slope and grading considerations
• utility access
• soil or foundation concerns
• potential cost implications

Our goal is to ensure your land matches your vision and your budget before you commit.

Step 3: Plans & Design Direction

Clients are welcome to bring their own plans, modify an existing design, or let us guide them toward architects and draftsmen we trust.

This step is critical. Many people unknowingly receive plans that are far beyond their target budget. In these cases, we help reset expectations, refine the plan, and steer you toward options that fit your lifestyle and financial goals.

We look at:

• plan efficiency
• square footage impact
• layout functionality
• design choices that increase cost
• opportunities to save without sacrificing quality

This is where your true vision starts to take shape, rooted in realism and smart design.

Step 4: Transparent Estimating

Once we have your plan and site details, we provide two paths for estimating:

High-Level Estimate (Complimentary)

A broad pricing range based on your plans and general selections. This gives you an early sense of feasibility.

Detailed Construction Estimate (Fee-Based)

A full, line-item breakdown of materials, allowances, finishes, labor, and specifications. This is the most accurate way to understand what your home will cost, and it becomes the foundation for lending, budgeting, and planning.

We believe clarity should come before commitment. This stage gives you both.

Step 5: The Tristar Handoff

From Vision to Verified Plan

Before any home is built, every successful project begins with clarity. At Tristar Custom Homes, we call this moment The Handoff.

The Handoff is the formal transition from your initial conversations with us into our Paid Pre-Construction Engagement: the stage where design ideas, inspiration photos, and land considerations are translated into accurate numbers, verified site realities, and a build-ready plan.

It’s where assumptions become answers.

Why The Handoff Matters

Building a custom home without full clarity can lead to:

• budget surprises
• Redesigns
• lender delays
• costly mistakes

The Handoff is designed to protect your investment and give you visibility into real project conditions before construction begins.

During this phase, we evaluate:

• site feasibility
• design efficiency
• budget alignment
• realistic finishes and allowances
• timeline expectations

At the end, you don’t have rough estimates — you have a detailed roadmap.

Our Promise During The Handoff

This stage ensures that before you build:

• you know what your home will cost
• you understand site realities
• you’re aligned with your lender
• you’ve explored design value options
• you begin with confidence

When you move into construction with Tristar, you’re not guessing; you’re informed, prepared, and positioned for success.

Clarity first. Build second.
That’s the Tristar way.

What You Receive During Pre-Construction

Our deliverables include:

• Site Evaluation Report
• Detailed Itemized Estimate
• Allowances & Selections Strategy
• Budget Protection Analysis
• Lender-Ready Specifications Package
• Construction Timeline Framework
• Written Next-Step Roadmap

These documents give you confidence before you commit and prepare your lender with precision.

Step 6: Construction, Walkthrough & Move-In

Once your plan is verified and your budget is confirmed, we begin construction with hands-on involvement and boutique-level attention.

As a selective builder, we limit the number of homes we take on so we can remain:

• Communicative
• Detail-focused
• present on-site
• proactive with scheduling
• consistent with craftsmanship

When your home is complete, we walk it together, address punchout items, and prepare for closing so move-in day feels seamless and satisfying.

Your home is built with intention from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.