In partnership with Studio 727 Design, our design-build process is a comprehensive and collaborative approach to creating truly custom homes. We work closely with our clients to understand their architectural vision, design intent, desired scale, and budget priorities. The primary stages of our design-build projects include site due diligence, land planning, architectural design, budgeting, and finally construction.
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A boundary survey with topography helps us identify the buildable area of the property. These detailed surveys allow us to accurately establish property setback lines and water edge boundaries, defining the site's buildable footprint. The topography data also aids in designing the property to comply with current FEMA Flood Zone Mapping, ensuring that your new residence is planned and constructed well above any flood plain risks. This reduces the risk of flood-related damage and provides our homeowners peace of mind in extreme weather events.
The Geo-Technological Report is essential for determining the appropriate foundation type for your new home. Florida's geology is primarily composed of a limestone and coral shelf, much of which has been filled with sand and wetlands over the ages. As a result, much of the subsurface soil consists of loose, non-compacting organic matter, clay and sediment, which can cause excessive settling of heavy structures over time if they are not properly evaluated and engineered. Understanding the soil composition of your specific site allows the structural engineer to design a foundation that effectively supports the load of your new home ensuring long-term stability and minimizing the risks of settling over time.
In partnership with Studio 727 Design, our team will work closely with you through a structured discovery process. We will review a series of targeted questions to understand your architectural vision and design intent, anticipated use of the residence, desired scale and massing, budget parameters, and the key features to be incorporated into your custom homes design.
Upon completion of the architectural discovery process, we will begin development of the general site plan in compliance with all applicable local zoning requirements and state building codes. This conceptual design phase also includes overlaying schematic floor plans onto the site survey, developing preliminary building wall sections, and preparing 2D exterior elevations for the proposed residence.
Once the architectural concept is finalized, we transition into a detailed construction cost modeling phase. This step is critical in aligning design intent with real-world construction costs, ensuring there are no surprises as the project moves forward. Our team leverages historical cost data, current market pricing, and trade-specific input to build a realistic and transparent budget tailored to your project.
Because every custom home is truly unique, project costs can vary widely based on architectural complexity, structural engineering requirements, material selections, and the level of finish detail. Rather than relying on generic cost-per-square-foot assumptions, we focus on understanding how each design decision impacts the overall investment and long-term value of the home. Throughout this process, we collaborate closely with you to refine the scope of work, establish clear allowances, and explore options that maintain design integrity while respecting budget parameters. This proactive approach allows informed decisions to be made early, reducing the likelihood of costly revisions later in the project.
For clients seeking additional context, our blogs provides in-depth guidance on cost per-square-foot budgets, allowances on finishes, and the variables that most influence custom home pricing. These resources are designed to educate and empower you, setting the foundation for a confident, well-executed build.
Once complete, we will review the detailed construction estimate and associated allowances with you to confirm the proposed design aligns with your financial goals and overall priorities. This collaborative review provides clear visibility into cost allocation and illustrates how specific architectural decisions and finish selections impact the overall budget. Guided by what matters most to you, we will make strategic adjustments to finish selections, allowance values, or architectural design documents to achieve the appropriate balance between design intent, performance, and investment. This interactive refinement process ensures the scope, budget, and expectations are fully aligned before advancing into the next phase of development.
Once the conceptual design plans and preliminary budget have been reviewed and approved, we will proceed with the preparation and execution of the full construction documentation package, including architectural, structural engineering, and mechanical design documents, along with the Architectural Services Agreement governing the full life cycle of the project.
Should you elect to proceed with construction through Shell Basix, a credit equal to 25% of the total architectural design fees incurred with Studio 727 Design will be applied toward your construction contract.
Upon finalization and approval of the construction documents, we will refine the detailed project specifications and finalize the construction budget. All value engineering efforts will have been completed at this stage, and no significant cost variables are to be anticipated. With mutual agreement on scope, pricing, and contract terms, the construction contract will be executed, authorizing the project to proceed into the permitting and construction phases.
Permitting in West-Central Florida is a multi-step process that includes plan submission, jurisdictional review, comment response, resubmission, and ongoing coordination with the applicable authority having jurisdiction. This permitting effort can proceed concurrently with final construction budgeting and contract execution in order to accelerate the overall project start date. To further streamline the timeline, we will engage a private plan reviewer, which typically reduces the permitting duration by approximately one month. Assuming no zoning variances or major revisions are required, the permitting process generally takes approximately two to three months from initial submission to permit issuance.
Once the building permit is issued, construction on your new home can begin immediately. The overall construction timeline will be carefully established based on the size of the home, architectural complexity, structural systems, and the level of customization and finish detail selected. From the outset, our team develops a comprehensive construction schedule that clearly defines milestones, sequencing, and critical path items—setting expectations and maintaining momentum throughout the build.
During construction, transparency and communication are central to our process. You will receive consistent visibility into your project through our mobile app project management platform. This includes live construction schedules, scope completion notifications, detailed weekly project logs, and photo documentation that captures progress at each stage of construction. Weekly progress summaries provide a clear snapshot of where the project stands, what has been completed, and what is upcoming. This system allows you to stay fully informed without the need for constant site visits, phone calls, or emails.
Whether you are local or traveling, you can confidently track your home’s progress from anywhere in the world, knowing that the project is being actively managed, documented, and executed to the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver not only an exceptional home, but a construction experience defined by clarity, transparency, accountability, and peace of mind.
