At Kennedy Custom Homes, we believe building a custom home should feel clear, collaborative, and exciting—not confusing or stressful. Our proven, end-to-end design–build process keeps your project on schedule, on budget, and aligned with your vision at every step. And as we expand our services to Evergreen, Lakewood, and surrounding Colorado communities, homeowners there can expect the same craftsmanship, communication, and care that have made us a trusted name in Black Hawk.

Why a True Design–Build Approach Matters

Most construction frustrations come from miscommunication between architects, builders, and engineers—or scope drift that inflates budgets midstream. Our design–build model eliminates that risk by keeping your entire project under one accountable team.

What that means for you:

  • Single-source accountability: One team, one contract, one dedicated point of contact.
  • Budget alignment from Day 1: We design with real construction costs in mind—not guesses.
  • Faster timelines: Coordinated design, permitting, and construction planning keep momentum.
  • No surprises: Transparent pricing, allowances, schedules, and communication.

Step 1 — Discovery Call & Vision Consultation

Every great home starts with a conversation. In our first call or meeting, we’ll discuss:

  • Your lifestyle needs: bedrooms, outdoor spaces, work-from-home areas, multigenerational living, etc.
  • Budget comfort zone & financing stage.
  • Desired architectural style: mountain modern, rustic-luxe, contemporary, craftsman, and more.
  • Timeline expectations and any hard deadlines (e.g., moving out of your current home, seasonal access to a mountain lot).
  • Your land (if you have it) or whether you’d like help evaluating/choosing a lot.

Pro tip: Bring inspiration photos, a Pinterest board, or even a quick sketch. The more we see your style, the faster we can translate it into a buildable plan.

Step 2 — Site Evaluation & Feasibility (Especially Critical in Mountain & Foothill Lots)

Colorado’s diverse terrain means no two sites are alike. Before we lock in design or budget, we analyze your lot to identify constraints and opportunities.

We evaluate:

  • Topography & soils: to plan foundations, drainage, and retaining structures
  • Access & logistics: driveway slope, winter access, staging areas for materials
  • Utilities & infrastructure: well, septic, municipal connections, and trenching needs
  • Local requirements: wildfire mitigation/defensible space, snow load, wind exposure, HOA/ARC guidelines
  • Environmental factors: sun exposure, prevailing winds, and view corridors (to maximize passive performance and scenery)

The outcome is a feasibility report with preliminary budget ranges and timeline projections, so you know exactly what to expect before moving forward.

Step 3 — Concept Design + Budget Alignment

Here’s where your vision begins to take shape. We’ll present schematic floor plans and elevations, then iterate quickly to align beauty, function, and cost.

What happens in this phase:

  • Early value engineering to ensure your dream design fits your target budget.
  • High-level structural considerations to avoid redesigns later.
  • Clear budget alignment—we don’t wait until pricing day to talk numbers.

Step 4 — Design Development, Selections & Fixed-Pricing Transparency

Once we agree on the concept, we move into design development, where your home’s details are refined and priced with precision.

You’ll work closely with our design team to:

  • Finalize materials & finishes (flooring, tile, windows, cabinetry, lighting, fixtures).
  • Select energy-efficient systems (HVAC, insulation, windows).
  • Decide on custom features like smart home tech, spa-like bathrooms, chef’s kitchens, and outdoor living elements.

Allowances vs. Fixed Pricing—What’s the difference?

  • Allowances are flexible budget placeholders for yet-to-be-chosen items (e.g., appliances).
  • Fixed pricing locks in the cost of clearly defined scopes (e.g., framing, roofing).
  • We’ll outline both in a detailed, transparent proposal so there are no surprises during construction.

Step 5 — Permitting & Pre-Construction

From Black Hawk to Lakewood to Evergreen, each municipality and county has unique building codes, wildfire regulations, energy requirements, and review timelines. We’ll handle it all:

  • Permit drawings and engineering
  • Submittals to city/county/HUD or HOA/ARC
  • Energy code compliance & structural certification
  • Final construction schedule, logistics plan, and mobilization

You’ll know exactly when we’re breaking ground and how long each major phase will take.

Step 6 — Build Phase: From Groundbreaking to Finishes

With permits in hand, we mobilize and get to work. Our build process is highly structured and features rigorous quality checkpoints:

  1. Site prep & foundation
  2. Framing & roofing
  3. Rough-ins (MEP): mechanical, electrical, plumbing
  4. Insulation & drywall
  5. Exterior finishes & windows
  6. Interior trims, cabinetry, tile & flooring
  7. Fixtures, paint & final touches

We plan proactively for Colorado’s weather, snow loads, and altitude challenges, keeping your schedule intact.

Communication You Can Count On: Client Portal, Weekly Updates & Photo Reports

Transparency isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a system. Throughout your build you’ll receive:

  • Weekly progress updates with photos and milestone summaries
  • Access to a client portal for schedules, selections, approvals, and documents
  • Quick responses from your dedicated project manager

You’ll always know where your home stands—no radio silence, ever.

Step 7 — Walkthroughs, Punch List & Handoff

As we approach completion, we’ll conduct:

  • A pre-completion walkthrough to identify and correct any minor issues (the “punch list”)
  • A thorough homeowner orientation to show you how every system works
  • Final inspections to ensure everything meets or exceeds standards

When we hand you the keys, your home is truly move-in ready.

Step 8 — Warranty & Post-Occupancy Care

Our relationship doesn’t end on move-in day. Kennedy Custom Homes stands behind our work with a comprehensive warranty and responsive service team. If you ever need assistance, we’re just a call away.

Expanding to Evergreen, Lakewood & Beyond

As we grow beyond Black Hawk, we’re excited to bring our design–build expertise to homeowners in Evergreen, Lakewood, and neighboring Colorado communities.

What that means for you:

  • Local code and permitting familiarity
  • Experience with foothill and mountain conditions (slopes, soils, snow, wildfire mitigation)
  • An established process that protects your budget, timeline, and vision
  • The same craftsmanship and communication we’re known for

Whether you’re building a mountain-modern retreat in Evergreen, a contemporary family home in Lakewood, or anything in between, our team is ready to lead the way.

Budget, Timeline & Transparency: How We Deliver On-Time, On-Budget

Here’s how we keep promises most builders only make:

  • Early budget calibration: We never design in a vacuum.
  • Open-book pricing: You see how and why numbers are created.
  • Locked scopes & change-order discipline: Any change is documented, priced, and approved by you—before we build it.
  • Realistic scheduling: Weather, inspections, logistics—we plan for them up front.
  • One accountable team: Fewer handoffs = fewer mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to build a custom home in Colorado?
Timelines vary by scope, site complexity, and municipality. As a general guide, plan 3–6 months for design & permitting and 9–14 months for construction. Mountain and foothill locations may require additional time for engineering and access.

Do you build on my lot, or can you help me find one?
Both. We frequently build on clients’ lots and can also help you evaluate or locate the right property in Black Hawk, Evergreen, Lakewood, and other nearby areas.

What’s the difference between design–build and hiring an architect first?
In a design–build model, your builder and designer are the same team, so design and budget stay aligned from day one. That means fewer surprises, delays, and cost overruns.

How do you keep projects on budget?
We price realistically up front, use allowances strategically, and control scope creep through transparent change-order management.

Can you handle steep, complex, or wildfire-prone lots?
Yes. We routinely work with steep slopes, high snow loads, defensible space requirements, and septic/well systems. Our feasibility step is designed to catch these realities early.

Ready to Start Your Custom Home Journey?

Whether you’re dreaming of a mountain-modern hideaway in Evergreen, a luxury family home in Lakewood, or a tailored residence in Black Hawk, Kennedy Custom Homes is here to make the process straightforward—and the results exceptional.

Let’s talk. Schedule your free discovery call today and find out how we bring your vision to life—on time, on budget, and beautifully built.