Building a custom home is an exciting opportunity to create a space that reflects your lifestyle and personal aesthetic. But as an interior designer, I’ve seen time and again how the process of building a dream home can become riddled with stress and headaches for everyone involved, and it usually goes back to the fact that the pre-construction phase was overlooked or rushed. This critical stage is where the foundation for a successful project is laid, and the most seamless builds are those where thoughtful planning happens long before the first shovel hits the ground.
The pre-construction phase is all about intentional planning before any physical work begins. During this stage, the homeowner collaborates closely with the architect, builder, and interior designer to develop floor plans, finalize the layout, and make key decisions about materials, finishes, and future furnishings. It’s also when the team reviews the budget, establishes a construction timeline, and ensures the design aligns with the homeowner’s lifestyle and long-term goals. This collaborative process helps identify potential challenges early on, preventing costly changes or delays later. Pre-construction is where the vision comes to life on paper—and getting it right here sets the stage for a smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more successful build.
This is why it’s so important to build your team early. Ideally, the architect, builder, and interior designer are involved from the beginning to ensure the client’s vision is clearly understood and that everyone is aligned. In some cases, the homeowner begins the process with the architect and designer before selecting a builder, and I always encourage clients to interview multiple builders to find the best fit. Even when a builder isn’t involved in the early planning stages, having a clear set of well-thought-out plans and a documented design package when requesting bids helps ensure you’re comparing apples to apples.
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and want to move quickly, but taking the time to plan intentionally from the start will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. A well-orchestrated build begins long before construction. And that’s where the real magic happens.
