OUR PROCESS
From First Conversation to Front Door
Eight clear steps, one point of contact, and no surprises. Here’s how a Brownstone Living home comes together.
HOW WE WORK
Building a home shouldn't feel like a mystery.
Whether you’re buying one of our move-in-ready homes or building a custom home on your lot, you’ll know what’s happening, who’s doing it, and what comes next. Every Brownstone Living project follows the same eight steps below, managed by a team with more than 30 years of construction experience.
Our clients also get access to a private online portal where they can see schedules, photos, selections and progress updates from any device.
01
WEEKS 1–2
Consultation & Site Review
We start with a conversation about what you want in a home — size, style, budget and timing. For a build-on-your-lot project we walk the site, review the survey and confirm what the lot allows. For a spec home, we help you match your wish list to what’s in our pipeline.
You’ll get: a clear picture of scope, budget range and schedule before anything is signed.
02
WEEKS 2–8
Design, Plans & Pricing
Our architect and design team turn the vision into drawings. You review floor plans and elevations, make changes, and sign off. We then price the full scope — structure, finishes, site work and allowances — into a detailed budget, so the number you see is the number you build to.
You’ll get: approved architectural plans and a line-item budget.
03
WEEKS 6–12
Selections, Permits & Financing
While the City of Houston reviews permits, you choose finishes — cabinets, countertops, tile, flooring, fixtures and paint — with guidance from our design team and preferred vendors. If you need a construction or purchase loan, our preferred lender can have financing lined up before we break ground.
You’ll get: a locked selections book, approved permits and a construction schedule.
04
MONTHS 3–4
Site Work & Foundation
Demolition of any existing structure, grading, utilities and form work. Our engineer of record designs every foundation for Houston’s soil, and each pour is inspected before we move on.
You’ll see: the footprint of your home for the first time.
05
MONTHS 4–6
Framing & Dry-In
The structure goes up — floors, walls and roof — and the home gets its shape. Roofing, windows, exterior doors and weather barrier follow so the house is sealed from the elements. This is the stage where you can walk the rooms and feel the space.
You’ll see: a framed, dried-in home ready for mechanicals.
06
MONTHS 6–8
Mechanicals, Insulation & Drywall
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC are roughed in and inspected before the walls close. Then insulation, drywall, and the first coat of paint. We hold a pre-drywall walkthrough with you so outlet, lighting and low-voltage locations are exactly where you want them.
You’ll see: finished walls — the home starts to look like a home.
07
MONTHS 8–10
Finishes & Trim-Out
Cabinets, countertops, tile, hardwood floors, interior doors, trim, plumbing and light fixtures, hardware and final paint. This is where your selections come to life, and where our attention to detail shows.
You’ll see: the finished interior, room by room.
08
FINAL WEEKS
Inspections, Walkthrough & Closing
Final city inspections, our own punch-list review, and a professional clean. We walk the home with you, show you how everything works, and hand over your warranty documents and trade contact list. Then it’s closing day and keys in hand.
You’ll get: a move-in-ready home backed by a 10-year structural warranty.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
The same standards on every build.
One point of contact
A project manager who knows your home and answers your questions.
Online client portal
Schedule, photos, selections and documents in one place, any time.
Engineered foundations
Every foundation designed by a structural engineer for Houston soil.
10-year warranty
1-2-10 structural warranty plus a trade contact list for emergencies.
QUESTIONS?
How long does it take? What does it cost? Can I make changes mid-build?
We answer the questions we hear most on our FAQ page — and anything else in a quick call.