Recs for "affordable" custom built homes in Austin? (Lakeway: custom home, luxury)

[emeraldcitymer]

My husband and I are seriously considering building a house on a lot in the austin metro area. We are looking at lots in the LTSD area. Before doing so, I want to make sure we aren't putting ourselves in a situation where we could not affordably build a custom home on a lot we purchased. We are in the early stages right now so I would love recs of builders to get in touch with.

We would be willing to pick an existing floor plan that has been done before to cut down on costs, so it's not truly a custom built. We are NOT looking to build a million + luxury home. We would like to stay under 150 a square foot for the house. So can this be done? If you've done it, who was your builder and what did you spend per square foot? Please don't price in the lot because that will cause a lot of fluctuations.

Also- did you have issues building a pool? I don't see any new homes with pools and I've heard that there are laws surrounding this due to the drought in this area.

[hts]

yes, you can build a nice custom home in LTISD for $150/sq ft exclusive of lot.

[emeraldcitymer]

thanks HTS- any recs of builders?
I saw from a previous thread you did a custom home. Did you have any issues getting pool permits in the lake travis area?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by emeraldcitymer

We would be willing to pick an existing floor plan that has been done before to cut down on costs, so it's not truly a custom built. We are NOT looking to build a million + luxury home. We would like to stay under 150 a square foot for the house.

Were I you, I'd look first at the "build on your lot" divisions of Drees and David Weekly. They have oceans of plans, and will change things to get exactly what you want - including finishes.

I cannot imagine you can't stay under $150/sq. ft., exclusive of lot. But either can tell you quickly if that is do-able.

I'd start there. If you aren't happy, you can go down the "custom" route, with a solid baisis for comparison.

Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.

[hts]

Although I initially looked at building in LTISD, we ended up building in Dripping instead.

I actually looked into BOYL with both Weekly and Drees and quickly decided otherwise, as I wanted a truly custom floorplan (I first made it up on a napkin, lol).

PM me and I can send you some pix of my place as well as our custom builder, as he builds in both Lakeway and Dripping.

Best of luck.

[Aquitaine]

+1 for David Weekly unless your plans are sufficiently custom that you can't leverage the hundreds of plans they have (or that you could send them). Their process is excellent.

I don't doubt you can get a better 100% custom experience elsewhere, but it'll probably up the costs. DW does it often enough that their costs are lower, but you'll know after talking to them if they're right for you.

[HappyTexan]

There's also Tilson Homes.

I used them. Took one of their plans and modified it.

Tilson Homes - Custom Homebuilder in Texas