A Look at Our Pre-Production Process

Building a new home can be a daunting process. There are a lot of steps involved, decisions to be made, and deadlines to meet. 

The process doesn’t have to be a frustrating one, however. 

The Curate family brings both the knowledge and the creativity needed to build your dream home, and the design process is where that dream starts becoming a reality. 

BEFORE THE BUILD

The pre-production phase bridges the gap between your vision and the beginning of construction. 

Once you’re ready to move forward with a build, we will gather your preferences for the home’s layout, style, and key features, ensuring that your vision is clearly communicated to the design team. Since permitting and community architectural reviews are often required, we will stay on top of those timelines and work to prevent delays. We work some flexibility into our schedules, but If any dates need to be changed, you’ll be the first to know.    

“Construction is a complex industry and it's always good to plan for the unexpected,” says Kelly Perkins, who leads pre-production coordination and client relations for Curate.

“We've handled pretty much any unexpected scenario you can imagine, including a pandemic and a supply chain shortage.” Kelly says. “There are always questions with every build: Will there be colder days than we anticipated? Will there be delays during architectural review? Will there be a shortage of staff at the city making it longer to review permits? We know things can come up, so we build in a little cushion with our process. Customers appreciate that, especially when we explain it up front.”

Curate prioritizes transparency so that you always feel in control of the process. 

To keep your build on track, Kelly will provide you with a Gantt chart that outlines each phase of the process so you’ll always know what’s coming next. The chart, which acts like a class syllabus, is a visual timeline of what decisions are due from you and when — like choosing windows, flooring, fixtures, materials, etc. — as well as when you can expect aspects of the build to be completed. Keeping all these requests and tasks in order and on schedule is crucial, as streamlined builds — where customers select from one of Curate’s floor plans and our recommended finishes — typically take 10 to 12 months, while fully custom builds can range from 18 to 24 months.

DESIGNING YOUR DREAM HOME

Next, we move on to the design phase.

This is where your dream home takes shape, and our team is there to make the process enjoyable and stress-free.

During this phase — which typically takes 3 to 6 months, with most clients finishing in about 4.5 months — Kelly and the design team will walk you step-by-step through every decision. This structured process allows you to explore ideas, request changes, and perfect your vision. 

To keep the process simple, we break it into logical phases. You’ll make big decisions like floor plan layouts and exterior colors first. Later, you’ll move on to more detailed choices, like light fixtures and cabinet hardware. By following this step-by-step process, you’ll avoid decision fatigue and ensure everything fits together perfectly.  

You’ll also review two plan drafts before finalizing the design. While you review each draft, we will submit plans for community and permit review, so you’re not waiting for approvals after the design is done. By running these steps in parallel, we help you avoid unnecessary delays.  

While we understand that you might have a very clear vision for your home, we also understand that you may have trouble narrowing down your choices.

To make design decisions easier, we use mood boards to showcase design ideas — like color palettes, finishes, and material samples — so you can visualize your choices before they’re finalized. Seeing how countertops, cabinets, and flooring work together can help you feel more confident in your selections. Our design team will provide you with guides, inspiration materials, and checklists to prepare you for each decision. 

BREAKING GROUND

Once the design phase is complete, your project transitions to the production team, who will oversee construction. By this point, all major decisions are finalized, and permits are in place. 

Thanks to Curate’s structured process, construction can move forward smoothly, without costly changes or delays. 

Your dream home is one step closer to reality, and our team remains dedicated to keeping your build on track, on budget, and aligned with your original vision.  

“Designing and building a home doesn't have to be a complicated process,” says Kelly. “Whether you have a vision in mind or need guidance to bring your ideas to life, our team of experts are here to assist you every step of the way, from our very first meeting to move-in day — and beyond.”

Are you considering a new build? Contact us today for a free consultation.