Dueck Builders Process
We are a customer-centered custom home builder, dedicated to creating homes that reflect the people who live in them.
Since our start in 2006, we’ve built more than 40 custom homes — from thoughtfully designed smaller homes in Fort Garry to elegant luxury builds in Charleswood. Throughout every project, we’ve ensured our clients stay fully informed and involved at every stage of the process.
From the very beginning, we’ve believed that building healthy, sustainable homes is not only affordable, but also the right choice for today’s homeowner.
Because clear communication is the foundation of every great working relationship, we’ve outlined our homebuilding process below to show exactly how we turn your vision into reality.
1. Your Introductory Meeting
At our first meeting, we’ll take the time to learn about how you envision living in your home and what kind of partnership you’d like throughout the building process. We’ll get to know each other, walk you through our custom build process, and answer any questions you may have about Dueck Builders or the homes we create.
Please bring any plans, sketches, or ideas you’ve developed — including your thoughts on footprint, square footage, layout, style, function, and finishes. The more detail you can share, the more accurate your initial estimate will be.
Within about a week, we’ll provide a preliminary budget based on your ideas and goals. Alternatively, if you have a target budget in mind, we can start there and help you explore what’s possible within that number.
Your introductory meeting is completely free, with no obligation — just an opportunity to explore ideas and see if we’re the right fit to build your dream home.
2. Concept Design & Budget Planning
After our introductory meeting, we hope you’ll give us the opportunity to bring your vision to life through conceptual drawings. This stage allows you to see your ideas take shape and ensures that design, function, and budget are all aligned before construction begins.
Once we’ve agreed on the conceptual plans, we’ll create a detailed, line-by-line project estimate. Understanding what you want in a home — and how it fits within your budget — is essential for a smooth and successful build.
A custom-designed home should honor your values, reflect your ideas, and meet your family’s unique needs. Investing extra time in the design process ensures your home feels right from the very beginning.
Our design rate is $95 per hour, which includes everything you’ll need: renderings, floor plans, revisions, engineering details, and even a virtual reality walkthrough of your future home. Most clients invest about 1% of their overall budget in this design phase.
Collaborating With Interior Designers
This is also the perfect time to bring an interior designer onto your team. We work with several talented designers and can recommend one whose style and approach complement your project.
Interior design costs vary based on the designer, your preferences, and the level of involvement required. We’ll help you choose the right fit to make the process seamless and enjoyable.
Designing for Sustainability
At this stage, we’ll also review your sustainability goals — discussing what “building green” means for you and your lifestyle. Using our experience in a variety of building methods, we’ll design a home that balances efficiency, comfort, and performance — creating the best possible home for you and your family.
3. Contract & Pre-Build Phase
The contract serves as our shared guide throughout your homebuilding journey. It outlines expectations, responsibilities, and milestones — helping ensure that both you and our team have a clear understanding of every step. Establishing this mutual clarity sets the tone for a strong, transparent working relationship.
Once the contract is signed and the deposit received, we begin the pre-construction phase. This includes finalizing construction details, conducting a structural review, securing permits, and completing all necessary pre-build documentation to prepare for a smooth and efficient start on site.
4. Construction Drawings & Selections Phase
As we develop your construction drawings and complete the structural review, we’ll continue an open dialogue with you and your designer to refine the final shape and details of your home. During this stage, we’ll also begin preparing lot grading and servicing plans to ensure everything is ready for construction.
This is when most of your “homework” begins. Our team will start the selections tracking process, and you’ll meet with our trusted vendors and trades to choose your finishes — from flooring and cabinetry to fixtures and lighting. Our project selection phases document clearly outlines which decisions need to be made and when, keeping the process organized and stress-free.
Throughout this stage, we’ll collaborate closely to make sure your home reflects your vision inside and out. We’ll incorporate your feedback and adjustments along the way, ensuring that every detail comes together exactly as you imagined.
5. Flexibility During Construction
As your home takes shape, it’s natural that you may want to make a few changes along the way. Seeing your home come to life often sparks new ideas — and we welcome that.
Because we operate under a cost-plus structure, you have the flexibility to make changes at any stage, knowing you’ll only pay for the direct cost of those adjustments. There are no additional change-order fees or hidden charges.
Our goal is to provide maximum flexibility while ensuring your home continues to reflect your personality, preferences, and vision — right down to the final details.
6. Possession & Warranty Follow-up
On possession day, we’ll walk through your new home together and create a comprehensive list of any outstanding items. These will be addressed promptly through clear communication and coordinated planning.
If any seasonal work remains — such as exterior finishing or landscaping — we’ll complete it as soon as weather conditions allow.
About ten months after possession, we’ll reach out to schedule your one-year check-up. Before this visit, we’ll ask you to provide a list of any items that need attention so we can come prepared to address them efficiently. To ensure everything is handled thoroughly, we ask that your list be submitted one month before the scheduled walk-through.
