Twin Cities Custom Home & lake house Building

Finding the right lot is one of the most important parts of building a custom home. It’s not just about location; it’s also about how well the land supports the kind of home and lifestyle you’re planning to create.

Whether you're considering land in Medina with wide open acreage or tearing down an old home in Edina to build your custom home, here are a few things to think through as you begin your search:

• Lot size and shape – Make sure the land can accommodate your ideal square footage and still leave room for outdoor living.
• Setbacks and zoning restrictions – Each city has different regulations that affect where and how you can build.
• Privacy and spacing – Consider how close your neighbors will be, and how much buffer you’d like between properties.
• Topography and soil conditions – Sloped, wooded, or uneven lots will require additional engineering or site prep. In the Twin Cities, watershed district permitting is often needed in addition to local approvals.
• Utilities and access – Check whether water, sewer, electricity, and internet are already available.
• Sunlight and orientation – Think about how the home will sit on the lot and where natural light will enter each space.
• Future plans – If you’re thinking about a pool, guest house, or garden someday, look for a lot that supports future flexibility.

Buying land is a big decision, but with the right team guiding you, it can be the beginning of something truly special.

It depends on your priorities, but for many homeowners, building a custom home offers a level of customization that buying just can’t match.

When you buy an existing home, you're often working within someone else’s choices: the layout, the materials, and the square footage. 

You may love the location but compromise on the kitchen, wish the primary suite were larger, or realize the finishes don’t reflect your style. Updates can help, but they don’t always solve everything.

Building a custom home gives you the chance to make exacting decisions from the start. You can choose the layout that supports your daily routine, design with aging in place in mind, include niche spaces, and select materials that reflect your personal taste.

That said, building a custom home does take time and involves a lot of decisions along the way. If your schedule is packed or you’d rather avoid the details, buying an existing home might be the simpler path.

In the end, it’s a more intentional path for many of our clients because it’s the one that makes everything feel right.

Most custom homes take between 18 and 24 months from the initial conversation to move-in day, depending on the scope, complexity, and level of customization involved.

Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

• Discovery & Consultation
  We start by getting to know you, what you’re looking for, how you live, and what you’re hoping to create.
• Conceptual Design
  Our in-house architectural design team develops a vision for your home, exploring layout ideas, priorities, and aesthetic direction.
• Design Development
  We refine the details—selecting materials, engineering systems, and creating the full drawing set needed for permitting and pricing.
• Permitting & Pre-Construction 

We handle the technical steps of preparing your project for construction, including city approvals, permitting, and final contracts.

• Construction
  Once construction begins, our team manages the schedule, coordinates every detail, and keeps you informed from the first foundation pour to the final walkthrough.
• Move-In
  You walk into a home that reflects the life you imagined—built with care, collaboration, and craftsmanship from start to finish.

We believe the process should feel as personalized as the home itself, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.