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Written by Ryan Castro, President, KC Custom Homes.
25+ years building in New Braunfels, San Antonio, Boerne, and the Texas Hill Country. 2024 TAB Grand Award and multiple GSABA recognitions.
Building a custom home in the Texas Hill Country is an exciting journey. But without a clear roadmap, it can feel overwhelming.
At KC Custom Homes, we've refined our process over 25 years to give you confidence at every stage. You'll know what happens next, who's responsible, and how decisions affect your timeline and budget.
This guide walks you through our complete process from your first consultation to the day you receive your keys. Whether you're building in New Braunfels, San Antonio, Boerne, or Canyon Lake, you'll see exactly what to expect.
• Initial consultation: Free lot review, goal setting, and feasibility assessment
• Budget and design: Clear allowances, selections guidance, and Hill Country style options
• Permitting: Local Comal and Kendall County permits, soils, utilities, and site prep
• Construction: 10-16 month timeline with weekly updates and milestone meetings
• Energy efficiency: Climate-appropriate systems with optional third-party verification
• Closing: Full orientation, punch list, written warranty, and ongoing support
Ready to talk through your timeline and budget? Request a free quote.
Award-Winning Excellence
2024 TAB Grand Award winner with multiple Greater San Antonio Builders Association recognitions. View our awards.
Proven Track Record
25+ years building luxury custom homes across the Texas Hill Country. See our gallery.
Family Values
Three generations of the Castro family dedicated to your vision. Meet the KC family.
We follow a simple sequence: consult, design, permit, build, and warranty. Each stage has defined tasks, owners, and dates so you always know what happens next.
Clarity reduces risk. It protects your time and your budget.
You get one point of contact from KC Custom Homes. Behind them stands a full support team backing every decision.
We maintain a weekly update cadence throughout your project. Milestone meetings happen at key phases like pre-construction, framing completion, and pre-drywall.
Dates are tracked against a public-facing schedule. You can plan your move, your furniture delivery, and your life around real timelines.
Photos and notes are logged during site visits. You see progress even when you can't be on-site yourself.
Punch list tools ensure clean closeout. Nothing falls through the cracks at the finish line.
Before moving forward, confirm these elements are clear:
Learn more about our process or meet the team who will guide your build.
Begin with a free consultation, land review, and goal setting. We translate your scope into a written spec with allowances so pricing stays clear.
Early clarity avoids redraws and delays. It also prevents budget surprises halfway through design.
We start by defining the basics. Size, number of rooms, style preferences, and your must-haves.
Then we establish allowance levels for finishes. This keeps expectations aligned with budget reality from day one.
You might love Cambria quartz and European oak floors. We make sure your allowances support those choices before you fall in love with them in the design center.
We note utilities, driveway access, and site challenges during the initial walk. Identifying constraints early helps us manage both cost and timeline.
A steep lot might need retaining walls. Poor soil might require deeper piers. A long utility run affects your budget.
We flag these items up front, not after you've signed a contract.
Some clients want daily text updates with photos. Others prefer a weekly call on Friday mornings.
We align on your preferred communication cadence during the first meeting. Your time is valuable, and we respect how you want to stay informed.
Come prepared with:
Request your free consultation or read our complete What to Expect Guide.
We walk your lot, check utilities, slopes, and trees, then handle local permits with you. In Comal County, required permits may include OSSF and floodplain when applicable.
Early feasibility prevents rework. It also prevents cost surprises after you've invested in design.
We confirm plat boundaries, setbacks, easements, and access first. These legal elements dictate where your home can sit on the lot.
Then we review soils, drainage patterns, and driveway approach. A wet area might need French drains. A steep drive might need switchbacks.
We identify utility runs, well locations, and septic system placement. In the Hill Country, many lots require on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) rather than city sewer.
Tree protection and view corridors are planned during this walk. That 100-year oak in your front yard deserves a protection zone. That view of the hills deserves a wall of windows.
We map these features early so design can maximize what makes your lot special.
We sequence county and city submittals to keep the schedule moving. Comal County requires specific permits depending on your site.
On-site sewage facilities (OSSF) need county approval. Floodplain determinations apply to certain areas near creeks and rivers.
We handle the paperwork and coordination. You stay informed without drowning in bureaucracy.
For complete permit requirements, visit the Comal County Engineer's Office.
Gather these documents before the site walk:
Explore homes we've built in featured communities or see our work around Canyon Lake.
You design with our team using Texas Hill Country styles like limestone, metal roofing, and warm woods. We lock specs and allowances before final pricing.
Defined selections keep schedule and budget on track. Changing your mind mid-construction costs time and money.
Floor plan development comes first. We start with your room count, flow preferences, and lifestyle needs.
Do you need a main-floor primary suite? A separate casita for guests? An oversized garage for your truck and toys?
Elevations follow the floor plan. Hill Country style often features limestone or stacked stone, standing seam metal roofs, and deep covered porches.
You see 3D renderings so you can visualize your home before we break ground.
We conduct a structural review tied to your specific site conditions. That review from your site walk feeds directly into engineering.
Expansive clay soils need post-tension slabs. Slopes need proper drainage. High wind exposure needs stronger roof connections.
Exterior and interior selections are organized by room and system. You choose:
We guide you through decisions in logical order. Roof color before shutter color. Tile before grout.
Allowances are reconciled before you sign the contract. If you're over on countertops, we adjust elsewhere or update the budget.
Final sign-offs are stored in your project folder. No confusion about what you picked six months ago.
Browse our gallery for inspiration, or explore designer floor plans we've created for Hill Country living.
Most custom homes here run 10 to 16 months from permit to keys depending on size, complexity, and site. Recent national data shows 10.1 months in 2023 and 9.1 months in 2024 on average.
Realistic timelines drive better decisions. They also prevent frustration when reality doesn't match unrealistic expectations.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, average single-family construction time was 10.1 months in 2023 and 9.1 months in 2024. These averages reflect builds from permit to completion across the country.
In the Texas Hill Country, our typical range runs 10 to 16 months. Larger homes, complex sites, and higher-end finishes extend the timeline.
Pre-Slab (Weeks 1-4)
Site prep, excavation, form work, and plumbing rough-ins. Your foundation crew pours the slab after inspections.
Shell Construction (Months 2-4)
Framing goes up fast. Roof, windows, and exterior doors follow. Your home starts looking like a home.
Mechanical Rough-Ins (Months 4-6)
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins happen while walls are open. Insulation and drywall come next.
Interior Finishes (Months 6-9)
Trim carpentry, cabinet installation, tile work, paint, and flooring. This phase shows your design choices coming to life.
Finals and Closeout (Months 9-12+)
Final inspections, punch list, orientation, and warranty paperwork. You walk through every system and every detail.
Milestone dates are set at the pre-construction meeting. That's when you meet the site superintendent and walk the schedule together.
You know when to expect framing, when to make final tile selections, and when to plan your move.
See the complete build story for Trailhead View, or read our detailed timeline explainer.
We build for our climate with tested targets and third-party verifications as specified. Energy features align with current ENERGY STAR guidance where selected.
Comfort matters. Durability matters. Lower operating costs matter.
The Texas Hill Country delivers hot summers, occasional hard freezes, and plenty of humidity. Your home needs to handle all of it.
Air sealing, insulation, and duct best practices form the foundation of energy performance.
We seal the building envelope to reduce air leakage. Conditioned air stays inside. Hot attic air stays out.
Insulation is installed to manufacturer specifications. Compressed insulation loses R-value. Gaps create thermal bridges.
Ducts are sealed and tested where specified. Leaky ducts waste energy and reduce comfort.
High-efficiency HVAC equipment is sized to actual loads, not old rules of thumb. An oversized unit short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly.
We use Manual J load calculations for proper sizing. Your system runs longer, quieter cycles that maintain comfort.
Efficient windows carry climate-appropriate ratings. Low-E coatings, proper U-factors, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients all matter in our region.
Blower door testing measures whole-house air leakage. Duct leakage testing finds problems before drywall covers them.
Third-party verification happens when you select an ENERGY STAR package. An independent rater confirms performance.
For current program details, visit ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes.
Orientation and shading strategies balance sun and views. Deep porches provide shade in summer. Strategic window placement captures winter sun.
We design for the Hill Country climate, not a generic textbook.
Explore our awards including recognitions for quality and craftsmanship, or review our complete process.
We complete orientation, create a punch list, and schedule follow-ups. Your warranty and service process are explained in writing with contacts and timelines.
You know who to call. You know what to expect. You know how we stand behind our work.
Orientation includes a full systems walkthrough with your superintendent. You learn how everything works before you need to use it.
Where's the main water shutoff? How do you reset the HVAC filter reminder? Which breaker controls the well pump?
We walk every room, every switch, and every system. Questions are answered on the spot.
A written punch list assigns dates and owners to remaining items. Touch-up paint goes here. Cabinet alignment goes there.
Items are tracked to completion. You're not left wondering if something was forgotten.
Most punch items close within two weeks. Occasional special-order items take longer.
Warranty documents and service request steps are provided at closing. You receive:
Everything lives in one folder. Digital and paper copies.
Seasonal care tips are tailored to Hill Country homes. Foundation watering matters during drought. Gutter cleaning matters during oak pollen season.
We provide a maintenance calendar specific to your home and your systems.
Optional check-ins after move-in give you peace of mind. Some clients want a 30-day and 6-month visit. Others call only if something comes up.
We're here either way. Building your home starts a relationship, not a transaction.
Store all documents and contact info in one folder. You'll thank yourself when you need to reference a warranty two years from now.
Contact our team with questions, or request a free quote to start your project.
Plan on 10 to 16 months for most custom homes in our region. Your specific timeline depends on home size, site complexity, and finish selections.
Recent national averages ran about 10.1 months in 2023 and 9.1 months in 2024 from permit to completion.
A 2,500-square-foot home on a simple lot with standard finishes runs faster than a 5,000-square-foot home on a steep lot with custom everything.
Read our complete timeline explainer for phase-by-phase details.
Start with a free consultation and lot review. We scope your goals, budget, and schedule before any design work begins.
Bring your property survey if you have one. We'll walk the lot together and discuss possibilities.
No pressure. No obligation. Just honest conversation about your vision and our process.
Request your free quote today.
No. We can help you evaluate lots or find the right property.
That said, early lot input improves your plan, views, and budget. A flat lot with utilities at the street costs less to develop than a steep lot with a long utility run.
We build across the Hill Country in communities like Vintage Oaks, George's Ranch, and Canyon Lake. See featured communities where we're active.
Requirements vary by site. Comal County lists permits such as on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) and floodplain when applicable.
City of New Braunfels requires different permits than unincorporated Comal County. We confirm exact needs during feasibility.
For the most current requirements, visit the Comal County Engineer's Office.
We handle coordination and submittals. You stay informed without managing paperwork.
Yes, through written change orders. Changes can affect timeline and cost, so we document everything.
Want to add a skylight after framing? We price it, you approve it, and we update the schedule.
Written approvals protect both of us. No confusion about what was agreed to.
Learn more about how we handle changes in our process.
Recent clients invest from $600K to $4M+ depending on size, site, and finishes.
A 2,000-square-foot home with standard finishes sits at one end. A 5,000-square-foot home with luxury everything sits at the other.
We align allowances to your target early in the process. No surprises halfway through design.
Contact us to discuss your specific budget and goals.
Yes. We build on your lot across New Braunfels, San Antonio, Boerne, Canyon Lake, and nearby areas.
We also help with lot selection if you're still searching. Our knowledge of local communities, builders, and development patterns helps you choose well.
See recent work around Canyon Lake and New Braunfels.
Texas Hill Country, modern farmhouse, and clean contemporary are common requests. Every home we build is unique.
Hill Country style features limestone or native stone, metal roofing, and deep porches. Modern farmhouse adds board-and-batten siding and clean lines. Contemporary pushes toward larger windows and minimal trim.
Browse our gallery for inspiration across all styles.
You've seen the process. You understand the timeline. You know what we deliver.
Now it's time to talk about your specific lot, your goals, and your vision for a custom home in the Texas Hill Country.
Three ways to move forward:
KC Custom Homes serves New Braunfels, San Antonio, Boerne, Canyon Lake, and the greater Texas Hill Country. We're a family-owned builder with 25+ years of experience and a 2024 TAB Grand Award for excellence.
Let's build something beautiful together.
Featured Projects:
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Current Opportunities:
This article was written by Ryan Castro, President at KC Custom Homes, and reviewed by Chris Castro, VP & Director of Sales. The Castro family has built custom homes in the Texas Hill Country for over 25 years, earning recognition including the 2024 TAB Grand Award and multiple Greater San Antonio Builders Association honors.
To request a free quote, please fill the form below. Let us know what features you’re looking for in your next home and our experienced team will contact you shortly.