The #1 Step to Take Before Designing Your Custom Dream Home (And Why It Matters)
Building your dream home starts long before you pick out finishes or draw floorplans. The most critical first step? Choosing the right lot. In this post, we’ll explain why the lot is the first and most important decision — and walk you through Desco Fine Homes’ proven process for designing and building a custom home.
1. Lot Selection
Building a home involves many steps and important decisions. The first step in any custom build is securing the right lot — whether it’s vacant land or a teardown site — before you begin designing the house.
Some clients come to Desco having already purchased a lot, while others want to tear down an existing structure and rebuild on their current property. For those who are looking for a lot, they can continue the search independently or work with a real estate professional. Desco is happy to recommend an agent if needed. When a client finds a lot of interest, they’re encouraged to share it with us for feedback on factors like location, lot size, and suitability for building. In some cases, a lot may not be ideal due to logistical challenges — such as insufficient space for construction access.
(Click here to read more about lot selection).
2. Visualize Your Style: Gather Inspiration
Once the lot is secured, the next step is shaping the vision for your home–and that starts with inspiration. Before the architect draws the first line or the designer helps select finishes, it is useful to clarify your personal style.
Start gathering inspiration photos from sources like Pinterest, Houzz, magazines, or even photos of homes you’ve admired. Think about exterior styles, home layouts, kitchen and bathroom features, or special touches like built-in shelving or ceiling treatments.
These visuals don’t need to be perfect or consistent – they are simply tools to communicate your preferences and ideas. Sharing them early helps your architect, interior designer, and the Desco team understand your vision, which leads to thoughtful design decisions and a custom home that reflects your personality from the ground up.
3. House Plans and Interior Design
With the lot secured and your style direction clarified, we move into the planning phase. A home should be designed specifically for the lot and tailored to the client’s requirements and wish list. Desco can introduce clients to both an architect and an interior designer.
The client, architect, interior designer, and Desco team collaborate closely, using your collected inspiration and functional needs, to create the plans. The more detail included in the plans, the more accurate the pricing and the more closely the finished home will reflect the client’s vision. This includes details like floor outlet locations, pocket doors, wiring for lighting, electronics or motorized window treatments, structural support for heavy items (such as hanging furniture or multiple wall-mounted TVs), unique wall features or custom display elements, and utility connections for features such as gas grills or fire pits.
4. Cost Estimate
After the plans and a list of client-specific requirements are finalized (e.g. generator, central vacuum system, pool, wine room, and water filtration system) and initial interior design preferences are identified (e.g., paneling, beams, specialty finishes, and flooring types for each room), the Desco team can prepare a detailed cost estimate.
For items that require personal selection (e.g. plumbing fixtures, tile, countertops, light fixtures, appliances, landscaping), an allowance will be included in the initial budget. The final project cost will be based on whether the client’s choices are above or below those allowances.
5. The Importance of Detailed Plans
If a builder provides pricing without finalized plans and specifications, that estimate is essentially a guess. Detailed planning prevents costly surprises down the road. With Desco’s experience and hands-on approach, every aspect of your home is carefully considered from the start. That attention to detail is what makes the difference between a good build and a great one.
6. Why choose Desco Fine Homes?
With over 45 years of experience, David Goettsche, President of Desco Fine Homes, loves what he does and brings dedication and deep expertise to every home he builds. Known as a “builder’s builder,” David would be trusted by other builders to construct their personal homes. He remains hands-on throughout each project, supported by a dedicated project manager and a team of longtime, handpicked craftsmen — many of whom have worked with Desco for decades.
Desco has earned D Home Magazine’s Best Builder in Dallas award every year since the awards inception in 2005. We proudly serve North Dallas neighborhoods including Preston Hollow, Lakewood, Bent Tree, the M-Streets, Melshire Estates, Far North Dallas, Plano, and more.
Ready to find the perfect lot for your dream home? Contact Desco Fine Homes today to schedule a consultation—and start your custom build with confidence.
Desco Fine Homes has 2 lots for sale in North Dallas. Click here for more details.