Do I need to own land before contacting a custom home builder?

No, and it is often better if you do not. JT Builders walks lots with clients before purchase and explains what a given site will add to the build cost. A cheap lot with poor soils or a long utility run is not a cheap lot.

Will you build from my architect's plans?

Yes. JT Builders regularly builds from client-supplied drawings, and can also handle architecture and engineering coordination. Either way, an interior designer is part of the process.

How many projects does JT Builders take at once?

Deliberately few, so the owner stays personally involved in every job rather than managing crews from a distance.

What areas does JT Builders serve?

JT Builders serves Northern Colorado and the Front Range, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Timnath, Wellington, Estes Park, Windsor, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Superior, Louisville, Erie, Broomfield and Westminster.

Our 8-Step Building Process | JT Builders Colorado

Q: What does resto-mod mean for a house?

Resto-mod is a term borrowed from classic cars. You keep what is worth keeping, such as the site, the structure and whatever character still earns its place, and rebuild everything else to modern standard: framing, systems, envelope and floor plan. How far the result moves from the original is the owner's choice. It can stay faithful to the period or become a thoroughly modern house on old bones.

Q: How is pricing handled on a custom home?

JT Builders prices the job upfront and itemized after the design is settled, before any contract is signed. Changes after that are documented in writing as change orders, so the price does not move without the client's signature.

Why It Matters

No Black Boxes

As a home builder, we understand how much of the stress in building comes from not knowing what is happening. Because you are the priority, we developed a step-by-step process centered on you — to build your dream, and make getting there seamless.

01

Land

Determine an ideal plot of land where you would like to build your home. We look at grade, access, utilities, soils, setbacks and covenants — and tell you what it will actually cost to build there before you buy.

02

Budget

We go over building and design details and determine the possibilities that fit within your budget. Honest numbers here mean nothing has to be cut out later.

03

Design

You work closely with our skilled interior designer on the interior and exterior of your home — layout, elevations, materials, finishes and fixtures, selected together rather than handed to you.

04

Price

With the design and build details settled, we go over an upfront price. Itemized, not estimated, so you can see exactly what each decision costs.

05

Contract

Your approval of drawings and finishes is required before we begin construction. Nothing moves forward on a handshake and a hope.

06

Prepping Land

Most sites require grading and excavating before any construction can take place. Utilities, drainage and the building pad get established properly — the part nobody photographs and everybody depends on.

07

Construction

Your design and floor plan are finalized — now it is time to start building. You get regular updates and site access, and the same person throughout who priced the job.

08

Final Walk-Through

Once construction is complete we walk you through your new home to blue-tape any improvements you find. We do not consider the job finished until that list is empty.

Common Questions

Before You Call

No — and it is often better if you do not. We routinely walk lots with clients before purchase and tell them what a given site will add to the build cost. A cheap lot with bad soils or a long utility run is not a cheap lot.

Yes. We build from client-supplied drawings regularly, and we can also handle architecture and engineering coordination for you. Either way, our interior designer is part of the process.

It is a term borrowed from classic cars. You keep what is worth keeping — the site, the structure, and whatever character still earns its place — and rebuild everything else to modern standard: framing, systems, envelope, floor plan. How far the result moves from the original is your call. It can stay faithful to the period, or it can become a thoroughly modern house on old bones, which is what we did at 1450 High St in Boulder.

We price the job upfront and itemized after the design is settled, before any contract is signed. Changes after that are documented in writing as change orders, so the number never moves without your signature.

Deliberately few. That is what lets the owner stay personally involved in every job rather than managing crews from a distance. It also means our calendar fills — earlier conversations get better dates.

Start At Step One

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The Process