Our Boulder Design Build Process
We love the process. You’ll love the results.
“Everything felt very cohesive. You got pictures every day of how things were going–you could go in[to the app] and check every detail.”
- Tricia Stahr, Ridge Road House, referring to Tectonic’s use of BuilderTrend to keep her in the loop
Our Process
Where creativity meets opportunity and bold thinking meets thoughtful execution.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
Where it begins.
In the initial meeting, we learn about your project, budget, home, and goals. Then we compile a design proposal with a construction cost estimate — so moving forward means knowing exactly what to expect.
Initial Call
We connect to discuss your project, goals, and vision. You'll receive a back-of-the-napkin estimate — a high-level cost projection based on similar projects — giving you a clear starting point.
Complimentary Site Visit
Our architect and lead designer visit your home to see the spaces firsthand. We evaluate your space, understand your goals, and confirm our approach aligns with your needs.
Design Proposal
We present a design contract with a construction cost estimate. Moving forward means knowing exactly what to expect — scope, process, and investment range included.
From concept to fully detailed plans.
Design is its own contract. We move through three stages — from inspiration to permitted plans — producing complete selections, a fixed-price budget, and a signed build contract before construction begins.
Conceptual
We collect inspiration and vision details to produce 2D spatial layouts, basic exterior design, a conceptual estimate, a mood board of finishes, and a home integrity inspection.
Development
A deep dive into interior details — every item, color, and specification. We produce complete floor plans, a full 3D experience, and finish selections, leaving the design almost ready for construction.
Final Design
Interior design complete, city permitting plans filed, full plan set, renders, mood boards, final budget, and a signed build contract. You know exactly what you're getting before we break ground.
Built to schedule, with daily visibility.
Construction managed to a fixed schedule. You have daily visibility into progress, proactive communication at every stage, and no surprises on scope or cost.
Mobilization
A month-long pre-construction phase: materials pre-ordered, permits pulled, neighbors notified, client move-out coordinated, and site prepared. Everything in place before a single tool touches your home.
Structure
Deconstruction or foundation work, followed by framing and all rough-in systems — electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. The bones of your project go in right, with a home integrity inspection at key milestones.
Finishes
Tile, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and appliances — the visible work you'll live in every day. Every selection installed as specified, checked against your design package.
We stand behind every detail.
We know how important it is to protect your investment. All Tectonic projects are warrantied for 2 years — covering all work performed by our team and our trades, plus support with manufacturer warranties.
Project Close-out
Final walkthrough with a complete punch list review. Professional cleaning and a project binder handed off with warranty documentation and care instructions for every finish and system.
2-Year Warranty
All work by our team and our trades is fully warrantied for two years. We warranty our work — no asterisks, no fine print.
Manufacturer Support
We support clients with all manufacturer warranties on materials and appliances. You don't navigate that alone.
We’ll be honest: as a team of Type-A overachievers, it bothers us that homebuilds and renovations can be so stressful for homeowners, simply because so few builders have detailed, intentional processes.It doesn’t have to be that way.
“Tectonic’s transparency and communication built a lot of trust and comfort during heavy construction, and the delivery showed us our trust was well-deserved.”
-TJ Slattery, Spring Gulch House
Client Testimonial: The Ridge Road House
We know how important it is to protect your investment. That’s why all Tectonic projects are warrantied for 2 years. We warranty our work (all work performed by our team and our trades) and support clients with any manufacturer warranties.
What Our Clients Say
The Cherrywood House
The Nebo Ranch House (bathroom remodel)
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Boulder Design-Build Process
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You’ll connect with our team to discuss your project goals, vision, and budget. You’ll also receive a back-of-the-napkin estimate, a high level cost projection based on similar projects, giving you a clear starting point.
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Yes! After our discovery call, we’ll schedule a complimentary site visit with our architect and lead designer. This allows us to evaluate your space, understand your goals, and ensure our approach aligns with your needs.
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Timelines vary based on scope and complexity–and neither will ever surprise you. Through our process, we ensure a clear schedule and proactive management to keep your project on track. After our complimentary site visit, we’ll review our proposal and discuss the timeframe of your project.
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A cost-plus contract provides an initial estimate that doesn’t take into account client changes or issues the build might run into during the course of the project. It rests on unclear scope and murky timelines.
A fixed-price contract provides as much predictability as possible by accounting for the fluctuation inherent in building, the unforeseen circumstances that are part of any construction project. It’s based on prior projects, which further reduces uncertainty.
Tectonic uses a fixed-price model–so you know what to expect.
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Our fixed-price contracts outline all costs upfront, including materials, labor, and project management, eliminating unexpected expenses.
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Generally speaking, design costs an extra 10-12% above the total cost of the project.
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We stand by our design process from concept to completion. You’re guaranteed deliverables through the design process that are unique to design: full plan sets that are permittable with the local municipality, renders, selections schedule, and more.
Also, we want you to feel like you’re in control of the project–so if we get to the end of the design phase and one or both parties feel like parting ways, the renders, selections schedules etc. can be ported with you to your own builder. We don’t recommend that, but there’s nothing worse than feeling trapped in a contract. We’d rather preserve the relationship above everything else.