In Building a Custom Home in Tucson: Part 1, we left off just as our clients were preparing to meet three custom builders: each carefully selected based on experience, style, communication approach, and reputation. For a couple still carrying the weight of a family member’s negative experience with a builder, this next step felt particularly intimidating. But it was also the moment when things finally began to take shape.
Moving Past Hesitation
Because of their sister-in-law’s difficult two‑year building process in Texas, our clients were understandably cautious. That experience had instilled real fear about choosing the wrong builder and contributed to their slow progress. They had purchased their Pima Canyon lot three years earlier with every intention of starting right away, yet indecision had stalled them…until now.
With their financing secured and a clear understanding of expectations, it was time to move forward with confidence.
How We Chose Which Builders to Introduce
Tucson has many excellent, highly reputable custom builders: professionals with decades of experience constructing multi‑million‑dollar homes. But we needed to match the right builders to this couple. Several criteria guided our recommendations:
- Firsthand experience in Pima Canyon, including familiarity with the subdivision’s approving architect and Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
- A design focus on contemporary architecture, aligning with the clients’ vision
- A collaborative, communicative personality, well-suited for clients who value thoughtful discussion and informed decision‑making
A builder with a Type‑A, forceful personality was not going to be the right fit here. These clients needed someone soft‑spoken, patient, and willing to walk through options, timelines, and choices without pressure. At their request, we also gathered as much feedback as possible from other Tucson Realtors who had recently worked with the builders.
With all this in mind, we recommended three builders and scheduled on-site meetings to walk the lot together.
What We Learned On-Site
Walking the lot with each builder proved invaluable. Each one offered detailed insight into:
- Optimal home and casita placement
- Orientation for views and privacy
- Site access points
- How to work with the natural topography
- Potential excavation needs and related costs
- A realistic timeline for the entire build
These weren’t surface-level conversations. We spent over an hour with each builder, and the difference in communication style and expertise became clear.
One builder brought a draftsman, who began sketching a conceptual home layout in real time as the clients described their preferences. By the end of the meeting, they had a rough design that aligned closely with the clients’ vision, an impressive and memorable moment.
Narrowing the Field
After all three meetings, the clients had enough information to eliminate one builder and continue evaluating the remaining two. The next step was to:
- Visit recently completed homes built by each
- Meet in their offices
- Learn more about their teams, subcontractors, and lender relationship
- Understand each builder’s “work culture”
These follow-up meetings provided a deeper look at how each builder supported clients during construction and long after move‑in.
A Confident Decision
Six months after our first on‑site meeting, armed with information, clarity, and confidence, our clients selected their builder and were ready to begin the next phase of the custom home journey.
…Stay tuned for Part 3!
