Our Process
At Retreat and Co. Custom Means Custom.
Our process is deeply personal and collaborative. We agonize over every detail, but the process is never agonizing. We lead you through each critical step, and you get to be as involved as you want. Best of all… it’s actually a lot of fun?
Fully integrated design-build studio.
It all begins with design.
Too often, custom homes are just glorified templates. Even when they are fully-custom, design and construction are treated separately. One team creates the vision. Another executes it. Somewhere in between, clarity gets lost.
We built Retreat & Co to bring it back together.
Building a home should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
With many builders, clients are left managing decisions, coordinating vendors, and navigating construction without clear direction. At Retreat & Co, design leads and process protects.
A Thoughtfully Led Process
PHASE 1
DISCOVERY + Get to know us
We get to know you and you get to know us. You’ll find that although we take the design process seriously, we don’t take ourselves very seriously.
We get an idea of your project and how we can best help. If the fit is right, you sign a pre-construction design agreement and we’re off to the races.
PHASE 2
Design Selections, Planning, + Bidding
For us every stage of a new build is “the fun part,” but this really feels like the fun part.
We guide you through a custom process to design your home around you. You can use one of our architects or we can collaborate with yours.
You’re in full control, but we handle all the legwork. We dream big together and have a grand time choosing layouts, selections, and finishes.
At the end of this process, we agree on a number and scope it out into a contract.
PHASE 3
CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES
We begin building your dream. We meet up for major milestones throughout, and you stay updated on all progress often.
We take pride in our consistent and clear communication, so you never have to wonder what is going on with your project.
Closing & What Comes Next
Closing on your Retreat & Co home is an important moment — and it’s one we take seriously.
Our approach is guided by the same principle that shaped your home from the beginning: intentional decisions, clear communication, and respect for your investment.
Before you ever step inside, our team completes a full punch of the home — reviewing every detail, finish, and system to ensure it meets our standards.
Then it’s your turn.
You’ll walk the home and note anything you’d like us to address. From there, we create one clear, final punch list that everyone works from.
This list becomes the reference point for all final adjustments.
Once that list is complete, our team takes care of the rest — efficiently and intentionally — so your home is ready for living.
Thanks for letting us do what we do best.
We hope you love living here.
“
“We wanted a custom home that was built to last, a builder who would have a network of established contractors, and have solutions to problems that would inevitably pop-up during the build process. We’ve been in our house for over two years now, and I can confirm that we got exactly that with Blake and Suzanne. There are a lot of great builders in BCS, but we know we made a good choice using Retreat and Co.!”
Troy & Jessica
additional offerings
High-End Remodel
Our passion is in the fully-custom, but we take on a select few high-end remodel projects each year. Want to be one of them?
Floor Plans
Overwhelmed with where to start your build?
Choose the plan that feels most like you, then decide how much of Retreat & Co. you want to bring along.
You Might be wondering
What should I expect when I reach out?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Start by emailing us, and our team will respond with our detailed discovery process. It involves you telling us a little about your project, where you’re building, your timeline, and what you’re hoping to create.
From there, our team will determine which Retreat & Co. service is the best fit and guide you through the next steps. Our process is intentionally structured so you know what comes next, what decisions are being made, and who is responsible for what.
How long does this all take?
Every project is different, but thoughtful homes take time.
The timeline depends on the project’s scope, permitting, selections, site conditions, and whether we are designing and building from the ground up or working within an existing home.
We establish a projected schedule early in the process and keep you informed as the project progresses. We would rather set a realistic expectation than promise an arbitrary completion date.
I've heard horror stories about change orders.
So have we.
Our goal is to make as many decisions as possible before construction begins so you understand the design, scope, and investment up front.
Changes can still happen, of course. Sometimes because you decide you want something different, and sometimes because construction reveals something no one could reasonably anticipate. When they do, we communicate the cost and impact before moving forward whenever possible.
No mystery invoices. No casual “we’ll figure it out later.” Full transparency.
What if I am outside of Retreat & Co.'s Market?
You can still work with us.
Purchasing one of our floor plans along with virtual design services allows clients outside our building area to access Retreat & Co.’s design perspective while working with their own local builder or contractor.
Tell us where your project is located, and we’ll help determine which level of involvement makes the most sense.
DO I NEED LAND BEFORE I CONTACT YOU?
No.
In fact, we often prefer to be involved early. The lot can influence everything from the floor plan and orientation to windows, outdoor spaces, grading, and overall construction cost.
If you are still looking for property, we actually have licensed real estate agents on our team who can help you evaluate potential sites through a design-and-build lens before you commit.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FLOOR PLAN?
Yes! And you will have the option to refine it. With our pre-construction design package, our design team can walk alongside you through the architectural process to help you refine your current plan, create updated plans, and even pre-select finishes.
We regularly work with clients who arrive with plans from an architect, another designer, or an online source. Before construction begins, we review the plan for flow, proportion, architectural details, and how the home will actually live.
Sometimes the best design decision is not starting over. It’s knowing what to edit to make it truly yours.
CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO ONE OF YOUR FLOOR PLANS?
Yes, of course! But within reason.
Our plans were developed intentionally, so we try to preserve the proportions and design decisions that make them work. That said, we understand that every property and family is different.
We can discuss modifications during the design process and help determine which changes strengthen the home, and which ones may compromise it.
HOW INVOLVED WILL I BE IN THE DESIGN?
As involved as you want to be without having to manage the process yourself.
Some clients love participating in every selection. Others prefer to give us a clear direction and let us curate the details.
Either way, you’ll have clear opportunities to review and approve the major decisions while our team maintains the overall design vision.
DO YOU WORK WITH A SPECIFIC STYLE?
We are known for homes that feel timeless, collected, and architecturally grounded rather than trend-driven.
That does not mean every Retreat home looks the same; in fact, the opposite is true. We respond to the architecture, the property, and the people living there while maintaining the restraint and cohesion that define our work. Our goal is authenticity – to the client, the location, and the desired architecture and vision.
WHY DESIGN + BUILD UNDER ONE COMPANY?
Because the best design only matters if it can actually be built well.
Keeping design and construction under one vision allows us to consider aesthetics, budget, detailing, sourcing, and execution together from the beginning.
It means fewer handoffs, fewer conflicting priorities, and a home that feels cohesive because the same team has been thinking about it from the first sketch through the final installation.
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT YET?
That’s completely normal.
You do not need to arrive with a finished Pinterest board or a list of every material you want to use. Part of our job is helping you identify what you’re drawn to so we can clarify your vision and turn a collection of ideas into a clear point of view.
You bring us the life you want to live in the house. We help give it form.
