Design-build · Plans drawn in house
Design-Build Custom Homes in Knoxville
One team from the first sketch to the keys. We assess your needs and your property, draw your plans in house to fit your budget and your lot, and then build the home we designed.
One team, first sketch to keys
At Lawhead, all of our plans are drawn in house, by the same team that builds them. The people drawing your kitchen know what it takes to build it, and the people building it know exactly why it was drawn that way.
We take on a limited number of homes at a time, and Alex is personally involved in every one, backed by four decades of experience. You get one team, one conversation and one point of accountability from the first meeting to move-in.
The basics
What is design-build?
Design-build means one firm designs your home and builds it, under a single agreement. The traditional alternative, often called design-bid-build, splits the job in two: an architect or designer draws the plans first, the plans go out to contractors for bids, and you hire a builder separately. Here's how the two compare.
| Design-bid-build | Design-build with Lawhead | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you hire | A designer, then a builder, separately | One team that designs in house and builds |
| When construction input arrives | After the plans are finished and out for bid | From the first sketch |
| Budget fit | Often discovered when bids come back, sometimes followed by a redesign | Designed to your budget from the start, with real build costs informing each decision |
| Schedule | Design, bidding and construction happen one after another | Permitting, site planning and ordering can overlap with design |
| When questions come up | You may end up relaying between designer and builder | One point of accountability; the team that drew it answers for it |
The process
How design-build works at Lawhead
Needs and wants assessment
Every project starts with a custom assessment of you: how you live, your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves, your style, your timeline and the budget you want to work within.
Property assessment
We walk the property and assess slope, soils, views and sun, access, utilities, septic or sewer, setbacks, and any HOA, architectural review or TVA shoreline rules. Already own the lot? We start there. Still looking? We can assess a lot before you buy.
Concept design
We sketch layouts that fit your list, your budget and your lot, with early cost input from the people who will build the home, and work through them with you until the plan feels right.
Design development and construction drawings
The chosen concept is developed into detailed plans, elevations and specifications, all drawn in house. We work through selections, structure and mechanical systems together, keeping the budget in view as each decision is made.
Budget, approvals and pre-construction
We finalize the budget with transparent, open-book budgeting, handle HOA or architectural review submissions, pull permits, line up engineers and trades, schedule the work and order long-lead items early.
Build
The team that designed your home builds it. Alex stays personally involved, with regular walkthroughs and updates on progress, schedule and budget.
Completion and closeout
We walk the finished home with you, complete the punch list, and hand over warranty information and product manuals. We stand behind our work after you move in.
Why design-build
Putting design and construction under one roof changes how a custom home comes together.
One point of accountability
One team answers for the design and the build, so there's no finger-pointing between a designer and a builder. With our small volume, that team includes Alex himself.
Design informed by real build costs
Because we build what we draw, real construction costs shape the design from the first sketch. Expensive details get caught early, so the plan fits your budget and there are fewer changes mid-build.
Faster
No separate bidding round after the plans are done. Permitting, site planning and ordering long-lead items can overlap with design instead of waiting for it.
Fewer surprises
The lot is assessed before the design is drawn, and the people who build the home helped plan it, so fewer issues turn up once construction starts.
Builders who know the design intent
Our crews and trades build from plans our own team drew, so the details that matter to you are understood on site, not lost in translation.
Less stress for you
You're not the go-between. We coordinate permits, engineers, trades, ordering and scheduling, and keep you informed at every step.
Property assessment
Start with your lot
Lawhead offers property assessments as a service. Whether you already own the land or you're deciding between lots, we'll walk it and tell you what it means for your home: foundation and slope, views and orientation, access, utilities, septic or sewer, and the rules that apply.
Request a property assessment
Choosing a builder
Questions to ask any design-build firm
Whoever you talk to, including us, these questions will tell you a lot:
- Can I see homes you've both designed and built? Look for a portfolio that shows design and construction from the same firm.
- Can I talk with past clients? Ask what the process was really like, not just how the house turned out.
- Are you licensed and insured in Tennessee? Ask for the license number and proof of insurance.
- Who will I deal with day to day? Find out whether the owner stays involved or hands you off.
- How do you handle decisions and selections? Ask when choices need to be made and how they're tracked.
- How often will I hear from you? Agree on how and how often you'll get updates and walkthroughs.
- How are changes handled? Ask how a change is priced and approved before work goes ahead.
We're happy to answer every one of them. Start a conversation.
Design-build questions
What is design-build?
Design-build means one company designs your home and builds it, under one agreement. Instead of hiring an architect, then shopping the plans to builders, you work with a single team from the first conversation to move-in.
How is design-build different from design-bid-build?
With design-bid-build, an architect or designer draws the plans first, then the plans go out to contractors for bids, and you hire a builder separately. With design-build, one team handles both, so construction knowledge and cost input shape the design from the start and there's no gap between the designer and the builder.
Who draws the plans?
We do. All Lawhead plans are drawn in house, so the people designing your home work side by side with the people who will build it.
How is the design tailored to me?
Every project starts with a custom assessment of your needs and wants, followed by an assessment of your property. The design is then tailored to both your budget and your lot.
Can you help before I've bought a lot?
Yes. We offer property assessments as a service. We'll walk a lot with you and look at slope, views, access, utilities, septic or sewer and any HOA or shoreline rules, so you know what it means for your home before you commit.
How involved will Alex be?
Very. We build a limited number of homes at a time so Alex can be personally involved in each one, from the first assessment through design, construction and move-in, backed by four decades of experience.
Do you design and build lake homes?
Yes. Lakefront and lake-view homes on Tellico and Fort Loudoun lakes are a big part of our work, including steep lots, walkout foundations and planning around TVA shoreline rules.
Ready to start designing?
It starts with a conversation about how you live, what you want and where you want to build.