How we work
Four phases, first conversation to final key
Design
Exceptional homes begin with inspired design. In this phase, we collaborate with you to capture your vision, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. You may work with your own architect or engage one of our trusted design partners. Every detail is thoughtfully considered so the design reflects how you live while establishing a strong foundation for the phases that follow.
Plan
A seamless building experience starts with intentional planning. During this phase, drawings are finalized, selections are refined, and pricing and timelines are clearly defined. We guide you through each decision with clarity and expertise so expectations are aligned before construction begins.
Build
With the plan in place, craftsmanship takes center stage. Our team brings your vision to life with precision, integrity, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Through attentive project management and consistent communication, we focus on delivering both an exceptional process and a finished home that meets the highest standards.
Live
The journey culminates in the moment you have been working toward. More than a finished residence, your home is a reflection of your story and the way you live. Thoughtfully designed and carefully built, your home will be enjoyed with confidence for years to come.
Timing
How long each phase took on a recent build
- About 2 months
- Design
- 2 months, overlapping design
- Plan
- 10 months
- Build
- 1 month before move‑in
- Punch list
Two ways in
A spec home and a custom home are not the same build
A spec home is one a builder starts before there is a buyer. The plan is chosen, the lot is chosen, and most of the selections are made before anyone walks through it. A custom home starts the other way round, with the family and the land they have, and the plan is drawn for them. The timeline above is the custom path.
Lafaye builds both. A spec home already under way can still be finished around a buyer, and the earlier that happens the more of the selections are still open. The homes available now are listed with the stage each one has reached, which is the quickest way to see what is still yours to choose.
Build
Precision you can see before the walls close
Framing at Beltline Estate, an in-town build on 1.7 acres.
Beltline EstateOur initial meeting with Lucas Bunch about 6 years ago to discuss our vision went very well and we liked him immediately. The next thing we knew Lafaye Custom Homes was building our custom and modified Modern Farm House. We had a very good experience and still love our home. Our home is well built. Rob Brown, who became our friend, was our project manager and was very easy to work with. He did a great job following up, attending to details, answering concerns and questions throughout the whole process. My wife also said it was so wonderful to have a designer, April, helping her make many selections for our new home.
Building from a distance
When the family lives three states away
Many Lafaye clients build before they move, and the communication is set up for exactly that.
A written job update goes out every Friday afternoon: what was finished that week, and what comes next. The on-site superintendent posts to the client portal every day, so the house can be followed between the Friday notes. The portal runs on Buildertrend.
The customer experience team carries the decisions and selections that come up along the way, and stays in contact with the family while they are being made.
High performance home standards
Built for comfort, efficiency, and the long haul
A Lafaye home isn't just beautiful, it's engineered to perform. We incorporate high-performance building standards into every home we build, so you enjoy lower energy costs, better indoor comfort, and a structure designed to endure. These aren't upgrades. They're the baseline.
The baseline
Twelve standards, every home
- 01Building envelope for long‑term performance
- 02Continuous air and thermal barriers
- 03Insulation focused on consistency and coverage
- 04High-performance windows and doors
- 05Mechanical systems designed per home
- 06Ductwork planned to reduce energy loss
- 07Integrated humidity and moisture control
- 08Materials selected for long‑term durability
- 09Low-VOC paints, finishes, and sealants
- 10Thoughtful noise and vibration reduction
- 11Water-efficient plumbing strategies
- 12Performance testing and quality control
Warranty
A ten-year limited warranty through PWSC
Every home Lafaye completes carries a ten-year limited warranty through PWSC.
Administered by a third party
Lafaye partners with PWSC, which administers the warranty on every home the company completes. Because the program is run by that third party rather than by the builder, the terms are written down and published: a homeowner can read them before signing and look them up again years later.
- Ten years, limitedThe coverage and its limits are set out in the written warranty.
- Current homeownersSign in through PWSC for the terms that apply to your own home.
- Before you buildThe terms of the limited warranty are published on the PWSC page, readable before anything is signed.
See the written limited warranty for the full explanation of what is covered and what is not.
Ready to talk through your build?
Bring a lot, a plan, or just a direction. The first conversation is how every Lafaye home starts.
Start your build