With 15+ years of hands-on experience in custom home building, Steve has seen just about every scenario — the smooth projects, the challenging ones, and everything in between. That experience is what allows him to guide homeowners with clarity and confidence from the very first conversation.

When you sit down with Steve, you won’t get a rehearsed sales presentation. You’ll get honest insight, practical advice, and real answers shaped by years in the field. He understands that building a custom home is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions you’ll ever make, and he respects that.

His goal isn’t to “close” you — it’s to help you make the right decision for your land, your budget, and your future. Even if that means you’re not ready yet.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about selling a house. It’s about guiding people through a process he knows well and genuinely cares about.

Text Steve Directly 📲 

• → Walk the land
  
  → Discuss lifestyle, goals, and long-term plans
  
  → Establish realistic budget ranges
  
  → Review site constraints (utilities, setbacks, topography)
  
  → Align on scope and expectations

Goal: Make sure what you want is possible — before major money is spent.

• → Architectural plans & layout refinement
  
  → Structural engineering
  
  → Selections & specifications
  
  → Detailed budgeting
  
  → Permitting

Goal: Finalize everything on paper so there are no surprises in the field.

• → Site preparation & foundation
  
  → Framing & mechanical systems
  
  → Interior finishes
  
  → Quality control walkthroughs
  
  → Final inspections & move-in

Goal: Deliver a home that reflects the vision established in Phase 1.

Dave Costello

Jerry & Donna Smith

Matt Blake

Ask us anything.

210-888-0919

Steve.grant@919customhomes.com

Do you build on land I already own?

Yes we do.

Can you help if I haven't purchased land yet?

Absolutely — and you should call us before you do.

Buying land is exciting, but not every lot is suited for the home you’re envisioning. We regularly help clients evaluate properties, identify lots for sale, and even walk potential sites with you to assess buildability, layout possibilities, utilities, drainage, views, and overall suitability.

A quick conversation can save you from expensive surprises later.

What areas do you build in?

Our primary building area follows the Interstate 10 corridor from The Rim up through Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, and the surrounding Hill Country communities.

The map below outlines our core service area, where we know the land, the regulations, and the building process inside and out. While this is our primary focus, we’ve occasionally taken projects just outside these boundaries.

What's the first step in the custom home process?

Start with a conversation.

Before you buy a lot or invest in blueprints, give us a call. We’ll walk you through your options, help you avoid costly missteps, and map out the smartest order of operations based on your goals, budget, and timeline.

For some homeowners, the right move is securing the perfect piece of land first. For others, it’s refining a floor plan that fits their lifestyle. The best path depends entirely on what you’re hoping to accomplish — and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you figure out.

No pressure. No obligation. Just honest guidance from a builder who wants you to start the right way.

How far in advance should I contact a builder before I want to build?

Earlier than you think.

The best time to call is before you make any major decisions — before you buy land, before you hire a designer, and definitely before you finalize plans. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can help you protect your budget, avoid costly changes, and set your project up for success from day one.

Even if you’re “just thinking about it,” that’s the perfect time to reach out. We’re happy to offer honest advice, walk you through the process, and help you understand what to expect with no pressure attached.

How is pricing structured for a custom home?

We operate on a cost-plus model built on full transparency.

That means you see the detailed budget for every single line item. You know exactly where your money is going and you pay what we pay, plus a clearly defined profit fee that’s agreed upon upfront.

No hidden markups. No vague allowances. No surprises.

Just honest numbers, open books, and complete clarity from day one.

What is included in your pricing?

Everything. Our pricing includes permitting, utilities, full construction costs, driveways, landscaping, fencing, and all the jobsite essentials (yes, even the dumpsters and porta-potties).

We believe when you ask, “What will this cost me?” you deserve a real answer not a partial number with surprise add-ons later.

Clear scope. Clear numbers. A complete picture from the start.

How do allowances work?

For major components like foundation, framing, roofing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, we obtain exact bids, not estimates.

For finish selections such as plumbing fixtures, lighting, and appliances, we include allowances. These aren’t random numbers. Our design team curates options based on your style, and we’ll have you build an appliance “wish list” to make sure the budget aligns with what you actually want.

If the allowance doesn’t realistically match your taste and expectations, that’s on us — not you.

How do you handle budget changes or upgrades?

Simple and transparent.

If you decide to upgrade something that was originally included in the budget, you only pay the difference in cost plus our agreed-upon builder profit. Once the change order is reviewed and signed, we move forward.

No hidden fees. No inflated pricing. Just clear numbers so you can confidently choose where to invest more in your home.

Do you help clients stay on budget?

Absolutely — it’s one of our top priorities.

Before construction begins, we develop a complete, detailed budget covering everything required to build your home. Unless you request changes, we typically finish within 1% of the original budget on a custom build.

If you do decide to make a change, we clearly show you the exact financial impact before anything moves forward so you’re always in control.

What do you charge per square foot to build a new custom home?

It’s a fair question and one builders answer carefully.

Price per square foot can vary significantly depending on the materials and finishes you choose. An oven alone can range from $1,200 to $36,000. Those decisions dramatically affect the final number, and we never want to give a figure that sets the wrong expectations.

That said, we’re currently building very nice custom homes in the $300 per square foot range for living space. This does not include the cost of the lot.

For example, if you purchase a $100,000 lot and build a 3,000 sq ft home at $300 per square foot, you’re looking at roughly a $1,000,000 total investment ($100,000 lot + $900,000 build).

The Right Conversation Today Will Save You Thousands Tomorrow.