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At CLB Network, we celebrate the best in residential and commercial design-build. Our mission is to recognize firms whose work goes beyond aesthetics — those who deliver exceptional service, outstanding results, and sustainable yet innovative solutions. We honor those who don’t just build, but who shape environments, elevate neighborhoods, and set new standards in design, construction, and client satisfaction.
Certified Luxury Builders highlights key industry trends and success strategies, real-life examples, simple processes, and timely results for luxury builders and remodelers.
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Design-Build Leadership — Companies who lead with vision, seamlessly integrating architectural design, engineering, and construction to deliver efficient, beautiful, and enduring spaces.
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Service & Client Outcomes — It isn’t just the finished build. We pay attention to collaboration, communication, timeliness, budget management, and how deeply client expectations are understood and exceeded.
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Whether you’re a design-build firm seeking to demonstrate your best work, a project partner interested in new ideas, or a client wanting to engage the very best — CLB Network is your platform for recognition, connection, and inspiration.
Welcome back to the deep dive. You know, thinking about building a custom home, especially a luxury one, maybe right on the water. It sounds like the absolute dream, doesn't it? Absolutely. Peak achievement stuff.
Speaker 1:But, almost immediately that dream bumps up against this, this massive anxiety, the scale of it, the money involved, the horror stories you hear about things going wrong, budget nightmares, delays. It just feels huge. Where do you even begin?
Speaker 2:That's exactly it. That feeling of being overwhelmed, it often stems from, well, just a lack of a clear path forward. So what we did was take a close look at the blueprint used by a specific builder, Showcase Builders. They work in a pretty high stakes area like LBJ.
Speaker 1:Right, down in Texas they've been operating there since what, 2010?
Speaker 2:Yeah, about fourteen years. And they've developed this very structured process, they call it the collaborative method. Our goal today is to kind of unpack that method, see what lessons you can pull out for managing risk in any big custom build, not just luxury. And then maybe step back a bit, look at the broader picture. You know, lakefront real estate, investment angles, affordability, stuff for anyone just curious about that market.
Speaker 1:And that location focus is key here, isn't it? Yeah. We're talking Lake LBJ, Waterfront Horseshoe Bay, Kingsland, Granite Shoals, Sunrise Beach, Marble Falls, Yano.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's a specific kind of place. It's defined by, well, certain lifestyle. Luxury, premier golf courses, high end shopping, dining. It's more than just the lake.
Speaker 2:It's an ecosystem.
Speaker 1:A luxury ecosystem. Okay.
Speaker 2:And you know, that environment seems to be driving a really interesting change in what people actually wanna build there. The sources we looked at pointed this out quite clearly.
Speaker 1:Oh, what kind of change?
Speaker 2:Well, it seems the designs themselves are shifting away from, say, the very traditional Texas Hill Country styles, you know, the heavy stone made more predictable layout.
Speaker 1:Right. The sort of expected regional look.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's moving towards something much more individual, more focused on the owner's specific personality. Like, this is my unique space.
Speaker 1:So it's less about fitting into a regional mold and more about, like, a personal fingerprint in architectural form.
Speaker 2:That's a great way to put it. And it's partly possible because of new materials, new building techniques that offer more flexibility. But fundamentally, it seems driven by the owners themselves. They expect their second home or maybe even their primary luxury home to be a total reflection of them if you're investing that much.
Speaker 1:You want something truly bespoke. Makes sense. Uh-huh. Okay. So before we dive into the how of building, maybe give us the context Lake LBJ itself.
Speaker 1:If someone's thinking about that area, what's the draw of the lake?
Speaker 2:Sure. Lake LBJ, Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, it's Northwest of Austin, where the Colorado and Lana Rivers meet. And here's a key thing. It's a constant level lake.
Speaker 1:That's huge in Texas. Right? With drought concerns.
Speaker 2:It's a massive selling point. Owners don't have those worries about docks ending up high and dry like on many other Texas lakes. It's also pretty deep, up to 90 feet in places. So great for boating, skiing, fishing. It's reliable, basically.
Speaker 2:A reliable luxury escape.
Speaker 1:Okay. Prime location, constant water level, demanding owners wanting unique designs. This sounds like where the problems usually start. Right? That feeling of being overwhelmed we talked about.
Speaker 2:Exactly. This is the crunch point. It applies to almost any custom build, really. Owners are juggling so many variables.
Speaker 1:Like what specifically?
Speaker 2:Oh, everything. Getting the financing lined up, managing the budget which is complex enough on its own, making sure the style they choose isn't just pretty but actually adds value to the property.
Speaker 1:They have the practical stuff.
Speaker 2:Right. HOA rules, community restrictions, you know, all that. And maybe the biggest hurdle, finding a builder you can actually trust. Someone who'll take real responsibility for the whole thing start to finish.
Speaker 1:So you don't have to basically become your own general contractor.
Speaker 2:Nobody wants that, especially at this level. You need a partner who owns the entire process.
Speaker 1:Which brings us back to showcase builders and their collaborative method. You said it's designed specifically to address that need to deliver a what do they call it? A five star experience.
Speaker 2:That's their term. Yeah. They've refined it over those fourteen years and it's their pledge essentially. The client stays focused on the fun parts, the design, the approvals, not the day to day chaos of construction logistics.
Speaker 1:Okay, so how do they back that up? The sources mentioned three pillars supporting this promise.
Speaker 2:They did. Three pillars of trust, you could say. And these are pretty universal, I think, for any builder aiming for high end results.
Speaker 1:Alright. Let's unpack them. Pillar number one is process.
Speaker 2:The process. It sounds simple, but it's basically the documented roadmap. It's designed to be clear, linear, transparent. Client describes the vision, team draws it, client approves, builder executes.
Speaker 1:Describe, draw, approve, execute.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Now obviously the execution is complex, but having that clear defined structure from the start is what minimizes misunderstandings, budget blowouts, scope creep, all those common problems.
Speaker 1:Okay. That makes sense. What's the second pillar?
Speaker 2:Team.
Speaker 1:The team. Critical in luxury building. You're only as strong as your weakest link. Right?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. So they emphasize assembling a team based on trust and collaboration. Showcase, for example, specifically partners with nationally recognized architects and interior designers.
Speaker 1:So they're not just relying on, like, in house drafters for these unique high end designs?
Speaker 2:Exactly. They bring in top tier external talent when the project demands it. Plus, they heavily vet their subcontractors and suppliers. It's about creating synergy, making sure everyone's operating at the highest standard.
Speaker 1:Got it. Process, team. Yeah. And the third pillar is execution. This must be where the actual building happens.
Speaker 2:It is, but it's more than just construction management. Execution covers the meticulous handling of time, budget, maintaining design integrity, and ensuring top notch craftsmanship.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:This is where some of the technical stuff comes in, but it's important. Like, the sources mention integrating state of the art systems.
Speaker 1:Smart home tech, AV, security, all that.
Speaker 2:Right. Making sure it all actually works together seamlessly, not just tacked on. And they also lean heavily on something called value engineering.
Speaker 1:Okay. Stop there. Value engineering. That sounds like jargon. What does it actually mean when you're building a multi million dollar home?
Speaker 1:Are you just cutting costs?
Speaker 2:No. Not cutting quality, ideally. It's about maximizing the function you get for the cost. It means analyzing the design, usually early on, to find potentially less expensive ways to achieve the same result without compromising the look or the structure.
Speaker 1:Can you give an example?
Speaker 2:Sure. Let's say the initial design calls for a very specific expensive imported stone for the exterior. Value engineering might involve exploring locally sourced stone options that achieve a very similar architectural look and durability, but maybe at half the cost.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay. So it keeps the project on budget without gutting the design intent.
Speaker 2:Precisely. It's a key skill for high level builders. That kind of attention to detail managing both design and cost is likely why they get recognition, like the Best of His Service Award for 2025 mentioned in the sources.
Speaker 1:That makes a lot more sense. It's about smart optimization, not just cheapening out. Okay, so the collaborative method is the philosophy built on process, team, and execution. But the practical tool they use is this trademark sequence the five simple steps.
Speaker 2:Right. This is their Tactical Map designed specifically to take away that overwhelming feeling for the client.
Speaker 1:Let's walk through it. What happens at each step? What does the client need to focus on? Step one, let's talk.
Speaker 2:Okay, step one. It sounds like just a chat, but it's crucial. It's a dedicated listening session. They're gathering the client's ideas, share preferences, how they want to use the space, style.
Speaker 1:But it's more than just dreaming.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah. The key output here is establishing a realistic scope and an initial estimated budget range. They use their experience to immediately connect the client's vision with likely real world costs.
Speaker 1:So aligning the dream with a wallet right from the get go.
Speaker 2:Exactly, before anyone gets too far down the road.
Speaker 1:Okay, that leads into step two: Storyboard Process. This sounds like where the creative work really starts transforming ideas into a poem.
Speaker 2:It is. They take those initial ideas and develop a preliminary schematic floor plan. This is the first time the client sees a drawing of the layout room, placement, flow, general scale.
Speaker 1:Think it takes shape.
Speaker 2:Right. And there are two critical outputs here. First, the design team architect, interior designer is officially selected and starts working based on this schematic. Second, and this is financially vital, the budget estimate gets revised based on this plan.
Speaker 1:Revise how?
Speaker 2:It gets more detailed and crucially, they create a chart of allowances.
Speaker 1:Okay. Chart of allowances. I've heard that term before and it sounds like a potential landmine in custom builds if it's not handled right. Why is it so important?
Speaker 2:It's hugely important for budget control. Allowances are basically placeholders in the budget for items the client hasn't picked out yet. Think flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, tile, countertops.
Speaker 1:The finishes.
Speaker 2:Exactly. In a less structured process, a client might fall in love with super expensive tiles or lighting way down the line, and suddenly the budget explodes.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:The chart of allowances assigns specific budget number to each of those categories upfront based on the preliminary design and overall budget. So if the lighting allowance is say $15,000 and the client later picks out $50,000 worth of fixtures.
Speaker 1:They know immediately they're going over that specific allowance, not just finding out the total cost went up at the end.
Speaker 2:Precisely. It forces those decisions or acknowledges the overage early. It's a major budget protection tool. This is also the stage where they dig into specific site issues codes, maybe tricky structural things related to the lot itself.
Speaker 1:So step two is like the financial reality check and the detailed planning kickoff. Got it. What's next? Step three, rendering to scale.
Speaker 2:Step three is the final refinement before construction. All those selections covered by the allowances, they get finalized, all the specifications get nailed down. This allows the builder to get firm bids from subcontractors.
Speaker 1:So you're moving from allowances to actual costs?
Speaker 2:Exactly. And this semantic plan gets developed into a full set of detailed construction drawings, the official blueprints needed for permits, and for the building crew. The big focus here is making sure everything aligns, maximizing the design, innovation, applying that value engineering we talked about.
Speaker 1:To make sure it all still fits the budget agreed upon back in step two.
Speaker 2:Right. Once everything is dialed in, documented and costed out, the final binding construction agreement is presented to the client.
Speaker 1:Okay so by the end of step three everything is planned, specified, costed and agreed upon. Which leads logically to step four, the big event.
Speaker 2:The big event. This is construction, the physical building phase. The team takes those approved plans and makes them real.
Speaker 1:This is where the hammers swing.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Site management, quality control, coordinating suppliers, keeping things on schedule. This relies heavily on that solid team pillar we discussed. For the client though, if steps one through three were done right, this should actually be the least stressful phase.
Speaker 1:Because all the hard decisions and planning are already locked in.
Speaker 2:Ideally, yes. They can watch the progress without being constantly pulled into crisis management.
Speaker 1:Which brings us to the finish line. Step five, happily ever after. What defines this step besides finishing the house?
Speaker 2:It's the successful conclusion defined by specific metrics. The project is completed on time and on budget. That's benchmark.
Speaker 1:And the result.
Speaker 2:The result is the client getting the home they envisioned, described, drew, and approved, leading to that promised five star review. The whole point is that the process itself, followed rigorously, delivers the desired product and experience.
Speaker 1:That methodical approach definitely sounds like you could reduce the anxiety but provides clarity which seems key. Okay that's a great look at the high end custom build process but let's shift gears like we promised. Let's zoom out for the curious learner. Maybe someone listening dreams of lake life but isn't quite in the Lake LBJ custom build budget range. Where does affordable lakefront property even exist?
Speaker 2:Right. Moving from bespoke luxury to more accessible strategies. Nationally, the advice from the sources is pretty consistent. You generally need to look outside the major metro areas and focus on less developed spots or smaller communities.
Speaker 1:So away from the prime locations?
Speaker 2:Pretty much. For example, finding undeveloped lakefront acreage in states like Montana or Idaho is often way cheaper than buying, say, an ocean view condo in California, or even a developed lot in a hot spot like Lake LBJ. You're trading convenience and established amenities for price.
Speaker 1:That makes intuitive sense. Lower demand, lower development, lower price. What about specifically in Texas? Any pointers there for more economical lakefront options?
Speaker 2:Texas has some good possibilities. Lake Texoma comes up frequently in the sources as a place with more accessible price points. It's a huge lake straddling the Texas Oklahoma border.
Speaker 1:Okay. Texoma. But it's massive, like you said. Yeah. Where on the lake tends to be more affordable.
Speaker 2:Generally, affordability is better towards the southern end of the lake. That area tends to be a bit less developed and further from the main pole of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex compared to the more desirable northern or central parts.
Speaker 1:So look near smaller towns down there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, focusing near towns like Pottsboro or Grand View, maybe looking for existing smaller homes or undeveloped lots, you're likely to find significantly better pricing than you would closer to the big marinas or established resort areas.
Speaker 1:Okay. That's practical advice. Now let's talk investment. If someone finds one of these more economical options, maybe a smaller lake cottage, is that actually a good investment or is it just a lifestyle purchase?
Speaker 2:The sources suggest they're actually quite a solid investment, generally speaking. Lakefront property tends to offer good stability and potential for long term returns.
Speaker 1:Why is that?
Speaker 2:Well, a big factor is scarcity. They aren't making any more natural lakefront. Right? So inventory is inherently limited. Plus, these properties are often attractive as second homes, which can be lower maintenance than a primary residence.
Speaker 2:And critically, there's huge market demand for seasonal or short term rentals in nice lake areas.
Speaker 1:Ah, the rental income potential.
Speaker 2:Exactly. That can provide cash flow and also drives up the overall value. So buyers can often use it, enjoy it, maybe rent it out, and then feel reasonably confident about reselling it later at a higher price. It's seen as stable asset that also provides personal utility.
Speaker 1:Okay, that gives a really well rounded view from the intricacies of the high end custom build to the strategy for finding and investing in more accessible lakefront property. We've covered those two main pillars: that structured step by step approach to managing luxury construction, the five simple steps, and then the more geographical strategic search for affordable lakefront investments.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it's interesting how across all that, the theme personalization keeps coming up, at the high end. That idea that the home has to reflect your style and taste for that five star outcome.
Speaker 1:Right. Moving away from just regional styles.
Speaker 2:Remember how we mentioned that HOA restrictions are a big consideration early on, Especially when deciding whether to build on your own lot or one the builder provides?
Speaker 1:Mhmm, community rules.
Speaker 2:It raises kind of a final interesting question to think about. If the ultimate goal now is this deeply unique personality driven design, how does that square with homeowner association standards? Those standards often dictate things like exterior materials, roof colors, landscaping, very specific stuff.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're designed for conformity usually.
Speaker 2:Exactly. So, does needing to conform to those existing community rules make it fundamentally harder to achieve that truly bespoke five star reflects your unique personality home that the modern luxury market seems to demand? It's a real tension, I think. Something anyone building in a planned community has to grapple with right from the start. How much personalization is actually possible within those constraints?