HOW WE WORK
From Land to Home
A structured, transparent process that takes you from land identification to move-in day with no surprises, no fragmented communication, and one accountable team at every step.
01
Discovery
WEEK 1
We start with a deep conversation about your vision, lifestyle, land, and budget. This is where we listen — not pitch. We review your parcel, discuss feasibility, and establish whether HRH Development is the right partner for your project.
KEY DELIVERABLES
Project intake questionnaire
Site and land review
Initial budget range discussion
Mutual fit assessment
02
Feasibility & Planning
WEEK 2–4
If you have land, we conduct a formal feasibility review — zoning, setbacks, septic suitability, topography, access, and utilities. We also begin programming: how many bedrooms, how do you use your home, what spaces matter most to you.
KEY DELIVERABLES
Land feasibility report
Preliminary program summary
Preliminary cost range
Project schedule framework
03
Conceptual Design
WEEK 4–10
Our design team develops conceptual massing, site placement, and floor plan options. We present two to three conceptual directions, then refine based on your feedback until we have a design direction you're genuinely excited about.
KEY DELIVERABLES
Site plan options
Floor plan concepts
Exterior elevation sketches
3D visualization
04
Design Development
Week 10–12
With a design direction approved, we develop full architectural drawings. Structural engineering, MEP coordination, and material selections happen in this phase. Budget is refined and locked before we move to documents.
KEY DELIVERABLES
Full architectural drawings
Structural engineering
MEP coordination
Material and finish schedule
Locked pre-construction budget
05
Permitting
MONTH 3–5
We prepare and submit all permit applications — building, health department, DOT, environmental as required. Our team attends hearings and manages agency communications. Timeline varies by municipality; we start this process early to protect your schedule.
KEY DELIVERABLES
All permit applications submitted
Agency responses managed
Hearing representation
Building permit secured
06
Construction
MONTH 5–18+
Groundbreaking to move-in. Our project management team coordinates all subcontractors, enforces quality standards, and keeps you informed with weekly reports and site visits. You have one dedicated point of contact throughout.
KEY DELIVERABLES
Subcontractor procurement
Weekly progress reports
Quality control inspections
Budget and schedule monitoring
Final walkthrough and punch list
Common Questions
How long does the entire process take?+
From initial consultation to move-in, most custom home projects with HRH Development take 14–24 months depending on design complexity, permitting timeline, and construction scope. We provide a project-specific schedule during feasibility.
Do I need to own land before reaching out?+
No. Many of our clients come to us while they're still land searching. We can help evaluate prospective parcels before you make an offer — saving you from a costly purchase that can't support your vision.
What does a design-build contract look like?+
We structure our work in phases, with separate agreements for design services and construction. This protects clients who decide not to build after design, and gives us the ability to update pricing as design evolves.
How do you handle budget overruns?+
Our design-build model is built to prevent them. We model costs from the earliest conceptual stages and don't advance a design past any phase until the budget is confirmed. If scope changes mid-construction, we issue a formal change order before any work proceeds.
What geographic area do you serve?+
We primarily work in the Hudson Valley and Catskill region — including Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene, and Orange counties. We occasionally take projects further afield for the right client.
Do you work on renovations or additions?+
Yes, selectively. We take on renovation and addition projects that are architecturally complex or require the same level of design attention as a new build. Cosmetic renovations are generally outside our scope.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
The first step is a no-pressure consultation. Tell us about your project and we'll tell you exactly how we can help.