Designing Your Custom Home: What to Expect in the Early Stages

Designing your dream home is one of the most exciting stages of the building process. By this point, you’ve selected your lot, your architect, and possibly your interior designer, and now it’s time to bring your vision to life.

At Heart Construction, we’ve guided countless homeowners through this stage, and we know that thoughtful planning early on can make all the difference in how smoothly the rest of your build goes. Here’s what you can expect during the early design phase of your new custom home.

1. Start With Your Vision

Before meeting your architect, you should already have a “want list” , ideas, inspiration images, and notes about how you live. Think about how you move through your day, how you entertain, what views or natural light you want to capture, and which spaces are most important to you. These details help your architect and interior designer craft a home that fits not just your style, but your lifestyle.

2. The Concept Phase

Your first meeting with your architect will focus on the conceptual plan , translating your ideas, budget, and priorities into an initial floor plan. This is the time to dream big, explore layouts, and discuss what’s realistic for your budget.
If you already have a general contractor, involve them early. A builder like Heart Construction can provide valuable insight into how design decisions impact cost and constructability , ensuring your design vision aligns with your financial goals.

3. Refining the Plans

Once your conceptual plan is approved, your architect will move into the CAD drawing phase , developing detailed floor plans and exterior elevations. You’ll start to see what your home will truly look like.
This is the ideal time to make adjustments. Changes are simple and affordable on paper , but once construction begins, even small modifications can lead to significant costs or delays.

4. Collaboration Between Builder, Architect, and Designer

In a successful project, your architect, builder, and designer work hand-in-hand. This collaboration ensures that design intent, budget, and materials all align seamlessly. At Heart Construction, we pride ourselves on bridging design and construction through a design-build approach, allowing for better communication and fewer surprises during the build.

5. Permitting & Approvals

Once you approve the final design, your architect will submit plans to your local municipality for review. These plans will include structural engineering, electrical, mechanical, and elevation drawings. While that process unfolds, it’s a great time to begin making finish selections — especially for items with long lead times like windows, doors, cabinets, or fixtures.

6. Preparing for Construction

With approved plans and your finish selections in place, your general contractor can provide accurate pricing and a clear construction schedule. If you’re using a construction loan, these finalized plans and budgets will be necessary for your lender. Once permits are issued, construction can officially begin , and your dream home starts to take shape.

Final Thoughts

Building a custom home is a journey , one that starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. By assembling the right team early and being intentional in your planning, you set the tone for a smooth, successful build.

At Heart Construction, we partner with homeowners, architects, and designers across Los Angeles to craft homes that are built with integrity, precision, and heart.

If you’re beginning your design journey, we’d love to be part of your team.
📞 Contact us today to discuss your upcoming project.