Our Process as Custom Home Builders in Rochester, MN
Every detail is built around your vision, blending luxury, comfort, and craftsmanship.
Built on Trust, Designed for You
At R Fleming, we have spent decades working within the local community to perfect our process so you can get the perfect home without the headache. Beyond the dialled-in logistics, our process is built on three core values that guarantee results: Trust, Transparency, and Communication.
Trust
- Local Rochester Builder since 1988
- Family-owned business
- Fully in-house team you can meet with in-person
Transparency
- Design and budget simultaneously
- Expertly-managed contractors stay on time and on budget
Communication
- Honest, helpful updates and reminders
- Know the big picture before committing
- Access construction updates 24/7
Our Proven Process
Custom Home Builds - a Detailed Breakdown
Want to learn more about the logistics? Here’s the full process on how to build a custom home.
– Jason Halvorson, Designer
Discovery Session
Meet with us to talk through our process, exchange ideas, and see if we’re a good fit. No pressure, no cost or commitment.
Inspiration
List your dream ideas, define your vision, and start designing your perfect home. “We’ll sit with you and work through the process… We can come up with ideas that, maybe, neither one of us started out with, but it works out. That happens a lot, actually — we bounce ideas off of each other in these meetings, and that’s why it’s so important.”
Budget
We’ll help achieve the best version of your vision within your budget. Since we handle so much in-house and focus on transparency, our estimates are highly accurate.
Lot Acquisition
Our in-house team matches your new lot with your house floorplan so you can be sure to have the design flexible you need, and we can combine the two for simpler paperwork.
Design Agreement
This ends the conversation phase and starts our formal agreement. Financial commitment begins, and detailed designs begin.
Design Phase
Bidding Process
We’ve worked with a select team of contractors for several decades, for everything from flooring to plumbing. We’ll work with them to get competitive bids and present you with the full picture. You’ll approve the agreements, the details, and the final cost.
Building
After bids are approved, construction begins. You’ll get responsive communication from our team, and you can follow every step 24/7 in the Buildertrend app.
Construction Collaboration
Certain decisions will need to be made throughout the build, but we promise you’ll have enough time and information to make good decisions without stressing over them for too long.
“There’s 100-percent transparency through the whole process… it’s just very refreshing for everybody.”
Final Walk-through
At this point, your custom home — once just an idea, or a few lines in a computer program — stands tall and proud. Just building the home, though, isn’t enough for us: we need to make sure everything is right for you. Before we hand over the keys, we’ll search for imperfections throughout the entire house. If we find something that’s off, we’ll fix it. It’s that simple.
Welcome Home
Home Warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a custom home?
A custom home can often be built in about a year or less. Once you have the discovery meeting with us, we’ll usually be able to estimate roughly how long the whole build will take. Once we get to the Design Agreement, Design, and bidding phases, everything will become even more specific as the details are all finalized.
How does it take to design a custom home?
The design phase can take anywhere from 2 months to 12 months, depending on the project. Client preferences, preference changes, and the complexity of the build all play a part. However, while the design time varies from house to house, we are almost always one of the most efficient builders because of our fully in-house team.
Do I have to manage the subcontractors?
No, we’ll manage all the construction work in the “Construction Collaboration” phase. We’ll get all the bids, manage the agreements, schedule and manage the work, and ensure everything is done according to plan, on time, and to the highest standards possible.
Does R. Fleming outsource the drafting of architectural designs or building plans?
R Fleming is the only custom home builder in Rochester that has an exclusive, in-house draftsman and designer. Most other homebuilders contract out to one of only a few other draftsman in town, resulting in a lot of reused design styles across other home builders, additional financial risk and design confusion, and less transparency in pricing.
When you work with R Fleming, your house will be designed, quoted, and managed all in one spot. You’ll manage the whole picture all at once, without coming up with design ideas and then going back to the drawing board after realizing the price wouldn’t match your budget.
What differentiates R Fleming from other custom home builders in Rochester, MN?
There are many things that differentiate R Fleming from other builders in the area. First, R Fleming is the oldest custom home builder in the area, founded in 1988. This showcases exceptional reputation in the local community, enduring quality and expertise, and the ability to stay current and competitive in today’s markets.
Second, we manage the entire custom building process in-house with our exclusive designer, Jason. This means you get your design changes done faster, you always make decisions based on both dreams and budget, and you don’t have to worry about communication errors or misalignment between your builder and the draftsman.
Third, we manage your budget better than any other builder in Rochester, meaning the price you agree to upfront is the price you’ll pay for the house. We hold all contractors to agreed upon terms, with tight controls on allowances to protect your money.
Does R Fleming carry the construction loan or do I need to secure my own?
Can R Fleming help me sell my old house?
Yes, our expert in-house real estate team can help you sell your old house.
Does R Fleming have lots to sell? Can you help me buy a piece of land for my new home?
Yes, we have exclusive lots available in several prime subdivisions, and we can also help you select and purchase a new lot as well, almost anywhere in Rochester.
This isn’t just a convenience option; some people purchase a plot of land and then start to build on it a year or two down the road, only to realize the style of home they want doesn’t work with the lot they already purchased.
R Fleming can help you select the perfect lot to fit your home so you don’t get stuck with a beautiful piece of land that restricts the custom home you want to build.
Ready to Build Your Dream Home?
For decades, we’ve been proud to serve Rochester and the surrounding area with custom homes that combine artistry, quality, and functionality. When you’re ready to build your forever home, we’re here to bring your vision to life.