Urban Custom Home Builders PROCESS
Clear. Collaborative. Built for the Gulf Coast.
Building a custom home—or diving into a full home remodel—can feel overwhelming at first. There are a lot of moving parts, big decisions, and the kind of details you don’t want slipping through the cracks. We get it.
That’s why our process is designed to take the pressure off. It’s straightforward, flexible, and built on open communication from start to finish. We’ll walk you through the what, the why, and the when—so you’re never left guessing. Whether you’re bringing your own plans to the table or looking for a design-build partner to guide the whole thing, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
From our first conversation to your final walkthrough, you’ll have a clear path, a dedicated team, and the tools to stay informed every step of the way.
Here’s how we work:
01
Initial Consultation
It all starts with a conversation. We’ll meet you at your lot (or tour one of our current builds) to walk through what to expect and get a feel for what you’re looking for. Whether you already have plans or you’re just starting to explore, this is where we start building trust, gathering info, and talking through your goals, budget, and timeline.
02
Choose Your Path
We work with two types of clients:
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You have a complete set of plans: Great! We’ll review them and provide a construction estimate based on your design, site conditions, and material preferences.
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You need help with land and design: We’ve got you covered. If you’re still deciding on a lot or need help with planning, we’ll guide you through every due diligence step—surveying, wetlands studies, geotechnical investigations, utility checks, and zoning requirements.
In both cases, we help you get clarity on feasibility, timeline, and cost before you commit.
03
Design & Budget Alignment
If you’re working with us through the design-build process, this is where the collaboration really begins. We team up with experienced designers and architects (yours or ours) to start shaping your floor plan and scope. Throughout this phase, our job is to make sure your vision stays aligned with your budget.
Once the preliminary design is ready, we’ll provide a detailed estimate so you can make any final tweaks before locking things in.
04
Pre-Construction Prep
Once the design and budget are finalized, we get to work behind the scenes—ordering materials, securing permits, and building out your construction schedule in CoConstruct. We’ll also help coordinate directly with our network of professional trades if you’re paying them directly for surveys, studies, or permitting fees.
This is where everything starts coming together and the foundation for your project is officially in motion.
05
Construction
Here’s where the magic happens. Your project is fully scheduled in CoConstruct, so you’ll always have access to the latest updates, files, invoices, daily work logs, and project photos. Whether you’re local or checking in from out of town, you’ll know exactly what’s happening—no guesswork, no chasing down updates.
We manage every detail, coordinate with our trades, and keep the project moving. You’ll see the progress, and we’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way.
06
Completion & Walk-Through
Once construction is finished, we’ll walk the project with you, review all final details, and make sure everything meets your expectations. We’re not done until you're thrilled.
Because we use a Cost-Plus contract, you’ll always have full visibility into where your investment is going, and the peace of mind that nothing’s hidden behind the scenes.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home?
For a typical 2,500 square foot home, construction usually takes around 12 months. But before we break ground, there’s important prep work that helps the entire process run smoothly.
The preliminary design and budgeting phase takes about 2–3 months. After that, we move into final design and estimating, which adds another 1–2 months. Our job is to help guide your design toward a realistic budget and timeline, so when it’s time to build, everything’s ready to roll.
How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Home in Pensacola?
Most full home remodels follow a similar early timeline as our custom builds. The design and budgeting phase typically takes 2–3 months, followed by another 1–2 months for final plans and estimating.
Once we’re ready to build, the construction phase for a whole home remodel usually takes about 8 months. As always, our team works closely with you to keep everything on schedule and aligned with your budget, so you know exactly what to expect and when.
Do I Need to Have Land or Plans Before Hiring a Custom Home Builder?
Nope!
Some of our clients come to us with a full set of architectural plans and a lot ready to go. Others are just starting to explore options and need help figuring out where to begin. Either way, we can help.
If you already have a design, we’ll review it and provide a detailed estimate. If you’re still looking for land or need a design partner, we’ll walk you through every step of due diligence—like surveying, zoning, wetlands, and utilities—and help connect you with trusted architects and designers if needed.
We’ll meet you wherever you are in the process and help move things forward with clarity and confidence.
Where We Work
Urban is proud to serve Pensacola and the surrounding areas. If you live in or around Pensacola, we'd be happy to talk about your custom home or home renovation project!
- Pensacola
- Chandelle
- Gulf Breeze
- Woodlawn Beach
- Tiger Point
- Navarre
- Pace
- Perdido Key
- Pensacola Beach
- Milton
John E.
Chris Vail is unlike many contractors that I've ever worked with, and as a real estate professional that has worked with him on a number of projects, his approach is refreshing and appreciated. He is attentive and conscientious of his clients' wants and needs, and will go to great lengths to accommodate them. He is communicative, and has implemented software tools to bring more transparency into the building process - simplifying the selection process for a custom build and allowing clients to see the progress even if they're living afar. I am proud of every Urban Infill project I've been involved in!
Jennifer K.
When we were ready to build our second home in Florida, we contacted Chris and Urban Infill. We had met with multiple companies but Chris seemed to best understand what we wanted for our home, so we chose Urban Infill.
Chris spent significant time speaking with us to understand our needs and help prepare us for the journey ahead. He provided excellent design suggestions and was patient with us while helping to select the best materials to achieve the outcome we desired. The team at Urban Infill was very friendly and exceeded our expectations throughout the process. Who knew building a home could be stress-free? Our new home was completed on time and is absolutely beautiful thanks to Chris and Urban Infill!
Misty W.
I first met Chris of Urban Infill at a charity event in 2016 when I was contemplating building a home from scratch. Meeting Chris turned out to be a huge blessing. I had a very specific idea of what I wanted and Chris helped me improve upon it. He gave me some amazing ideas that I hadn't considered, and suggested some changes to my original idea that ended up being 1000% better. His extensive knowledge and professionalism made it easy to choose his company to do the job. I would say that I would use Urban Infill again, except that I won’t need to!
