A Quick Overview of Our Process

(For a detailed breakdown, see the full process explanation below.)

1. Vision & Discovery Meetings

We evaluate whether your vision aligns with your budget and investment goals.

• Discuss your must-haves, wants, and deal-breakers
• Review any inspirational materials to better understand your vision

2. Concept Design & Agreement (Fee Based)

A preliminary brochure-style plan is created, including:

• Front and rear elevations
• Floor plan layouts for each finished level

We then provide a “No Less Than” Estimated Ballpark Cost. If acceptable, we proceed to the next phase.

• Includes initial design planning, feasibility study, and boundary surveys

3. Pre-Construction & Preliminary Building Agreement (PBA)              (Fee Based)

This phase fully develops the final design and true project cost through:

• Defining and documenting the full project scope
• Obtaining trade partner and supplier bids
• Finalizing selections and specifications
• Completing architectural, civil, and engineering plans

At the end of this phase, we provide a comprehensive construction proposal to ensure informed decision-making.

• Permitting can take 2-3+ months
• Offering an opportunity for value engineering (cost-saving adjustments or upgrades)

We ask:
Would you rather know the true cost upfront, or face surprises once construction begins? Wouldn’t you rather build the airplane on the ground before it tries to fly?

4. Secure Financing

Once the proposal is approved, you can finalize financing with your lender. (See our Learning Center for financing options.)

5. Construction

With a Fixed-Price Contract in place, we begin:

• Site preparation & material ordering
• Clear communication via BuilderTrend, our 24/7 online portal for:
  • Schedules, messaging, budgets, selections, photos/videos, and progress tracking
• Regular onsite meetings ensure no detail is missed

6. Handover & Quality Control

A 300+ point quality control inspection takes place over two weeks.

• Final walkthrough and key handover
• Detailed home orientation & maintenance guidance

7. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Any outstanding items from handover will be addressed promptly.

• A 4th quarter review (8-10 months after move-in) ensures any additional concerns are resolved.
• We stand by our work and value long-term relationships with our homeowners.

A Detailed Explanation Of Our Process

Phase 1: Pre-Construction Planning

2-Way Qualification

We get started by asking and answering a few basic questions to ensure that we are not only a proper fit for each other, but that we all feel that the project can be completed successfully once we have the necessary information on both sides.

• What neighborhoods are you interested in living and lot size?
• If you already own a lot, we can design a home specifically for it.
• What type of home do you want to build?
• Is it feasible to build what you want, where you want to live?
• Are you familiar with local Impact Taxes for newly developed properties?  This can be a big surprise!
• What is your intended level of investment (your budget)?
  • Review our post in the Learning Center on our site for important information regarding clearly defined budgets.
• What types of materials to you want to use in the construction?
• How will the project be funded?
• What fears do you have about the building process and what are the most important aspects of the process to you and your family.
• Review lot setbacks and coverage so that we can design a home that meets the local requirements.
• Discuss Planning, Permitting and Construction Timeline.

Lot Search:

• Locating the right lot is often the hardest part of the entire process. Working with Ambition Custom Homes you will have the opportunity to work with our Award-Winning Real estate Liaison Ana Dubin with Remax’s Dart Homes.  Finding the right property is not well suited for every agent.  It is a special niche and contains a ton of fine details and nuances that many are not aware of.
• If you know the neighborhoods that you are interested in, we will also send out letters to owners within them to see if anyone is interested in selling their home without going to market and listed on the MLS. Often, homes that are on the MLS and open market have already been viewed by other local builders and deemed undesirable to build on.  By working with Ambition Custom Homes to review these listings, we will be able to guide you in completing your own feasibility study before you decide to make an offer.
• If you already have your own lot, this is preferred, and we will plan appropriately to build on your lot.
• Feasibility Study. During this short timeframe we will have our surveyor determine the size of a home that will best fit the lot.
• Is the property Raw Land or does it have an existing dwelling on it already that can be taken down?  Raw land requires Impact Taxes for development to be paid before a building permit can be released.
• Ambition Custom Homes along with our realtor will review and put together the lot contract with you.
• Ambition Custom Homes has relationships with several Banking institutions that offer great products for Lot Loans that can be rolled into the Construction loan and then into your final loan for the project.

Discovery:

• This is when we do a Deep Dive into the details of the project.
• We will meet to thoroughly discuss your intentions for the project
• Review your pre-developed list of:
  • Needs (you absolutely NEED to have these included); you would NOT move forward without these items or details.
  • Wants (Really WANT these items IF they fit into the design and budgets)
  • Wish List (Items that would be desired to include IF your budgets and design allows it after “needs” and “wants” have been managed)
• Review the Concept and Design Agreement and moving into the next steps.

Our Agreements and Contract Stages

Our agreements, pricing, and descriptions below are estimated and listed here to provide a ballpark for the preliminary planning cost for both New Construction and Renovation projects as our clients progress through our process and agreements.

1. Concepts & Design Agreement (CDA)

The first step in building your custom home is the Concept & Design Agreement (CDA), which initiates the design process. This stage includes:

• A basic floor plan drawing.
• 2D renderings of the exterior elevations
  • Color renderings can be provided using AI software
• A “No Less Than” estimated cost upon design approval.
  • This is the lowest price we feel the project would cost based on these concept drawings and the information that we have up to this point.

The CDA is a paid phase, typically around $6,000-$8,000, depending on design complexity and architect selection. We begin with a 2-3 hour design meeting at our office to discuss overall vision, desires, and budget. We then collaborate with top architectural firms, each with unique styles, to procure a proposal for their work and to start developing these concept drawings. This process may take several weeks.

Once a preliminary plan is ready, we review it together to ensure it aligns with your vision. If approved, we can then provide a “No Less Than” estimate. Upon finalizing the design and signing an Architectural Design Agreement, the architect will create detailed working drawings for the next phase: the Preliminary Building Agreement.

2. Preliminary Building Agreement (PBA)

The PBA process ensures true, accurate costs before construction begins. This phase allows us to:

• Develop working architectural and civil drawings.
• Finalize your customized selection choices for pricing.
• Obtain bids from our trusted trade partners and suppliers.
• Deliver a Fixed Price proposal before signing a construction contract and getting started.

This stage requires significant expertise and time from each professional involved, with costs starting at approximately $40,000+ for new homes, varying based on design complexity, site conditions, and professional fees (Architect, Civil/Structural Engineers, Designers, etc.). If the project does not proceed, all developed information remains yours.

When it comes to renovations and additions, it’s hard to estimate considering the vast differences between project scopes.  ACH’s Fee for these types of projects at this phase is between $2,000-$8,000 plus the remaining professional fees (Architect, Civil/Structural Engineers, Designers, etc.)

The PBA phase takes 5-12+ months for New Homes and less time in most cases for Renovations.

This phase could include:

• Architectural, civil, and structural engineering work. (If ACH is part of the design process)
• ACH fees for project development (~50+ hours of work).
• Civil engineering fieldwork for detailed planning and permitting. (If ACH is part of the design process)
• Any outside designer assistance.

Once the design elements (rooms, layouts, etc.) are clear, the selection process begins. Clients can choose materials and finishes through our trusted vendors. Many chose to hire independent designers for guidance, while others chose to use our available showroom resources or our ACH standard inclusions.  If you do not have ample time to travel around to our various showrooms or the confidence to work on the custom design elements and choosing the fixtures and finishes for your project on your own, we can recommend great designers that can assist you with these finishes.

Upon finalizing permit-ready plans, we provide a comprehensive fixed-price construction proposal, ensuring transparency and avoiding unexpected costs. This structured approach builds trust and allows for material orders and trade scheduling before construction begins, greatly reducing potential delays.

3. Fixed Price Proposal & Construction Contract

With all necessary documents, scope of work, selections, and final costs in place, we prepare a detailed construction proposal for review. This includes:

• Fixed Price (unchanged unless you alter the scope or selections).
• Scope of Work (SOW): Clearly defines inclusions—if it’s not listed, it’s not included.
• Value Engineering Options: Cost-saving opportunities or additional upgrades.
• Architectural, Civil, & Structural Plans
• Approved Selection Choices
• Allowance Items: Some items (e.g., countertops, landscaping, lighting, fencing, and lumber) will typically remain as open allowances, with estimates based on historical data or categories reviewed.

We understand that changes may arise during construction. Our system allows for flexibility through variation change orders, ensuring there are no hidden surprises.

Project Management & Transparency

We use BuilderTrend, our online project management system, to provide full visibility into your home’s construction. Through BuilderTrend, you can:

• Track progress with real-time updates and stage completions.
• View and approve changes, selections, and costs.
• Access detailed schedules, trade partner timelines, and budget status.
• Follow along with photos and updates, keeping family and friends involved.

This system eliminates common communication issues and ensures complete transparency, keeping your project on schedule and budget.

By following this structured approach, Ambition Custom Homes delivers a seamless, well-managed, and stress-free building experience with no financial surprises.

Phase 2: Construction Permits

List of the Residence Permits Required:

Demolition (Bond Req.)

• Ensure that the lot is clear of debris and other health hazard materials, and that any existing utility connections have been terminated and sealed.
• A Bond will need to be posted to obtain this permit to start. Repaid after final inspection approval by the county.

Building

• Generally, takes between 6 to 8 weeks to obtain. But can take longer in certain cases and areas.
• The Civil Engineering Package is needed for any Land Development Permits
• Typically submitted by the Architecture firm involved.

Sediment Control (Bond Req.)

• Sediment Control is intended to prevent sediment from leaving a construction site during construction activity through fencing and other drainage and barrier details required by the governing municipality.
• We must have approved erosion, sediment control and storm water management plans before any construction begins.
• This approval process typically runs in line with the building permit approvals…but not always.
• A Bond will need to be posted to obtain this permit to start. Repaid after final inspection approval by the county.

Right-of-Way (Bond Req.)

• Required when digging or excavating anywhere within the county owned right-of-way, installation or replacement of utility lines or conduits, erection of utility poles, removing or replacing curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway aprons or other public improvements.
• A Bond will need to be posted to obtain this permit to start.  Repaid after final inspection approval by the county.

Phase 3: Construction

Once the Fixed-Price Contract is signed, all permits are approved, and our team is ready to begin, construction will commence. On average, building a new home takes 6-12 months, depending on:

• Home size and design complexity
• Specific selections and customizations
• Weather conditions
• Supply chain factors

Project Management & Communication

Ambition Custom Homes uses BuilderTrend, our project management platform, to streamline:

• Job reporting and scheduling
• Change order management
• Messaging and updates

Clients receive real-time access to project details, ensuring transparency and ease of communication.

On-Site Supervision & Quality Control

• A site manager oversees daily operations, ensuring efficiency and quality.
• Inspections are conducted at key phases by both the site manager and trade foremen.
• Questions or concerns are addressed promptly by our team.

We actively involve homeowners throughout the build to ensure their vision is met. Everything from electrical layouts to closet design is reviewed to guarantee no detail is missed.

Construction Stages and Milestones

Stage 1: Site Preparation

• Installation of required sediment controls (county-inspected)
• Demolition, clearing, and excavation
• Footing and foundation installation
• Dust and other containment barriers for renovation projects
• Temporary Toilet brought on site

Stage 2: Framing

• Structural framing and roof installation
• Installation of stairs, windows, and exterior doors

Stage 3: M.E.P. (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Rough-In

• Heating and air conditioning installation
• Plumbing and electrical rough-in
• Fire protection sprinkler system installation
• Audio, alarm, and smart home wiring

Stage 4: Concealment

• Insulation and drywall installation
• Exterior siding and finishes

Stage 5: Finishes

• Hardwood, tile, and flooring installation
• Interior trim, millwork, and cabinetry
• Painting and final interior finishes
• Exterior concrete, patios, and driveways
• Landscaping and yard stabilization (sod or seed)
• Final inspections and Use & Occupancy approvals

Stage 6: Quality Control Review

• A 300+ point inspection ensures our high standards are met
• This process typically takes one-two weeks

Stage 7: Handover & Final Completion

• Final homeowner walkthrough and orientation
• Delivery of keys and home documentation
• Utility service setup guidance (one month before settlement)

Utility Providers:

• WSSC (Water)
• Pepco or Potomac Edison (Electric)
• Washington Gas
• Xfinity / Verizon FiOS / other (Internet & Cable)
• Alarm system provider (or we can recommend one)

Our Commitment to Quality & Satisfaction

At Ambition Custom Homes, we don’t just build houses—we create dream homes. Our process ensures a smooth, stress-free experience with complete transparency, quality assurance, and lasting client relationships.

Phase 4: Post-Construction

At Ambition Custom Homes, we stand by our work long after construction is complete. Every home we build includes a comprehensive warranty to ensure it remains in top condition. Additionally, any outstanding punch list items noted during the orientation walkthrough will be addressed promptly. We also conduct a one-year punch list review in the fourth quarter of ownership to identify and complete any necessary repairs or touch-ups.

Warranty Coverage

1-2-5 Warranty

• Cosmetic (1 Year): For one year from the Effective Date, the home is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship, as defined in the Performance Standards and subject to stated exclusions.
• Operating Systems (2 Years): For two years from the Effective Date, the home is warranted against defects in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation, and mechanical systems.
• Structural (5 Years): For five years from the Effective Date, the home is warranted against major structural defects.

Punch List Process

New homes often require minor adjustments during the first year as they settle. These changes result from the natural movement of materials and the homeowner’s lifestyle. To ensure a smooth post-construction experience, we differentiate between service work and warranty work:

• Service Work: Critical issues requiring immediate attention, such as malfunctioning door handles, garage door failures, or mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) issues. Homeowners should contact the relevant trade partner directly while keeping Ambition Custom Homes informed. This direct communication helps resolve issues more quickly than if we act as an intermediary.
• Warranty Work: Non-urgent repairs that are best addressed after the home has gone through seasonal changes. Homeowners should maintain a detailed list of these items and submit it in the fourth quarter of ownership.

Scheduling and Repairs

Once we receive the homeowner’s punch list, we will:

1. Review the list and determine necessary repairs or modifications.
2. Procure materials and schedule the appropriate trade partners.
3. Arrange two consecutive workdays at a time convenient for the homeowner.

Homeowners must either be physically present during the repairs or provide full access to our team. Our management personnel will oversee the process, meeting tradespeople in the morning, reviewing list items for clarity, and remaining available as needed throughout the day, but will not be on site throughout the entire workday.

At Ambition Custom Homes, our goal is to ensure every home remains in peak condition long after construction is complete.