Your Unique Custom Home Building Experience

Whether you already own a lot, are planning to purchase one, or are considering a Wooddale-exclusive homesite, our homebuilding process begins with a complete understanding of both the land and your vision.

Every homesite is unique. Topography, orientation, zoning, setbacks, utilities, and city requirements all influence what can be built and how a home ultimately comes together. Our team will walk the property with you, review surveys and available documentation, and connect directly with the city as needed to confirm feasibility and building parameters.

At the same time, we begin discussing your goals, priorities, and the type of home you envision so we can ensure the land and your ideas align from the start.

At Wooddale, we prioritize transparency around cost and capabilities. We meet with homeowners for an in-depth design and planning conversation, during which we discuss overall design direction, desired amenities, budget expectations, and target timeline. We review photos of previous Wooddale builds, custom plans, and model homes to clarify style, scale, and layout preferences.

Then, we prepare preliminary pricing. This gives a realistic understanding of where the project may land from a cost perspective, allowing everyone to move forward with clarity before detailed design begins.

This is where your home begins to take shape, integrating any ideas you have for exteriors, layout, or architectural style.

Here, we develop a full floor plan and exterior concept. Wooddale Builders works with talented in-house draftspeople and partners with leading Twin Cities architects, depending on the needs of your project. 

We present an initial draft of the plan and exterior, then meet regularly to review, refine, and revise the design together. 

Because details matter, we focus on refining the interior architecture and design direction of your home.

We encourage homeowners to share inspirational ideas as we review samples and walk through the home room by room.

During this phase, we define elements such as cabinetry style and configuration, interior doors, trim and molding profiles, built-ins, ceiling details, fireplace surrounds, and other architectural features that establish the overall interior vision.

Once plans and interior design direction are complete, we revisit pricing to confirm alignment with expectations and budget. Then, we send the finalized plans and construction specifications out to bid with Wooddale’s trusted network of subcontractors. 

As pricing is returned, we review the full scope, refine any items as needed, and adjust where appropriate. This process provides a detailed, finalized construction price that reflects current market costs and the specific details of your custom home.

With pricing finalized, plans and specifications move into engineering review and are submitted to the city for permitting. 

At the same time, we prepare the construction agreement and, if applicable, the homesite purchase agreement. Once permits are approved and agreements are executed, the project is fully defined and ready to move into construction.

Homeowners are introduced to Wooddale Builders’ interior design team, who will guide them through the full selections process. This team works closely with both the homeowner and the construction team to ensure all selections are thoughtfully coordinated with the design and accurately integrated into the plans. 

The selections process typically begins with major items such as appliances, often before design is fully complete, to ensure proper fit, clearances, and functionality. 

As construction gets underway, homeowners attend a series of scheduled appointments at Wooddale’s partner showrooms and with trusted trade partners to finalize finishes and materials. These selections include flooring, cabinetry finishes and stains, countertops, tile, plumbing and lighting fixtures, fireplaces, stone, and other key design elements.

As construction begins, homeowners are introduced to their dedicated field supervisor and project manager, the team members who will oversee your custom build from start to finish.

Your project team will review the construction process, communication flow, and what to expect throughout the build. You will also receive an estimated construction schedule that outlines major milestones from excavation through final walkthroughs.

This is where we bring all critical details into sharp focus. Homeowners return to the Wooddale Builders office for a series of detailed walkthrough meetings with key trade partners.

These meetings typically include reviewing cabinetry, electrical, and millwork. Together, we confirm layouts, locations, configurations, and specifications to ensure every detail is accurate and fully coordinated before work is executed in the field.

This step is crucial for eliminating assumptions, aligning all parties, and ensuring precision at every level.

As construction is completed, we host a final walkthrough to officially introduce you to your new home.

We review finishes, systems, and craftsmanship while also walking through the day-to-day operations of the home. This includes lighting and switch locations, AV and technology systems, mechanicals, and other features specific to your home so you feel confident from day one.

We then review warranty coverage, documentation, and ongoing support. Wooddale’s partnership with you doesn’t end at move-in. We remain a long-term resource, standing behind our work and ensuring your home continues to perform as intended.