Built from scratch for the way you actually live.
The hardest part of building a custom home isn't the construction. It's finding a team that listens well enough to get it right. That's where we start.
What It Actually Takes to Build a Custom Home
A custom home is the most complex project most homeowners will ever take on. It's not one decision — it's hundreds of them, made in the right order, across a timeline measured in seasons rather than weeks. Neil Kelly has been designing and building in the Pacific Northwest for 80 years, and we'll tell you what the process demands before you commit to it, not after.
Design and Construction Under One Roof.
Building a custom home means managing an enormous number of decisions across a long timeline. When the designer and the builder are the same team, those decisions stay connected. There's no gap between what was designed and what gets built. Our team carries accountability for all of it.
Designers Who Get to Know You First.
Before any plans are drawn, Neil Kelly's designers work to understand how you actually use your home, what draws you in visually, and what the new house needs to do for your life. That's not a sales step. It's the work that makes the difference between a house that looks right and one that feels right.
Sustainability Credentials That are Real.
Neil Kelly built the first LEED-certified home in the Pacific Northwest and has since completed projects to Passive House, Earth Advantage, and Energy Star standards. If building with lower environmental impact matters to you, those aren't aspirations. They're our track record.
A Five-Year Warranty on a Brand-New Home.
Most builders consider the job done at closing. Neil Kelly's five-year warranty means that if something isn't right after you've moved in, there's someone to call who's accountable for fixing it.
How a Custom Home Gets Built.
Building a custom home involves more decisions than any other project type. Neil Kelly's six-phase process is designed to put the right decisions in front of you at the right time, so nothing gets rushed, nothing gets missed, and you know exactly where things stand from first conversation to final walkthrough.
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01
In-Home Design Consultation
A Neil Kelly designer will meet with you for a free 60-to-90-minute conversation. We'll talk through your vision, your lot, your budget, and your timeline. This is where we figure out whether we're the right fit for each other. No commitment required.
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02
Schematic Design
Floor plan options, site orientation, materials direction, scope confirmation. You'll see how your home could be organized on the lot, work through alternatives, and shape the direction before detailed drawings begin.
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03
Design Development
Full plans, full specs, every material and system selected. This is where your home becomes a complete, permitted set of construction documents and pricing gets finalized.
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04
Fixed-Price Contract
The number you see is the number you pay. Permits filed, materials ordered, schedule set. Building a custom home involves a lot of variables. Our fixed-price contract makes sure none of them become your problem mid-build.
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05
Construction
Built by Neil Kelly's in-house craftspeople. A dedicated project manager runs the site, coordinates every trade, and keeps you updated weekly. You'll always know where your home stands.
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06
Punch List + Warranty
Final walkthrough of every room, every finish, every system. Anything that's not right gets fixed before you move in. Five-year warranty coverage starts on completion.
How Much Will it Cost?
These four things will have the biggest impact on what your custom home actually costs. Knowing them up front helps you make better decisions earlier and explains why two homes that look similar can come in $100,000 apart.
Size and Structrual Complexity
Square footage is the starting point, but how the home is structured matters just as much. Multi-story builds, complex rooflines, cantilevers, and non-standard layouts all carry additional engineering and labor costs. The more structurally ambitious the design, the more it usually costs.
Materials & Finishes
From framing systems to light switch covers, every selection sits somewhere on a spectrum from durable and budget-conscious to fully custom. A designer can help you understand where to invest and where to pull back without sacrificing the result.
Sites Conditions
What's on and under your lot shapes what building there will cost. Slope, soil stability, drainage, access for equipment, and the cost of connecting to utilities all vary significantly from one site to the next. Neil Kelly evaluates your site carefully before pricing so there are as few surprises as possible.
Your Location
Taxes and labor costs vary across Bend, Eugene, Portland, and Seattle, as do permitting fees and inspection requirements.
Custom Home Questions, Answered.
Does Neil Kelly build custom homes?
Yes. Neil Kelly designs and builds custom homes, including the first LEED-certified home in the Western U.S. Their design/build process ensures the team is involved from inspiration through construction completion.
How much does a custom home cost?
Custom home costs vary widely based on size, site conditions, design complexity, and material choices. A high-quality custom home may range from $600 to $800 per square foot or more. Neil Kelly provides project-specific estimates during the design consultation.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
A custom home typically takes 12-24+ months from design through construction completion, depending on complexity, permitting, and site conditions. The design phase alone can take several months.
What is the difference between a custom home and a spec home?
A custom home is designed specifically for you on your land — every detail reflects your vision and needs. A spec home is built by a developer to a standard design, often before a buyer is found. Neil Kelly only builds custom homes.
How does the custom home design process work?
Neil Kelly custom home process follows their design-build model: initial consultation, schematic design, design development, permitting, then construction. A single point of contact leads you through every phase.
Do I need to own land before starting a custom home project?
Yes — Neil Kelly builds on land you own or have under contract. They can advise on site considerations during early conversations, but a site must be identified before design begins.
Working with Neil Kelly in Your Area.
Ready to talk about your custom home plans? Connect with the Neil Kelly team in your area. Each location has its own designers, project managers, and design center.
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Oregon Portland Neil Kelly's flagship home remodeling team, serving Portland since 1947. Original design center on Alberta Street. Get Started in Portland
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Washington Seattle Award-winning home remodelers serving greater Seattle and King County. Get Started in Seattle
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Oregon Eugene Full-service home remodeling for Eugene, Springfield, and the South Willamette Valley. Get Started in Eugene
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Oregon Bend Central Oregon's remodeling specialists. Mountain and high-desert homes. Get Started in Bend
Where Does a Custom Home Start?
With a conversation about your lot, your vision, and what building from the ground up actually involves. A Neil Kelly designer can walk you through the process, the timeline, and what a project like yours typically costs—before you commit to anything.