Is Ceci Bates
the Right Fit?
Building a custom home is a significant commitment — of resources, of time, and of trust. Not every builder is right for every client, and not every client is right for every builder. We believe in being direct about how we work, what we expect of ourselves, and what the process requires of the people we work with. If what you read here feels like it was written for you, it probably was.
The Owners We Serve Best
We work best with owners who see a custom home as a long-term commitment — not a transaction but a decision that will shape how they live for years or decades to come. These are people who think carefully about lasting value, who consider the home they are building not just for the way they live today but for the way it will serve them and the people they care about over time.
We work best with owners who value clarity and structure in the process. The right client is not someone who wants to make every decision alone — nor someone who wants to hand them off entirely. She wants to understand the process, know where her money is going, and feel confident that the team around her is managing the complexity so she does not have to.
We work best with owners who value the team behind the work. The right client recognizes that a beautiful home is the product of coordinated expertise — an architect, an interior designer, a structural engineer, and a builder working together — not the result of hiring the cheapest contractor and hoping for the best.
We work best with owners who are building a home around how they actually want to live. The right client is not looking for the most impressive home on the street. She is looking for a home designed around her morning routine, her way of gathering, the view she wants from the kitchen, and the feeling she wants when she walks through the door.
If you recognize yourself in these descriptions, Ceci Bates was built for someone like you.
What the Process
Asks of You
Our process is designed to protect you — but it works best when you are an active participant, not a passive observer. Here is what we ask of the people we work with:
The first conversation is about how you want to live. We will ask questions — about your morning, your weekends, the way you gather, the spaces you have loved in other homes. The more openly you share, the more precisely the design will reflect what you actually want.
Our process stages decisions across the timeline so you face only what is relevant to the current phase. But when it is time to make a decision, we need you to engage — to review the options, ask questions, and approve with confidence. The interior designer and the project team are there to guide you, not to decide for you.
Once the plans are approved and the budget is confirmed, the team executes. The superintendents are on-site every day. The documentation captures every phase. We communicate regularly and transparently. What we ask in return is the trust to do the work the way we know it should be done — without micromanagement but with full visibility.
A custom home designed from scratch — with full architectural plans, structural engineering, material selection, and pre-construction planning — is not built in ninety days. The design phase alone can take ten to twelve weeks. The process is thorough because thoroughness protects the result. If speed is more important than precision, we may not be the right fit.
What You Might
Be Wondering
The Investment
Custom homes at Ceci Bates are designed and built from scratch — with a dedicated architect, a full-time interior designer, a structural engineer, and a tenured construction team. The process includes 3D visualization, pre-construction engineering, verified budgets, and the level of planning and coordination described throughout this site. That level of commitment is reflected in the investment.
Our custom homes typically begin in the range of one million dollars and extend well beyond that depending on size, complexity, site conditions, and the level of finish. Lakefront homes on steep terrain, homes with basements, and homes with complex structural requirements tend to be at the higher end of that range. We also take on a small number of major renovation projects each year, with a minimum scope of $100,000.
If you are evaluating builders and your primary criterion is finding the lowest possible price per square foot, we are likely not the right fit — and we would rather be honest about that now than discover it together later. Our focus is quality, transparency, and long-term value. For the client whose priorities align with those, the investment delivers a home they will not outgrow, and a process they will not regret.
What Our Clients Say
“We choose Ceci Bates because everything felt clear from the beginning. The team explained every step, and we always knew what was happening. It never felt confusing or rushed — we felt truly listened to.”
“What surprised us most was how organized everything was. The budget was transparent, the updates were consistent, and there were no unexpected issues. It gave us real peace of mind throughout the project.”
Rachel T., Dallas
What the First Conversation
Looks Like
When you reach out, a member of our team will respond — typically within one business day, by phone or email, depending on your preference. That first conversation is not a sales pitch. It is a chance to listen. We will want to understand what you are thinking about — the land, the timeline, the kind of home you are imagining — and share enough about how we work to help you determine whether Ceci Bates is the right fit.
There is no cost and no commitment. Some clients come to that first conversation with detailed plans and a specific lot. Others come with a feeling — a sense of how they want the next chapter to look — and nothing more. Both are welcome.
If the first conversation confirms that we are a good fit for each other, the next step is a more detailed meeting where we introduce the full team — the architect, the interior designer, and the builder — and begin to understand your project in depth. But that step only happens when both sides feel confident that the partnership is right.
If This Feels Right,
Let Us Know
If what you have read here reflects the kind of home you are imagining and the kind of process you are looking for, we would welcome the opportunity to hear about it. The first conversation is simply a chance to listen.
Begin a Conversation