We represent homeowners building or renovating custom single-family homes with construction budgets that often reach into the millions. Our work includes luxury homes with budgets of $5 million, $4.6 million, $4.2 million, $4 million, and $3.5 million. These are high-value projects where strong contracts, clear expectations, and early risk management make all the difference.
Project Types and Scope
We have worked on several dozen high-end single-family home projects across urban neighborhoods, resort towns, mountain properties, and historic districts. Whether it’s a 3,900 square foot ski town home, a complex addition to a 6,400 square foot historic home, or ground-up construction of an 8,000 square foot private estate, we help homeowners protect their investment from day one.
Contract Negotiation and Customization
We negotiate owner-architect agreements and owner-contractor agreements tailored to each project’s unique design, scope, and delivery method. We work with all major forms of contract, including:
For each document, we revise terms to reflect realistic schedules, payment structures, and owner protections – covering issues like allowances, change orders, materials selection, and responsibility for site conditions. Where applicable, we negotiate provisions involving furniture, furnishings, and equipment procurement and clarify roles when owners act as their own general contractor.
Ongoing Counsel and Risk Management
We also serve as ongoing counsel throughout construction. We help owners address issues before they become disputes, and when problems arise – such as delays, workmanship concerns, or billing conflicts – we try to resolve them quickly and cost-effectively. Our goal is always to avoid unnecessary litigation or arbitration. Instead, we focus on early, practical solutions through negotiation or mediation.
Additional Resources for Homeowners
For owners who prefer a faster, more self-guided starting point, we also created www.DesignBuildDocs.com – a platform that allows Illinois homeowners to instantly generate a customized owner-contractor agreement. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to begin negotiations with your contractor using a clear, professionally developed contract tailored for residential construction in Illinois.
Building a custom home is a significant investment. We help ensure your contracts are solid, your risks are known and managed, and your project is positioned for success. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your single-family home project from planning through completion.
