What kind of structural plans does Ceci Bates provide?

Ceci Bates Custom Homes provides both architectural and structural plan sets, ensuring precise engineering where many builders might only offer architectural plans and leave structural details to be inferred.

How does Ceci Bates manage change orders during construction?

Ceci Bates uses a digital change order and approval system, allowing real-time client sign-off and maintaining clear communication throughout the construction process.

When does Ceci Bates purchase home materials?

Ceci Bates issues purchase orders at contract signing, securing approximately 70% of all materials upfront and locking in pricing before construction begins.

Notes From Our Journey

From twenty-six years of building custom homes on Lake Texoma, here we share about our process and what we've learned about design, materials, engineering, and the decisions that shape a home built to last for generations — the questions clients ask us most often, and the answers we give around the table in our design center.

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Essential Questions Before Choosing a Custom Home Builder

Essential Questions Before Choosing a Custom Home Builder

Ceci Bates

October 14, 2026

In the early meetings with a custom home builder, the questions often asked tend to scratch the surface. Questions about the length of time they’ve been in business, the number of homes they build yearly, or the price per square foot yield straightforward answers that reveal little about the builder’s operations. These inquiries are easy to address and hard to verify, leaving the more insightful questions unasked.

To truly understand a builder’s capability, prospective owners should delve deeper. Begin by asking how the builder produces structural plans for the home. Many builders provide only architectural plans, leaving structural decisions to the framer on-site. A comprehensive approach should involve detailed structural plans from qualified engineers.

Next, inquire about the budget-building process. It’s common to find budgets based on placeholder allowances not grounded in actual product selections. A sound budget is constructed from real choices, offering transparency and control over costs. Furthermore, understanding when materials are purchased is crucial. Many builders buy materials as the project progresses, exposing the budget to market fluctuations. Securing materials at the outset, with fixed prices, offers stability.

Consider how changes requested during construction are handled. While paper trails and conversations suffice for some, a documented system of change orders ensures clarity and accountability. Communication is another area to explore. Are updates reactive or proactive? Knowing how the builder keeps clients informed during construction can prevent miscommunications.

Lastly, delve into warranty coverage and how post-completion issues are managed. It’s telling how builders handle service years after the project. The warranty should signal the beginning of a long-term relationship, not its conclusion.

A builder who welcomes such meticulous questions is likely committed to delivering a home worth the investment. To explore how Ceci Bates addresses these critical aspects, we invite you to learn more at cecibates.com.