Custom HOMES
PROCESS
How We Do It
Building a custom home should feel rewarding at every stage. Our five-step process is built to simplify complexity, eliminate guesswork, and keep you focused on what matters most—creating a home that’s uniquely yours. From early concepts to final handover, we manage the details so you can walk into a home that feels undeniably yours.
Discovery
Development
Financials
Construction
Beyond
New Home Process
PROJECT DISCOVERY
Where vision begins.
Every home begins with a conversation — and the space to dream.
Relationships are the foundation of everything we do. We take the time to understand how you live, what matters most to you, and what you need from your home — now and into the future. Whether you entertain often, travel frequently, prioritize wellness, have growing family needs, or specific interests or routines your home needs to support, we want to hear it. These early conversations help us design a home that feels as good to live in as it looks.
You’ll meet our team and begin a collaborative relationship built on openness and ongoing communication. A tour of our showroom begins to reveal your preferences — helping clarify what draws you in, what resonates, and what will ultimately inform the design direction. We also invite you to share any inspiration you’ve gathered — whether it’s ideas, images, or a well-curated Pinterest board. Every detail helps us better understand your vision.
We’ll also look at the practical details: where you plan to build, whether you already own a lot, and the size or scope you have in mind. If a site is secured, we’ll visit the land to assess its unique qualities — including orientation, sun exposure, topography, views, and how the home should sit within the landscape.
This is where trust begins, ideas take shape, and the creative journey of your custom home truly begins.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Designing with purpose.
This phase brings structure to your ideas — through custom floor plans, site studies, and thoughtful elevation design. Under a formal Design Agreement, we collaborate with you to turn early concepts into clear, well-developed plans.
Traditionally, building a custom home begins with hiring an architect to create the design, followed by the search for a builder to execute it. We simplify that process by bringing everything in-house. With our architectural design and construction teams working together from the beginning, each decision is made with construction feasibility and your budget in mind — resulting in a home that’s as buildable as it is beautiful, and a process that’s more seamless from start to finish.
If you already have an architect, we’re happy to collaborate. We’ve successfully worked alongside many architectural teams and are committed to bringing your vision to life with the same clarity, precision, and care.
SELECTIONS + FINANCIALS
Curating your home.
With the design foundation in place, we turn our attention to the details that bring your home to life — the finishes, materials, and features that reflect your personal style and elevate the overall design.
Our architectural design team will guide selections for windows and exterior finishes, ensuring each element is cohesive, considered, and buildable. For interior selections, you can choose to work with the award-winning team at our sister company, Empire Kitchen & Bath, for a fully integrated, seamless design experience. Alternatively, we’re happy to collaborate with your interior designer — a process we’ve successfully managed on many custom homes.
As a cost-plus builder, we offer complete transparency. You’ll always know what’s included and exactly what it costs. Through our construction management software, you’ll also have real-time access to your selections, quotes, and timelines.
While you focus on creating a beautiful space, our team handles the logistics — from coordinating specifications and budgets to managing permitting — keeping your project running smoothly from start to finish.
PRECISION CONSTRUCTION
Executing the design.
With permits in place and selections finalized, construction begins — and your home begins to take shape.
It all starts with a solid foundation and precise framing. A sound structure is essential to the long-term quality, performance, and durability of your home. From mechanical systems to interior finishes, cabinetry to landscaping, and driveways to final inspections — we work with trusted trades and skilled craftsmen to deliver a standard of quality that only Empire provides.
Our experienced Construction Managers are on site daily, overseeing every aspect of the build to ensure it meets our exacting standards. You’ll receive detailed weekly updates that offer clarity, transparency, and meaningful insight into progress — keeping you fully informed and confidently connected to every stage of your home’s construction.
MOVE-IN + BEYOND
Where it all comes together.
When construction is complete, you step into a home crafted for you — defined by enduring quality, thoughtful design, and tailored to your lifestyle, now and for years to come.
Though the build is complete, our relationship continues. Your home is protected by the Alberta New Home Warranty Program and supported by our dedicated service team — ensuring peace of mind and lasting excellence.
At Empire, we’re committed to superior craftsmanship, attentive service, and meaningful relationships — long after move-in day.