OUR APPROACH
Investing in your dream home doesn’t have to be stressful.
As a local luxury home builder, we specialize in creating one-of-a-kind residences across Austin. We’ve built a culture of nailing the details.
Our difference in delivery lies in our collaborative approach and radical predictability, allowing us to commit to fixed-price construction, even for complex, ambitious architecture.
Our Custom Home Building Process
1
DISCOVER WHAT'S POSSIBLE
We begin with a custom feasibility study grounded in research, examining the development regulations specific to your property and evaluating your site. For a fixed fee, we complete our research, document the property, and present two custom schemes that address your needs. We provide a construction cost estimate for each scheme to help you understand your options and assess project feasibility.
Feasibility study investment: $7,500 for remodel or addition, $8,500 for new construction. Varies for commercial.
2
TAILOR TO YOUR NEEDS
Once feasibility is complete, we continue to Discovery where we fine tune the scheme to your liking and begin to discuss the look and feel of the spaces with our custom “style story”. We also complete full as-built drawings of your home to serve as the foundation for our permitting and design development drawing sets.
Discovery Investment: Percentage of Construction based on Project Services
3
WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS
Once we’ve got a clear direction, it’s time to dive into design. In Design and Planning, all selections are made and presented to the clients for review. A 3-D model will be generated for your project to help you visualize the space. Technical drawings are completed, a structural engineer is engaged, and all permit drawings are readied. Moontower applies for a permit on your behalf and manages all necessary updates for clearance.
Our trusted network of subcontractors is introduced to the project, and bids are provided for work to begin.
Design & Planning Investment: Percentage of Construction based on Project Services
4
BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
With a detailed design and construction contract in place, we're set up for a smooth build. Our superintendents and project managers handle the day-to-day scheduling and subcontractor coordination, so you get the mental relief of knowing your project is being cared for. Regular meetings are held with you and your design team to inspect progress and answer questions, and your construction team keeps you updated on schedule and any custom changes. Craft is monitored and coordination is managed from start to finish, ensuring a top-quality home.
Design Investment: included in previous services
Build Investment: 250K-4M+
We can’t say enough good things about the Moontower team! We worked with them on a complete demo and new build after learning of some severe limitations to doing a renovation. Not only did they stay on time and within our budget, but they also really helped us to articulate exactly what we wanted, how we wanted our home to feel and created a home that not only fits our needs and is functional, but also honors our central Austin neighborhood. Big shout out to Jessica who was with us every step of the way. She came up with an amazing design, problem solved in all the best ways and had an incredible eye for detail throughout the feasibility, design and build phases. The whole team was great and we love our house! I’d recommend Moontower to anyone looking to build or remodel in Austin.
Katie
Moontower did an extensive renovation of our 1979 kitchen, living and laundry rooms in addition to installing giant windows that are magnificent. Honestly the 8 months of design development involving my husband and I getting on same page was way more difficult than actually moving out for 7 months during demo and reno 😊 Every single person we dealt with at Moontower was very very patient and professional. They warranty their work, going above and beyond for entire year post demo dealing with inevitable nitty and gritty issues that arise. We are thrilled with the work. Special shout out to Claudia, Kyle, Nathan and Ryan for holding our hands during entire process. And many thanks to Frank Jeff David and Amber for keeping us on budget.
Jw
What a pleasure to work with this wonderful team! We have been privileged to use Moontower's services several times throughout our 20+ years in Austin, for both our home and our small business. If you are looking for knowledgable, local, down to earth, friendly, and fair folks to work with, look no further. Moontower has an amazing team and will hold your hand (as much as you would like) throughout every stage of your project. Whether just dreaming up the idea with Frank and Maggie, to making sure it fits your budget with Jeff, or getting down to brass tacks with David, you are in excellent hands with this crew.
hELEN
Testimonials
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Why Moontower
We don’t just create spaces—we craft experiences. Our integrated design-build construction services combine architecture, interiors, and construction under one roof—streamlining the entire process. We believe your home should reflect more than just great design. It should tell your story.
For over 16 years, Moontower has crafted luxury custom homes throughout central Austin and Westlake and has been named one of Austin Home's Best Builders five times and Best Architects for the past 3 years.
7x
Austin's Best
Home Builder
3x
Austin's Best
Architects
16+
Years in
Design + Build
200+
Residential
Projects Built
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs depend on your lot, your design, and your finishes, so an honest answer starts with a better understanding of all three. Most Moontower homes start around $250,000 for a small backhouse and can run to 4 million or more. Our feasibility study exists to explore the balance of size, finishes, and budget unique to your needs and location. For a fixed fee of $8500 in 4-6 weeks we’ll generate two design schemes specific to your needs and property, each with a realistic cost range, so you can decide with real numbers and real layouts what’s right for you.
Yes. Most Moontower homes are custom built on our clients' own lots in central Austin and Westlake, whether the lot is vacant or holds a structure that's reached the end of its story. If you're still searching, our pre-purchase consultation helps you vet a lot before you buy it.
Design and permitting typically run eight to twelve months across our Feasibility, Discovery, and Design & Planning steps. Construction duration depends on your home's scale and specifics, but 12-18 months for a new single family home that’s 2500-4000 sq/ft is typical. We commit to the schedule in writing, alongside your price, before breaking ground.
It means the construction price we sign is the price you pay for the scope we designed together. We can make that commitment because we've already collected real subcontractor bids and specified the finishes and fixtures. If you choose to change something mid-build, we price the change first, and you approve it before work proceeds.
No. Moontower's licensed architects and interior designers create your home in-house, alongside the estimator and builders who will deliver it.
Get in Touch
To start the process or ask a question, please fill out the contact form below or give us a call. A member of our team will be in touch shortly!
Thank you for your interest in Moontower Design & Build.