“Why does building a custom home feel like you are managing three separate projects?”
It is a simple question with a frustrating answer. Most homeowners hire an architect and then a builder and then a realtor while assuming everyone will work together. Instead, they often find themselves stuck in the middle trying to manage people who are not talking directly to each other. This leaves the homeowner acting as a messenger between a design they love and a construction budget that does not match.
At AV Architects + Builders we believe you should never have to be the bridge between your professionals.Vacation Style Living® (VSL) Design-Build combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof — giving you a white-glove, turnkey experience guided by precision and peace of mind. With VSL Design-Build, you’re not just hiring a builder, you’re partnering with architects who build and can lead every decision with design integrity and construction expertise.
By the end of this article you will understand exactly how our process removes the stress of scattered communication. You will see the actual investments needed for a custom home in Northern Virginia and learn why having one team is the only way to build a home that fits your life.
© 2026 AV Architects + Builders. All Rights Reserved
Everything You Need in One Team
The VSL Design-Build is the most comprehensive service we offer. It is a fully integrated architectural and construction experience designed to deliver your home from concept to completion. While many homeowners start their journey by looking for individual players, what a design-build firm provides is the entire championship roster under one roof.
Unlike traditional delivery models where design and construction are managed separately, our firm ensures every phase is coordinated by one team. This eliminates the risk of unforced errors and miscommunication that occur when different firms try to play on the same court without a shared playbook.
This integrated approach is precisely why many clients choose us over separate firms. When comparing design-bid-build vs. design-build vs. architect-led models, it becomes clear that a unified team consistently outperforms fragmented methods in both speed, experience and cost certainty. Our model maximizes cost savings by reducing the expensive changes that can happen when an architect and a builder are not in sync. The result is faster timelines, unified communication, and a project that never loses momentum from the first sketch to the final buzzer.
What is the VSL Design-Build Process?
AV Architects + Builders provides a tailored experience where the level of your involvement is entirely up to you. Our Design-Build process is created to be deeply collaborative without the typical stress of a custom home project, making it a premier choice for first-time and experienced clients who value clear communication.
1. Design with Clarity
We begin by refining your architectural plans, materials, and specifications — translating your lifestyle into a buildable, cohesive design.
2. Build with Confidence
Our in-house team manages every detail of permitting, engineering, and construction — ensuring your home stays on time and on budget.
3. Live with Intention
Step into your finished Vacation Style Living® home — built for balance, beauty, and the way you truly want to live.
What's Included in VSL Design-Build?
Your VSL Design-Build package includes every phase of design, engineering, permitting and construction, all managed by our team.
Exclusive VSL Design-Build Deliverables:
- Architectural Construction Drawings
- Structural Engineering Drawings
- Civil Engineering Drawings
- Interior Plans & Elevations
- Custom Closet Layouts
- Fixed Construction Cost
- Permits for Construction
- Oversee and Manage Construction
- Oversee and Manage Subcontractors
- Oversee and Manage Material Suppliers
- Oversee and Manage Inspections
- Collaborate with Lending Institution if Needed
From VSL Design
- 3D Rendered Views
- Floor Plans
- Building Sections
- Elevations
- Roof Plan
- Door / Window Schedule
- Lighting Plan
- Finish Floor Plans
- Exterior Material Selections
- Kitchen Layout
- Bath Layout
From the VSL Vision
- Concept Design Tailored to Your Lifestyle
- Preliminary Site Analysis
- Preliminary Zoning Analysis
- Preliminary Utility Location Analysis
- Architectural Site Plan
- Schematic Floor Plans
- Schematic Elevations
- 3D Schematic Views
From the VSL Building Guide
- Professional Analysis
- Spatial Programming
- Square Footage Strategy
- Site and Engineering Review
- Real World Budget Intelligence
- Project Timeline Framework
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home in Northern Virginia?
A successful custom home begins with an honest understanding of cost. Long before selecting finishes or sketching floor plans, you need a realistic budget that reflects the true complexity of building in Northern Virginia. With 35 years of integrated design-build experience, we help you establish this clarity from the start. When your budget and your goals are aligned, the entire process—from design decisions to builder conversations—becomes more efficient, more informed, and far more predictable.
Knowing your total cost upfront protects your investment. In Northern Virginia, Our custom homes start at $450 per square foot, which reflects the baseline cost for a Modern Simplicity Design from our Budget Calculator.
This starting point includes everything required to design and build your home:
- Architectural design
- Structural engineering
- Civil engineering
- Permitting
- Full construction of your home
For Example:
For a 5,000 square foot home with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage, the starting investment is roughly $2.25M for the home itself, before land or site-specific requirements.
Because your home is 100% custom, the final price is influenced by:
- Architectural complexity
- Level of finishes
- Extensive glazing or specialty materials
- Outdoor living spaces & hardscaping
- Pools & integrated amenities
- Advanced mechanical systems
- Structural enhancements
- Unique lifestyle features
Our design-first methodology ensures you understand every cost driver before we build—no surprises.
© 2026 AV Architects + Builders. All Rights Reserved
What’s Not Included in the Baseline Cost?
The $450/sqft starting point does not include:
- Site Costs: Typically adds 10–20%, depending on the site’s specific requirements. Potential site costs may include but are not limited to: Tree Removal, Dirt Removal/Addition, Public Utility Disconnect/Reconnect, Private Utility Disconnect/Reconnect, Driveway, Retaining Walls, Stormwater Management, Landscaping, Generator
- Lot Costs: Cost of the Land/Lot, Realtor Fees, Closing Costs, and Moving Costs.
Your lot represents one of the biggest variables in your overall investment. Factors like location, topography, soil conditions, and accessibility all influence cost. We evaluate these elements early in the design process to ensure your budget reflects real-world conditions.
Why Partner with AV Architects + Builders?
With over 25 years of experience designing and building custom homes, our integrated design-build team provides the professional advocacy needed to protect your investment. We eliminate the friction of traditional building by ensuring you have a single point of contact for total accountability. From your first Discovery Call to the final walkthrough, our team ensures that design integrity and high-performance craftsmanship remain in sync without the risk of handoff errors.
Our approach is based on full transparency and combined expertise. We focus not only on square footage but on how you live, making sure every architectural choice is supported by real building data. This clear roadmap shows cost, timeline, and scope from the start. By connecting the design and construction phases, we deliver a home that is both structurally reliable and thoughtfully designed.
The Architect House, Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders, Photography by Maxwell Mackenzie
Take the Next Step with AV Architects + Builders
Are you ready to design a home that elevates the way you live? Schedule a discovery call with our team today to discuss your vision or visit our Learning Center for more resources. Let’s start your Vacation Style Living® journey today.
