We begin by inviting you into our office to walk through how we operate and what it’s like to work with Big River Builders. From the very start, we are transparent about our approach: we do not bid projects. Instead, we partner with you to thoughtfully build a realistic and well-informed budget tailored to your site, design goals, and overall vision.

We work seamlessly with your architect and designer, or we are happy to recommend trusted professionals with whom we have strong, long-standing relationships. If our process feels like the right fit, we’ll ask you to sign a Notice to Proceed so we can begin the preconstruction phase.

During preconstruction, we collaborate with your design team to review plans, coordinate engineering, evaluate site conditions, and identify any constraints or opportunities early. This due-diligence stage allows us to build a clear roadmap for the project while maintaining alignment between design intent, schedule, and budget.

Once enough information is in place, we prepare an initial, first-pass budget to establish a framework for the project. As design details progress—from architectural elevations to structural plans to interior specifications—we revisit and refine the budget to reflect the growing clarity. When all parties are comfortable with the scope and cost structure, we move forward with a Construction Agreement and begin building.

As a cost-plus builder, we provide complete transparency and real-time visibility into your project through Buildertrend. This platform allows you to follow a living version of your budget as it evolves, review updated selections and invoices, and see exactly where every dollar is allocated. Our team also maintains detailed daily logs within Buildertrend so you can track on-site progress, view photos, and stay connected to your project from anywhere.

Throughout construction, our cost-plus model offers flexibility without sacrificing control or clarity. If you choose to make changes or enhancements along the way, our team is fully equipped to integrate them efficiently and without disruption. Every adjustment is documented, communicated, and reflected in Buildertrend, ensuring you remain informed and confident at each step of the process.