denzalconstruction@gmail.com (570) 876-4663
How We Build

Your Dream Home,
Step by Step.

Building a custom home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. We take that seriously. Here's exactly what happens from your first call to the day we hand you the keys — no surprises, no runaround.

✓ On-Time Guarantee ✓ On-Budget Guarantee ✓ No Hidden Costs
🤝
Direct Access
Chris & Ryan's numbers — always. No call centers.
📋
Fixed-Price Contract
What we quote is what you pay. Period.
📅
On-Time Delivery
We set a schedule and we hold ourselves to it.
🏠
Built to Last
Quality materials, no shortcuts — guaranteed.
1
🤝
Phase One
Free
Consultation
Step 1

It Starts with
a Conversation.

🕐 Week 1 · No Obligation

Before anything else, we sit down together — Chris or Ryan, in person — to understand what you're looking for. This isn't a sales pitch. It's a working conversation about your vision, your timeline, and your budget. There's no pressure and no fee.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Walk through your wish list — square footage, layout, style, must-haves
  • Understand your timeline and any land or lot situation you have
  • Give you honest, realistic budget guidance for your goals
  • Answer every question you have — no gatekeeping
  • Determine if DenZal is the right fit for your project
Our Philosophy We'd rather tell you something you don't want to hear at the first meeting than surprise you six months into a build. Honest conversations up front are how we build trust from day one. This is where trust starts — and trust is everything in this business.
Then
2
📍
Phase Two
Site &
Lot Selection
Step 2

Finding the
Right Lot

🕐 Weeks 1–4 · If Lot Not Yet Secured

Already own land? We'll evaluate it together. Need help finding a lot? We have deep relationships across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and can help connect you with available parcels that fit your goals.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Site evaluation — soil, drainage, slope, utilities, setbacks
  • Review of local zoning and deed restrictions
  • Guidance on lot-to-house-size ratios and orientation
  • Referrals to trusted surveyors and engineers if needed
  • Realistic cost impact of the lot on your total build budget
Good to Know Already have a lot? Great — this step takes about a week for us to review and clear. We'll identify any site challenges upfront so there are zero surprises during construction.
Then
3
📐
Phase Three
Design &
Selections
Step 3

Designing
Your Home

🕐 Weeks 3–8 · Most Important Phase

This is where your home really comes to life. Whether you're customizing one of our proven model designs or starting from scratch, our design team walks you through every decision — floor plans, finishes, fixtures, and more.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Finalize floor plan — layout, room sizes, garage, and special features
  • Choose exterior: siding, roofing, windows, doors, and colors
  • Select interior finishes: flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile
  • Choose plumbing fixtures, lighting, and electrical package
  • Review and sign the final fixed-price construction contract
No Overwhelm, Guaranteed We guide every selection in a logical order so nothing is rushed and nothing is missed. Our experience means we'll flag choices that affect each other before you commit.
Then
4
📄
Phase Four
Permitting &
Approvals
Step 4

We Handle
the Paperwork

🕐 Weeks 6–12 · We Manage This for You

Permits, approvals, and municipal filings can feel like a maze — but that's our lane. We've built hundreds of homes across NEPA and know exactly what each municipality requires. You don't have to touch a single form.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Submit building permit application to the appropriate township or borough
  • Coordinate with local code officials and inspectors
  • File any necessary zoning variance or sewage permits
  • Secure utility connections (electric, gas, water, sewer)
  • Schedule the pre-construction meeting and ground-break date
Timeline Note Municipal permit timelines vary across NEPA. Some townships turn permits in 2 weeks; others take 6–8. We'll give you a realistic estimate for your specific municipality before you sign.
Then
5
🏗️
Phase Five
Construction
Begins
Step 5

Your Home
Takes Shape

🕐 Months 3–9 · Active Build Phase

Ground breaks, and the real work begins. Our trusted crew of subcontractors — many of whom we've worked with for years — begin turning your design into reality. Chris or Ryan is on your site regularly, and you'll receive consistent progress updates throughout.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Site clearing, excavation, and foundation work
  • Framing, roofing, and exterior envelope
  • Mechanical rough-ins: HVAC, plumbing, electrical
  • Insulation, drywall, and interior finishing
  • Cabinetry, flooring, tile, trim, and fixture installation
  • Regular municipal inspections throughout construction
You're Always Welcome On Site We encourage site visits — just give us a heads up so we can walk you through what's happening. You're welcome on site any time — we want you excited, not anxious.
Then
6
🔍
Phase Six
Final
Walkthrough
Step 6

We Don't Leave
Until It's Right

🕐 1–2 Weeks Before Closing

Before you take possession, we walk through every inch of the home together. Every door, every switch, every finish. If anything isn't exactly right, it gets fixed — before you move in, not after.

What Happens at This Stage
  • Full room-by-room walkthrough with Chris or Ryan in person
  • Review all finishes against your selections sheet
  • Test all appliances, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
  • Document any punch list items and schedule completion
  • Final municipal inspection and certificate of occupancy
  • Home orientation — how everything in your new home works
Our Standard The punch list is closed before keys are handed over — not after. We don't consider a home finished until you agree it is.
Finally
7
🔑
Phase Seven
Keys
in Hand
Step 7

Welcome Home —
You're Done.

🕐 Move-In Day

This is the moment we build toward. You get the keys to a home that was built exactly to your specifications, on time, and on budget — just like we promised at the start.

What You Receive at Closing
  • All keys, garage openers, and access codes
  • One-year builder's warranty documentation
  • All manufacturer warranties for appliances and systems
  • Subcontractor contact list for future service needs
  • As-built documentation and permit records
We Stay in Touch Our relationship doesn't end at closing. Chris and Ryan's numbers don't change — if you have a question six months from now, just call. That's how we operate.
From First Call to Move-In

Your Build Timeline at a Glance

1
Consultation
Wk. 1
2
Site & Lot
Wk. 1–4
3
Design
Wk. 3–8
4
Permitting
Wk. 6–12
5
Construction
Mo. 3–9
6
Walkthrough
Mo. 9–10
7
Keys!
Mo. 10–12
Common Questions

What People Ask Before They Build

These are the questions we hear most often from first-time custom home buyers in NEPA. If yours isn't here, just call us — we love talking through the details.

Still Have Questions?

Chris and Ryan answer the phone directly. No hold music, no voicemail maze.

(570) 876-4663 →
Most custom homes take 9 to 12 months from signed contract to keys, depending on your selections, permit timelines, and site conditions. Our model homes on ready lots can move significantly faster — sometimes 6 to 8 months. We'll give you a realistic schedule before you sign anything.
Custom home costs vary based on size, finishes, and lot conditions. In today's NEPA market, a quality custom build typically starts in the mid-$200s and goes up from there depending on selections. We'll give you honest pricing at the first consultation — no inflated estimates, no bait-and-switch. Our fixed-price contract means what we quote is what you pay.
Not at all. Many clients come to us before they've found a lot — and we help them find one. We have relationships with landowners, real estate agents, and developers across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. If you already own land, we'll evaluate it at our first meeting at no cost.
Minor changes are sometimes possible depending on the stage of construction. However, the best way to avoid costly change orders is to finalize all selections before we break ground — which is exactly what our design process is designed to do. We invest heavily in the design phase so you feel confident and complete before construction starts.
Most custom homes are financed through a construction-to-permanent loan, which converts to a standard mortgage once the home is complete. We can refer you to local lenders we've worked with who understand the construction loan process. We'll also help you understand what documents lenders typically need from us during the process.
We stand behind our work. All DenZal homes come with a one-year builder's warranty covering workmanship, plus manufacturer warranties on all installed systems and materials. We also provide documentation on every major subcontractor so you always know who to call for a specific system. And honestly — Chris and Ryan's number doesn't change. Just call us.
Our model homes are proven floor plans that can be built faster and with slightly more predictable pricing — but they're not cookie-cutter. You still choose your finishes, colors, and many layout options. A fully custom home starts from a blank page: you pick the floor plan, room sizes, features, and every detail. Both are built with the same quality and backed by the same guarantee.

Ready to Start
Your Process?

The first step costs nothing. Sit down with Chris or Ryan and walk through your vision. No pressure, no commitment — just a good conversation about your future home.

Get Your Free Consultation

Ready to Build Your Dream Home in NEPA?

Contact Chris and Ryan for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let's make it happen.

Schedule Free Consultation →