Frequently Asked Questions 

General Information

How much does it cost to build a custom home on Mercer Island or the Eastside?
Costs vary significantly depending on size, finishes, lot complexity, and location. In our experience, premium custom homes frequently start in the $600+ per square foot range (before land) and can go higher depending on materials, view orientation, engineering, and amenities. We work with you to establish a budget early and provide transparent cost guidance based on your vision.

Do I need to have the land secured before approaching a custom home builder?
Not necessarily, but it can be very helpful. If you already own a lot, we’ll evaluate it with you, looking at grading, access, utilities, views, and site constraints. If you haven’t purchased land yet, we can still talk through your vision, budget, and lot criteria so you’re positioned to select the right property. Early discussion helps avoid surprises later.

What defines a “custom home” versus a remodel or spec house?
A custom home is built from the ground up and designed uniquely for you. By contrast, a spec house is built by a developer with standard plans and finishes, and a remodel alters an existing home rather than starting fresh. At Gallagher Co., we specialise in ground-up luxury custom homes as well as major remodels, meaning full control over design, materials, and architectural direction.

How long does the full custom-build process take from start to finish?
For new home construction, you should expect about 18-30 months from initial conversations through move-in, depending on lot, scope, finishes, and approvals. This includes design time, construction, and final commissioning. We keep you updated every step of the way so you know what’s next and when.

When should I bring in the builder in the timeline?
The earlier the better. Bringing us in during the design or schematic phase gives you major advantages: We can advise on constructability, cost, schedule, and site logistics. Early involvement helps avoid redesigns, cost escalations, or surprise site conditions that can arise if a builder is brought in too late.

What are the steps in the custom home-building process with Gallagher Co.?
When you begin a custom home with us, the process starts with an initial conversation where we learn about your vision, the property, your budget, and your timeline. From there, we help assemble your design team and begin reviewing the site, discussing ideas, and shaping the overall direction of the home. As the design progresses, we provide ongoing cost and constructability feedback so the plans stay aligned with your goals. Once the designs are finalized, we guide you through permitting and prepare for construction. During the build, we manage every phase, from excavation and framing to systems, finishes, and final details, while keeping you informed through regular updates and walkthroughs. As the home nears completion, we conduct a thorough final inspection to ensure everything feels polished, consistent, and ready for move-in. The entire experience is structured, collaborative, and transparent, so you always know what to expect and feel confident at every stage.

How do you collaborate with architects and designers?
We partner closely with your chosen architect/designer (or we can recommend one) and act as the construction advisor through the design phase. This means we review plans for budget alignment, site buildability, material selections, and schedule implications, ensuring design intent meets practical build requirements.

Will I need to make decisions right away? How many choices will there be?
There are many decisions in the new home construction process, but we structure them so you make them at the right time, not all at once. We guide the selection process, so you know what’s coming and when your input is needed. We make sure choices are manageable and help you feel in control.

What happens in the final phase before I move in?
We perform a thorough final inspection with our team and subcontractors. We check every system, finish, door, trim, lighting, and detail. We aim for your home to be truly move-in ready, so you walk in with minimal punch-list items and high confidence.

What types of projects do you specialize in?
 We focus on four main areas:

  • Custom Homes: Fully tailored ground-up builds designed around your lifestyle, lot, and architectural vision.
  • Remodels & Renovations: Whole-home transformations, major additions, and large-scale upgrades that modernize or reconfigure your existing home.
  • Commercial Projects: Small to mid-sized local commercial projects, including tenant improvements, storage centers, warehouse space, and boutique commercial spaces.
  • Outdoor Living Spaces: Premium outdoor environments like decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, covered structures, and integrated landscape features that extend your living space.

How customizable is a custom home when working with Gallagher Co.?
Completely. A custom home has no preset templates, so you shape every aspect, from floor plan and architectural style to materials, finishes, window systems, and specialty features. We help you translate inspiration into a buildable plan, ensuring the design, engineering, and budget all stay aligned as your vision comes to life.

Do you handle remodels and full-home renovations?
Yes. Many Mercer Island-area homeowners prefer to transform their existing home rather than build new, and we handle major remodels, structural redesigns, additions, open-concept conversions, and luxury interior upgrades.

Do you offer commercial or light-commercial construction services?
We take on select commercial and light-commercial projects, such as office spaces, tenant improvements, specialty retail build-outs, and smaller community-focused structures. Our approach is detail-oriented and schedule-driven, ensuring your business gets a space that reflects quality and functions beautifully.

Can you design and build outdoor living spaces?
Absolutely. Outdoor living is a major part of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, and we create elevated, cohesive exterior spaces that feel like natural extensions of your home. This includes decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, covered structures, fire features, hardscaping, and waterfront environments. We ensure indoor-outdoor transitions feel seamless and intentional.

Can you work on challenging homes or unique properties?
Definitely! We regularly handle projects involving complex terrain, older structures, waterfront conditions, steep slopes, and strict municipal requirements. These types of projects benefit from our hands-on approach, detailed planning, and familiarity with Mercer Island and Eastside inspections and engineering.

Can I bring my own architect and designer, or should I choose from your network?
Either works. If you already have a design team, we’ll collaborate with them closely. If not, we can recommend architects and designers who align with your style and project type. Our goal is to create a strong, cohesive team that supports your project from day one.

How will you determine if my budget fits my goals?
Early in the process, we’ll review your vision, lot, desired size, and quality of finishes. We then provide a realistic budget range and refine it as selections are made. This helps you make informed decisions and align your goals with what the site and market support.

What typically causes budgets to increase?
Major causes include design changes, higher-end finish upgrades, site engineering surprises, and permit/regulation delays. We mitigate these by early site evaluation, clear scope definition, organized selection process, and consistent communication.

Can you help with construction financing or lender referrals?
While we don’t offer financing directly, we can refer you to lenders experienced with luxury custom-home construction in the local area. We coordinate with your team so financing and draw schedules align with the build.

Are there hidden or unexpected costs I should plan for?
We aim to minimize surprises by building transparency into the process. You should still plan for contingencies (often 5-10% of the budget) for unforeseen conditions, upgrades you decide later, or market fluctuations. Rest assured, we always keep you informed throughout.

What are typical delays in custom home projects?
Common delays come from permit/approval timelines, specialized material lead times, design revisions, and challenging site conditions (e.g., waterfront, slope). We manage these by building realistic schedules, tracking milestones weekly, and proactively addressing issues.

How often will I receive updates and be involved?
You’ll receive weekly progress updates covering what’s done, what’s next, any decisions needed, and schedule information. We ensure open communication throughout, so you always know where your project stands.

Who handles supervision and quality control on the jobsite?
Our on-site superintendents and project managers monitor every trade partner, inspect workmanship, verify systems, maintain safety and scheduling, and keep the build aligned to plan. We always prioritize craftsmanship and accountability to ensure a flawless result and seamless process.

Can I visit the site during construction?
Site visits are encouraged. We coordinate safe and productive walkthroughs during key construction phases so you can see progress, ask questions, and stay in the loop on your home’s build.

What level of craftsmanship can I expect?
High-end craftsmanship is core to what we do. Our team, trade partners, and subcontractors specialize in luxury custom homes and complex assemblies. Attention to detail, precision finishing, and durable systems are what we deliver every time.

How are materials selected and managed?
You, your designer, and we will select materials that align with your vision and budget. We then manage sourcing, specification, schedule, installation, and quality control to ensure the materials you select perform as intended and look as envisioned.

Are sustainable or high-performance homes possible?
Yes, absolutely. If you want energy efficiency, durability, low-maintenance materials, or specific sustainability goals, we can integrate those into your custom home build. We’ll discuss options like high-performance windows, systems, insulation, and smart home controls as part of your planning.

Will you evaluate my lot before major design work begins?
Yes. We perform a site evaluation early on to assess grade, utilities, access, soil/geotech conditions, setbacks, view corridors, and infrastructure requirements. This helps prevent surprise costs or schedule issues later.

Who handles permits, engineering, and regulatory approvals?
We’ll work closely with your architect and engineer to guide you through permitting, then oversee all building inspections through the completion of your project.

Do you manage all exterior and site-work elements like pools, decks, and landscaping?
We coordinate with your landscape architect, pool specialists, hardscape contractors, and outdoor living designers to manage the entire exterior scope. We aim to deliver a holistic outdoor-indoor experience, not just an interior structure.

How involved do I need to be during the build process?
You can set the level of involvement you prefer, whether you want weekly walkthroughs and active decision-making or prefer to rely on our team for execution. We set expectations up-front, deliver clear timelines, and make sure you feel supported, not stressed.

How will I stay informed during construction?
Through a combination of scheduled updates, meetings, on-site walkthroughs, and digital communication tools, we keep you in the loop. Our clients consistently tell us they value our transparency and proactive updates.

What happens if I want to make a change partway through the build?
Change orders are inevitable in custom builds. When you discover a new idea or refine your vision, a change order will be issued. We’ll review cost and schedule impact with you before proceeding, so you can make an informed choice. We aim to manage changes thoughtfully rather than let them disrupt the project.

Does my custom home come with a warranty?
Yes. We provide a construction warranty covering workmanship and materials for a specific period following move-in. We will review the exact terms with you in advance so you know what’s covered and how to request service.

What if I find an issue after move-in?
Simply reach out to us. We stand behind our work and have a system in place to track post-occupancy items so they get resolved promptly. Your satisfaction and the long-term performance of your home matter to us.

How is the final punch-list handled?
Before hand-off, we conduct a comprehensive team review of your home to minimize punch-list items. Any remaining items are tracked, scheduled, and completed promptly. We strive to ensure your home feels truly finished and ready on move-in day.

How do I get started with Gallagher Co. Construction?
Just reach out via the contact form on our website or call our office at 206-849-4992. We’ll schedule an initial, no-obligation consultation to discuss your vision, lot, budget, and timeline. 

What should I bring to our first meeting?
Bring any inspiration images, your lot information (if you have one), your thoughts on style and finishes, your target budget, and desired timeline. It doesn’t need to be finalized; this is where we help translate your ideas into a realistic build plan.

Can I see examples of past homes you’ve built?
Definitely! Visit our portfolio, which features luxury custom homes, waterfront estates, and major remodels throughout the Mercer Island area.

What happens after the first consultation?
After our initial meeting, we’ll guide you into the planning phase: refining your concept, evaluating your lot, developing a budget, and assembling your design team. From there, we’ll move into design-development and then construction when you’re ready.