There Might Be a Better Way to Build
Why San Francisco Homeowners Are Choosing Pre-Construction Services Over the Traditional 3-Bid Process
A Personal Letter From Zach Heir, Founder of Heirloom Builders
If you’ve ever started planning a home remodel only to hit a wall, financially or emotionally, you’re not alone.
We’ve seen it happen too often. A homeowner spends months working with an architect or designer to create a beautiful plan. They’re proud of it. Excited. Ready to build.
Then the estimates come in, and the numbers are double what they expected. Suddenly, all that energy and vision gets lost in a scramble to redesign or scale back.
It’s not your fault.
The traditional “3-bid process” asks homeowners to design first and get bids later. Often, there’s no builder involved until the very end. The result? Misaligned expectations, unexpected costs, and a stressful pivot when the numbers don’t match the dream.
At Heirloom, we believe there’s a better way.
The Case for Starting Smarter
Our Pre-Construction Services bring everyone to the table early; architect, designer, builder, and most importantly, you.
This early alignment means:
Your design is grounded in real-world pricing from the beginning
Buildability issues are flagged before they become expensive surprises
The vision stays intact without having to cut back at the last minute
You move forward with clarity, confidence, and a realistic budget in hand
In today’s market, that’s more important than ever.
Construction prices have risen more than 60 percent since 2020. Material costs continue to shift unpredictably. Many homeowners are scaling back mid-design simply because they didn’t have the full picture from the start.
And when that happens, it can feel deeply personal. Scaling back can mean:
Letting go of the second bathroom your growing family was counting on
Settling for off-the-shelf finishes when you dreamed of warm oak built-ins
Losing the walk-in closet that would’ve finally brought peace to the morning routine
Postponing a kitchen update that would’ve made hosting feel joyful again
Or cutting the ADU you planned to use for aging parents or rental income
When we plan together from the start, we help protect the pieces of the project that matter most. Not just aesthetically, but emotionally and functionally too.
But It’s About More Than Cost
Choosing a builder is a big decision. We’ll be in your life for months, sometimes years, working closely to bring your vision to life. That kind of relationship works best when it’s built on trust.
Pre-Construction gives us the chance to get to know each other before you commit to the full build. We collaborate, communicate, and work through key decisions without the pressure of a long-term contract.
It’s a smart way to make sure the people building your home are the right fit for your home.
When We Build Together from the Start, Here’s What Happens:
Projects stay on track creatively and financially
Homeowners feel informed, supported, and less stressed
Designers and architects feel empowered and involved
Everyone spends more time creating and less time reacting
Let’s Talk Early
If you’re planning a remodel, or if you’ve already started designing and want help keeping things on track, we’d love to support you.
There’s no pressure. Just a thoughtful conversation about your goals, what matters most to you, and how we can help protect both your design and your investment.
Email Zach directly at zach@heirloombuildersca.com
Or learn more about our Pre-Construction Services →
Heirloom Builders
Thoughtful Remodeling. Built to Last.