IS
IT
TIME?
Signs You Are Ready to Build a Custom Home
- You have been searching for an existing home for months and nothing matches what your family actually needs
- You own land or have identified a lot and want to build exactly what you want on it
- Your current home is too small, too outdated, or in the wrong location, and no amount of remodeling will fix the core layout
- You want to build your home and pool at the same time so the plumbing, electrical, and outdoor design are unified from day one
- You are relocating to the McKinney, Frisco, or North Texas corridor and want a home that fits the lot and the climate
- You have specific needs like a shop building, ADU, multigenerational suite, or barn that tract builders do not offer
- You want to choose your own architect, floor plan, materials, and finishes instead of picking from a builder’s pre-set packages
- You are tired of builder-grade quality and want a home built to your specifications with materials you select
A Home Builder Who Also Builds Pools
DSH Homes and Pools has built custom homes across the Dallas Fort Worth region for 30 years. Derek Humphreys oversees every project from the first lot visit through the certificate of occupancy, and the DSH crew handles framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and finishing trades in-house.
The reason DSH is different from most custom home builders in North Texas comes down to scope. DSH also builds custom pools, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor living spaces. When you build a home and pool with the same contractor, the foundation engineer accounts for pool placement. The plumber runs pool supply lines during the rough-in instead of cutting into finished concrete later. The electrician sizes the panel for pool equipment loads from the start. And the outdoor design matches the interior finishes because one team is selecting both.
North Texas clay soil affects homes the same way it affects pools. The expansive clays in Collin and Denton counties cause foundation movement that shows up as drywall cracks, sticking doors, and uneven floors. DSH works with structural engineers who design foundation systems specifically for local soil reports, including post-tension slabs, pier-and-beam systems, and deep beam configurations based on geotechnical testing.
BBB Accredited with an A rating. Call (903) 321-3172 for a free lot evaluation and consultation.
Custom Home Styles
Modern Ranch Single-story, open-concept floor plans with high ceilings, large windows, and clean exterior lines. The most popular style in the McKinney, Prosper, and Celina corridor for lots under one acre.
Texas Farmhouse Board-and-batten siding, metal roofing accents, covered porches, and open kitchens. This style works well on larger lots in Van Alstyne, Anna, and the rural communities north of McKinney.
Transitional A blend of traditional and contemporary elements. Stone and stucco exteriors, neutral palettes, and flexible floor plans that age well with changing family needs.
Multi-Story Custom Two-story and three-story homes for larger families or narrower urban lots. DSH designs stairwell placement, second-floor HVAC zoning, and structural framing to keep the home quiet and energy-efficient.
Barndominium and Shop Homes Steel-frame or hybrid construction with attached shop or barn space. Common on acreage properties in Grayson County where the owner wants a residence and a functional workspace under one roof.
- Luxury Estate Large-format homes with premium materials, custom millwork, imported stone, home theaters, wine rooms, and fully integrated outdoor living with pool and kitchen. These builds typically run 3,500 to 6,000+ square feet.
Services We Offer
Lot Evaluation and Site Planning
DSH evaluates your lot for soil conditions, drainage, utility access, setback requirements, and buildable area before you commit to a design.
Architectural Design Coordination
Work with your architect or use DSH’s design partners to produce construction-ready plans, elevation drawings, and material specifications.
Full Construction Management
One project manager, one schedule, one point of contact from permit through occupancy. DSH coordinates every trade in sequence so the build stays on timeline.
Foundation Engineering
Geotechnical soil testing and foundation design by licensed structural engineers who know North Texas clay conditions. Post-tension slabs, pier-and-beam, or hybrid systems based on your lot’s soil report.
Interior Finish Selection
Cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures, hardware, paint, tile, and appliances selected with DSH guidance and installed by the same crew building the house.
Pool and Outdoor Living Integration
Build your home and pool together. DSH coordinates pool excavation, outdoor kitchen construction, and landscape design with the home build timeline so both projects are completed together.
Permit and Inspection Management
DSH pulls all building permits, schedules inspections, and manages code compliance from foundation pour through final certificate of occupancy.
The DSH Home Building Process
Building a custom home is an exciting journey, and we make it stress-free with our proven step-by-step approach.
Step 1: Lot Visit and Consultation
Derek walks the property, discusses your vision, reviews the lot’s soil conditions and buildable area, and talks through realistic budget ranges for your goals.
Step 2: Design and Engineering
Architectural plans, structural engineering, and a detailed construction estimate are produced. You review and revise until the design matches your needs and budget.
Step 3: Permits and Pre-Construction
DSH submits permits, schedules the geotechnical survey, orders materials, and locks in the construction timeline. If you are building a pool at the same time, both permits are pulled together.
Step 4: Foundation and Framing
Site prep, foundation pour, and framing go up. This is the phase where you start seeing your home take shape.
Step 5: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
HVAC ductwork, electrical wiring, plumbing rough-in, and insulation are installed and inspected before drywall closes up the walls.
Step 6: Interior Finishes
Drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and appliances are installed. DSH manages the finish schedule so trades do not step on each other.
Step 7: Final Walkthrough and Handoff
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom home construction in the McKinney to Sherman corridor typically ranges from $200 to $350 per square foot, depending on finishes, lot conditions, and design complexity. A 2,500 square foot home with mid-range finishes might start around $500,000 to $625,000, while a 4,000 square foot luxury build could exceed $1,000,000. DSH provides a detailed written estimate before any contract is signed. [CONFIRM CURRENT PRICING RANGES WITH CLIENT]
Most custom homes take 8 to 14 months from permit to occupancy. Factors that affect timeline include plan complexity, material lead times, weather, and inspection schedules. DSH provides a projected timeline in the contract and communicates updates throughout the build.
DSH builds on owner-provided lots throughout Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties. Before committing to a lot, DSH can evaluate it for soil conditions, utility access, drainage, setbacks, and HOA restrictions.
Building both together is one of DSH's primary advantages. The foundation engineer accounts for pool placement, pool plumbing runs during the home's rough-in, and the electrical panel is sized for both from the start. This saves time, money, and coordination headaches. Learn more at /pool-construction/.
You can bring your own architect or work with DSH's design partners. DSH works from construction-ready architectural plans and can coordinate directly with your architect on structural and material decisions.
DSH provides a written warranty on construction workmanship and materials. [CONFIRM SPECIFIC WARRANTY TERMS WITH CLIENT — typical TX custom home builders offer 1-year full, 2-year mechanical, 10-year structural]
DSH builds steel-frame and hybrid shop homes, barndominiums, and homes with attached workshops on acreage properties. These projects are common in Van Alstyne, Anna, and the Grayson County communities.
DSH orders a geotechnical soil report for every lot and works with licensed structural engineers to design the foundation system. Post-tension slabs, pier-and-beam, and deep beam configurations are selected based on the soil data, not defaulted to a standard template.
DSH can discuss construction loan coordination and financing options during your consultation. Most custom home builds use a construction-to-permanent loan through a lender of your choice.
DSH builds custom homes across McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Plano, Celina, Van Alstyne, Anna, Melissa, Sherman, and surrounding North Texas communities in Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties.
DSH Homes and Pools builds custom homes from two North Texas locations. The McKinney office serves McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and Prosper. The Van Alstyne office covers Van Alstyne, Anna, Melissa, and Sherman. DSH has completed home builds as far south as Plano and on acreage properties throughout Grayson County. Call (903) 321-3172 to discuss your lot and project.
Construction Loan Coordination Available
BBB Accredited, A Rating | 30+ Years Building Homes in North Texas
Related Services
Pool Construction
You have a backyard and a vision, but turning that into a finished gunite pool takes engineering, excavation, plumbing, and electrical coordinated on a single timeline. DSH handles every phase from permit to plaster, building custom inground pools designed for North Texas clay soil conditions.
Pool Remodeling
Cracked plaster, outdated tile, or a pool that just does not match the house you have now. DSH resurfaces, retiles, replumbs, and redesigns existing pools to look and function like new, including deck upgrades, coping replacement, and modern water features.
Gunite Pools
Gunite is sprayed concrete reinforced with steel rebar, built to handle the expansion and contraction cycles that North Texas clay soil puts on every structure in the ground. DSH builds fully custom gunite pools in shapes and depths that fiberglass shells cannot match.
Plunge Pools
Not every backyard needs a 40-foot pool. Plunge pools fit smaller lots and tighter budgets while still giving you a place to cool off from May through October. DSH builds custom plunge pools with options for heating, jets, bench seating, and integrated spas.
Spas and Hot Tubs
A standalone spa or a pool-attached hot tub extends your backyard season past pool weather. DSH builds custom spas with adjustable jets, LED lighting, and heating systems that run independently from the main pool, so you can use them year-round.
Get a Free Custom Home Build
Estimate Today
Building a custom home is the biggest investment most families make. DSH keeps it simple: one contractor, one schedule, one point of accountability from dirt to doorknob. Call (903) 321-3172 for a free lot evaluation and consultation. If you are building a pool too, DSH handles both under the same roof.