Building the standard of Trust in Fort Bend County
Building a home is likely the largest investment you will ever make. In Needville, Rosenberg, or Richmond, it’s not just about the square footage; it’s about the life you plan to lead within those walls. However, for many families, the excitement of a new build is quickly overshadowed by a cloud of financial uncertainty. You wonder if the “allowances” in your contract are realistic, or if your builder is quietly padding the price of every 2×4 and light fixture.
At Hawkeye Construction, we believe that the only way to build a home is with your cards face up on the table. We’ve replaced the traditional, secretive “fixed-price” model with something we call radical transparency. We don’t just tell you what things cost; we prove it.
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Key Takeaways:
- Total Financial Clarity: We operate on a true “Cost Plus” basis where you pay the actual cost of materials plus an agreed-upon percentage.
- The Receipt Rule: Every item put into your home is documented and shared with you.
- Savings Pass-Through: If we find a “screaming deal” on high-end materials, the savings go directly to you, not our bottom line.
Why Industry Standard Pricing Often Leaves You Guessing
In a typical construction project, the homeowner is often kept at arm’s length from the actual costs. Most builders provide a “lump sum” or a fixed-bid quote that hides their margins. If the cost of lumber goes down, the builder pockets the difference. If they find a cheaper source for your flooring, you still pay the original high price.
This lack of clarity is the primary source of apprehension for homeowners. It creates a relationship where your interests and your builder’s interests are in direct conflict. We founded Hawkeye Construction specifically to solve this. Mike spent years in the corporate building world and he saw that “something wasn’t right” with how clients were being treated. We decided that our company would be different.
The Hawkeye Solution: The Open-Book “Cost Plus” Model
Our concept is simple: provide a solid service for a fair price. We typically work on a true “Cost Plus” basis. On each project, we provide a detailed estimate of what we expect it to cost. But that estimate isn’t the final word, it’s just the starting point.
Throughout the build, we track every penny. At the end of the project, we download our QuickBooks account specifically for your home. We add our agreed-upon General Contractor fee to the actual costs, and that is your total. This ensures that our goals are perfectly aligned with yours. If we save money by finding a great deal, you keep that money.
A Process Designed for Your Peace of Mind
Our transparency begins long before the first foundation is poured. Because Mike “makes it work” and Kim “makes it pretty,” we vet every “grandiose” idea against both structural reality and financial clarity from the start. We often invite clients to our home to review plans, building a level of rapport that makes the entire process fun rather than stressful.
We also utilize specialized subcontractors who have worked with Mike for up to 20 years. These tradespeople share our value systems and understand that on a Hawkeye job site, every invoice must be clear and every standard must be met. Whether we are building a 900-square-foot cottage or a 10,000-square-foot estate, the technical rigor remains the same.
Building a Legacy of Absolute Truth
When we started Hawkeye, we didn’t even have a registered company name or a bank account, yet our first client handed us a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars. They did that because they trusted Mike’s reputation. We have spent every day since then working to earn and keep that kind of trust with every client in Needville and beyond.
We believe that your custom home journey should be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. By removing the financial “sh*t show” and replacing it with radical transparency, we allow you to focus on the joy of creating a home that will stay in your family for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Cost Plus” actually mean for my budget? It means total honesty. You pay the actual cost of labor and materials, plus a fixed percentage for our management. If costs are lower than the estimate, you keep the savings.
Does this transparency apply to barndominiums and renovations too? Absolutely. We apply the same open-book standards to every project we touch, from 10,000-square-foot custom estates to complex additions.
Where does Hawkeye Construction build? We primarily serve Fort Bend and Brazoria County, including Needville, Rosenberg, Richmond, Thompson, and Sugarland.
How does Kimberly’s real estate background help with the budget? Kimberly understands what adds value to a home and what doesn’t. She helps you make design choices that aren’t just “pretty” but are also smart long-term investments.
About the Author
The Hawkeye Construction Editorial Team is led by Michael and Kimberly Johnson. Mike has been in the building side of construction since 1999, serving as a Director of Construction for large-scale national builders before founding Hawkeye. Kimberly has held her Real Estate License since 1996, with expertise spanning Minnesota, California, and Texas. Based in Needville, they founded Hawkeye in 2018 on the principle of radical transparency. They specialize in “Cost Plus” custom homes and are the pioneers who built the first Fortified home in Texas.
