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What Happens During a Step 2 Meeting with Custom Built?

December 7th, 2022 | 3 min. read

By Michael Flory

3D rendering of remodeled kitchen

We hope you had a tremendous experience at the Step 1 meeting and we are excited to be working with you on your remodeling project. 

The purpose of the Step 2 meeting is for you to view the 3D conceptual design of your home and work together with the Project Development Advisor and Designer to create the final design of your project.

Your participation in the Step 2 meeting is crucial to your happiness with your remodeling project and experience with Custom Built. Since this meeting is where your ultimate design is crafted, you’ll want to make sure you are ready to communicate your ideas well. 

No worries, we’ve got a lot of experience walking our clients through this process. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to effectively engage in the Step 2 meeting. This will ensure that you walk away with a project design you are excited about.

You’ll know what decisions you’ll need to make and what our Project Development Advisor and Designer will want from you. You’ll be ready to help us bring your dream project a step closer to reality!

3D rendering of outdoor deck space

The Step 2 meeting

The Step 2 meeting is the second of four meetings that make up the design phase of the Custom Built process. 

Step 2 meetings take place at our showroom in Okemos, MI. We will have decided on the date and time of this meeting together at the end of our Step 1 meeting.

The purpose of the Step 2 meeting is for you to view, make changes to, and finalize the 3D conceptual design of your remodel project. This was generated with the measurements gathered during your Step 1 meeting, and is based on our discussions up to that point. 

This design proposal is built on your preferred style, needs, wants, and desires for your remodeling project.

It is a first draft that we will work on perfecting during your Step 2 meeting. You will be able to add product selections and make any changes you want.

For smaller projects, the design and product selection process can be achieved with a single Step 2 meeting. For larger and more complex projects, up to three Step 2 meetings may be required to fully finalize your design vision.

What the Step 2 meeting will accomplish

The ultimate goal of the Step 2 meeting is to finalize the design layout and product selections for your remodeling project.

We have some physical product samples as well as virtual product selections for you to view in our showroom. 

By the end of the meeting, you will have a very good idea of what your final product will look like, using the same product selections in the 3D model that will be used in real life.

What decisions will I have to make during the Step 2 meeting?

You will work with your Project Development Advisor and Designer during the Step 2 meeting to decide on the final design and product selections for your home remodeling project.

You will make decisions about:

  • Floor plan layout
  • Specific product selections
  • Size of the remodeled space
  • Location and style of fixtures
  • Layout of cabinets and drawers
  • Integration into the rest of the home
  • Color of walls, cabinets, drawers, etc

3D rendering of remodeled bathroom

During the Step 2 meeting, we focus on hearing your input on the design of your remodel. We will not be satisfied with the final design until you are. 

If there are changes you want to make but are not advised to due to structural, code, or practical reasons, your Product Development Advisor or Designer will help you understand what can and cannot be changed.

Preparing for the Step 2 meeting?

The Step 2 meeting requires the most input from you throughout the design process. We will engage in a thoughtful discussion about every aspect of your project, during which the Designer will make changes to the 3D conceptual design in real-time.

We recommend the following:

  • Have all decision-makers present
  • Be ready for energetic discussions 
  • Bring inspirational pictures with you
  • Set aside approx 2 hours for the meeting
  • Be ready to voice your opinions about the final design

Next steps after the Step 2 meeting

Once your design layout and product selections have been finalized, we will be able to generate a final price for your project. 

The typical time between Step 2 & 3 meetings is 2-3 weeks. During that time we will be pulling together costs for all materials and product selections, permits and inspections, trade partners, and labor costs.

In between the Step 2 & 3 meetings, we will bring our trade partners out to your home to assess your project. Their input is needed to put together the price and construction plans.

When the price and construction plans are finalized, we will reach back out to you to schedule the Step 3 meeting, which also takes place at our showroom.

To see design options you can draw inspiration from, consider reading the following:


Michael Flory