The Process
What Happens When You Build a Custom Home at Oaks of Tyrone
From your first conversation with Rob to closing day — the complete journey, in plain language.
Building a custom home can feel overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. That's why I walk every buyer through the entire process before a single shovel hits the ground. Here's exactly what happens when you build at Oaks of Tyrone — ten steps, from vision to move-in, with no surprises along the way.
The Consultation
It starts with a conversation. You meet with me — Rob Moen — and we talk about what you're looking for in a home. Your budget, your timeline, your family's needs, the features that matter most. Then we tour the available wooded one-acre homesites at Oaks of Tyrone so you can see the land, feel the space, and start imagining where your home will sit.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just an honest look at the homesites and what's possible on each one. By the end of this meeting, you'll have a clear picture of whether Oaks of Tyrone is the right fit.
Choose Your Floor Plan
Big Sky Development offers ranch, 1.5-story, and two-story floor plans — all fully customizable. You can start with one of the existing plans and modify it, or design something entirely from scratch. Want to add a first-floor primary suite? Expand the kitchen? Add a three-car garage? Everything is on the table.
During this phase, we'll review the available floor plans, discuss what works for your lot's topography, and narrow down the design direction before you visit the design center.
Design Center Selections
This is the fun part. You work directly with Big Sky's in-house design team in their own showroom — picking finishes, fixtures, countertops, flooring, cabinetry, lighting, and hardware. Every selection is guided by experienced designers who do this every day, so you get expert input alongside your own vision.
There's no rush here. Big Sky gives you the time you need to make decisions you'll be happy with for decades. And because the design team is in-house, changes and questions are easy to handle throughout the process.
Site Preparation
Once your plan is finalized and permits are in hand, Big Sky begins site preparation on your wooded one-acre homesite. This includes selective clearing (preserving mature trees wherever possible), grading, foundation work, and utility connections. It's where the plan starts becoming real.
Big Sky's tree preservation approach means your homesite keeps its natural character. You'll see the building pad take shape while the surrounding mature oaks and hardwoods stay exactly where they belong.
Framing & Structural
This is the most exciting phase for most buyers — watching your home take shape. The framing goes up, the roofline appears, and suddenly you're walking through rooms you've only seen on paper. Big Sky uses 2x6 exterior construction for superior insulation and structural integrity, and the owner personally inspects framing before it's covered.
You'll receive regular updates during this phase, and you're welcome to visit the site to see the progress firsthand.
Mechanical Systems
Behind the walls, the critical systems are installed: electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC (Carrier equipment is standard), and insulation. Everything is built to current Michigan energy codes, which means better efficiency, lower utility bills, and a more comfortable home year-round.
Big Sky's trade partners are experienced professionals who've worked with the builder for years. Quality and consistency are built into every system.
Interior Finishes
Drywall, paint, trim work, cabinetry, and flooring go in — the selections you made at the design center come to life. This is when your custom home starts looking and feeling like yours. Big Sky's carpenters and finish crews are skilled craftspeople who take pride in the details.
Crown molding, baseboards, door casings, wainscoting — whatever trim details you've chosen — are installed with precision. This is where custom really shows.
Final Details
Countertops are installed, fixtures and appliances go in, and exterior landscaping begins. Your kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces take their final form. Outside, the grading is finalized, driveways are paved, and the landscaping brings your wooded homesite together.
This is also when Big Sky installs any specialty items — built-in shelving, fireplace surrounds, custom tile work, or other features you've selected during design.
Final Walkthrough
Before closing, you walk through every room with Big Sky's team. This is a detailed inspection where you review every element of your home — from door hardware to grout lines to appliance operation. Any punch list items are identified and addressed before closing day.
This walkthrough typically takes 2 to 3 hours. You're encouraged to bring a notebook and take your time. Big Sky wants you to be completely satisfied before you sign off.
Closing Day
Keys in hand, warranty in your file, and a home that's entirely yours. Big Sky's 10-year in-house structural warranty — nine times longer than Michigan's state requirement — begins at closing. You'll also receive all appliance manuals, warranty documentation, and a direct line to Big Sky for any questions that come up after you move in.
This is the day everything has been building toward. And it's just the beginning of living in a home you designed.
Why Big Sky Is Different
What sets Big Sky Development apart from other builders
Big Sky Development has been building custom homes in Southeast Michigan since 1994 — more than 30 years of continuous construction without ever pausing operations. Through two recessions and a pandemic, Big Sky kept building. That kind of stability matters when you're trusting someone with your largest investment.
The owner, Tino Pulice, personally visits active jobsites to oversee quality standards on every home. That's not a marketing line — it's how Big Sky operates. When you build with Big Sky, you're not a number in a production queue. You're a family building a home, and the owner of the company knows your name.
Big Sky was the first builder in Southeast Michigan to offer a true in-house 10-year structural warranty, and every home is built with more than 96% American-made materials and labor. Learn more about Big Sky Development.
30+ Years
Building continuously since 1994 — never paused operations through recessions or pandemic.
10-Year Warranty
True in-house structural warranty — nine times the Michigan state requirement.
96% American-Made
Materials and labor sourced domestically — you know where everything comes from.
Owner on the Jobsite
Tino Pulice personally oversees quality on every home under construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the building process
Everything visible and touchable in your home is your choice: countertops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures, lighting, hardware, paint colors, trim details, and appliance packages. Structural changes — like room additions, ceiling height modifications, and layout adjustments — are also available during the design phase.
Some changes are possible depending on the stage of construction. Early-stage changes (during framing, before mechanical systems are installed) are easier to accommodate. Changes after drywall or finish work begins are more limited and may affect timeline and cost. Your project manager will walk you through what's possible at each stage.
Every home includes a 10-Year In-house Structural Warranty — the first of its kind offered by a builder in Southeast Michigan. This covers structural elements and is nine times longer than Michigan's state-required minimum. Big Sky was the first builder in the region to offer this as a true in-house warranty, not a third-party product.
You'll have a dedicated project manager from Big Sky Development as your primary contact. I'm also available anytime — as your agent and Big Sky's Marketing Director, I serve as a direct line between you and the builder. Call, text, or email whenever you need something.
Ready to start your custom home journey?
The first step is a conversation. Let's talk about what you want and whether Oaks of Tyrone is the right fit.