When Kim and Tom Hartman moved to Austin almost a decade ago, they found plenty of houses they liked, but not a single home that would suit their family. “We have two children who have autism, and their needs are very different,” says Kim of their son, now 17, and daughter, now 19. “We ultimately determined that we needed to build a sensory-driven home because we couldn’t find anything that could meet all of our needs.”

After an extensive interview process with multiple builders, the Hartmans found Kelly Wunsch of Capital Construction Company, who helped them build a home that improved the way they lived and provided them with a newfound sense of freedom. “When it came to finding a builder, trust was the No. 1 priority for us because we were going to ask for some unconventional things,” Kim says. “We knew he would bring our vision to life to create our destination home, knowing that our children may be living with us for many years to come.”

Throughout the building process of their five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house, which is a four-star-rated green home designed by Barley Pfeiffer Architecture, Wunsch not only understood the concepts that the Hartmans brought forth, but he was able to elaborate on them.

Homebuilders are combatting cost contagion. “On time and on budget” is out the window for many — if they can even get windows delivered. We take a look at how some local custom homebuilders are getting creative with materials and contracts to keep up with the region’s hunger for housing during supply chain chaos. Also included with this story is our latest data-filled list of custom homebuilders.

Designing for a speculative homeowner requires a bold vision and a subtle touch. Such was the demand of firm Kelle Contine Interior Design for a new construction in Tarrytown in collaboration with architects Hugh Jefferson Randolph and builders Capital Construction.