Elevated Design Build
New Construction Homes in Northern Colorado
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Elevated Design Build is one of several active across the region — start by browsing Northern Colorado cities for new construction, or explore the full picture of new construction homes in Northern Colorado to compare your options.
Builder Overview
Elevated Design Build is a full-service design and construction company based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded by Dave Kaplan, who is the general manager, lead designer, hands-on builder, and a Passive House certified tradesperson, the company focuses on custom homes, timber frame structures, and high-performance building envelopes. Their tagline, "Sustainably Built, Exceptionally Crafted," sums up the approach.
Experience: The team has more than 100 years of combined experience and has completed over 500 projects in 14 US states and 4 countries. Several team members hold Passive House certifications, and the company is a member of the Timber Framers Guild, the U.S. Green Building Council, the Natural Building Alliance, and the Colorado Green Building Guild, and is an Energy Star partner.
What They Build: • Custom homes, designed and built in-house from concept through completion • Timber frame homes and structures, from rustic to modern minimalist • Green and net-zero ready homes built with natural, non-toxic materials • Shell packages: prefabricated timber frames and wall/roof panel kits for owner-builders and other contractors • Outdoor living: pergolas, pavilions, covered patios, and pool houses • Kitchen and bathroom remodels
Where They Build: Elevated Design Build works throughout Northern Colorado and the foothills, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Wellington, Laporte, Berthoud, Johnstown, Longmont, Erie, Boulder, Lyons, Estes Park, Livermore, and Red Feather Lakes.
Recognition: Elevated Design Build was named a Mountain Living Top Builder for 2026 and has had a Featured Build in Colorado Homes & Lifestyles. Portfolio projects include Mummy Overlook, Rocky Ridge, Painted Sky, Appelleaf, Stonegate, Lakeshore, and the Basta Pool House.
Quick Facts
Builder Type
Custom Builder
Starting From
Varies by community
Active Communities
Contact for details
Cities
Northern Colorado
What buyers & agents say about Elevated Design Build
Real, verified feedback from Northern Colorado buyers and Realtors.
Buyer reviews of Elevated Design Build
Reviews reflect individual buyer experiences and opinions. Experiences may vary by builder, community, superintendent, home type, construction timeline, and warranty process. Reviews are moderated for spam, profanity, personal attacks, and policy violations, but are not independently verified for factual accuracy.
Realtor perspectives on Elevated Design Build
Agent insights reflect individual professional opinions based on past transactions and client experiences. Experiences may vary by community, superintendent, timeline, and market conditions.
Builder Snapshot
Builder Type
Custom Builder
Price Range
Varies by Community
Active Communities
Contact for availability
Build Locations
Northern Colorado
Warranty
Builder Standard Warranty
Mark's Insight
Mark Leavitt
Nixon Team at RE/MAX Alliance
From a Realtor's point of view, the biggest difference with a custom design-build firm like Elevated is that the process starts with land and design, not a model home. Most of the questions you'll face happen before construction: Is the lot buildable? What will well, septic, or utility connections cost? What does the county or HOA allow? Finding the right lot is where I can help the most, before you're under contract.
Financing is also different. A custom build usually needs a construction loan (or construction-to-permanent loan), with draws paid out as work is completed. Get a lender who does construction loans involved early so the design and the budget grow together.
Finally, high-performance features like airtight envelopes, heavy insulation, and timber framing cost more up front but pay you back in comfort, lower utility bills, and resale appeal. Ask Elevated to show you the energy modeling or performance targets for your home so you know what you're paying for.
Questions Worth Asking
What performance targets (air-tightness, HERS, or Passive House) do you plan for my home?
Can you give me a preliminary budget range before full design?
What's your typical timeline from design to move-in?
How do you handle change orders and allowances?
What warranty do you provide, and who handles service after closing?
Can I tour a completed home or talk to past clients?
Builder Rep
Dave Kaplan
Dave Kaplan is the founder, general manager, and lead designer of Elevated Design Build, and still a hands-on builder. He is a Passive House certified tradesperson and leads each project from first sketch through construction, helping owners design homes that fit their land, their budget, and the way they want to live.
Buyer Fit
Great Fit If You...
- ✓Buyers who already own land or are ready to buy a lot
- ✓Owners who want a timber frame or mountain-modern custom home
- ✓Eco-conscious buyers who care about energy efficiency and non-toxic materials
- ✓Buyers who want to work closely with the designer and builder
- ✓Experienced owner-builders who want a timber frame or panel shell package
May Not Be Ideal If You...
- •Buyers who need a move-in-ready home soon
- •Shoppers looking for builder incentives or rate buydowns
- •Buyers who don't want to be involved in design decisions
- •Buyers without land or a plan to buy a lot
Elevated Design Build Communities
No Active Communities Listed
Elevated Design Build doesn't have any active communities listed at this time. Contact us for the latest availability and upcoming projects.
Builder Gallery
What Buyers Should Know
Incentives & Lender Relationships
- Builders often offer incentives when using their preferred lender
- Compare builder incentives to outside lender rates carefully
- Incentives can change monthly — always confirm current offers
Lot Premiums
- Premium lots (corners, views, larger) cost extra
- Lot premiums are negotiable in some markets
- Understand which lots have premiums before selecting
Upgrade Pricing
- Builder upgrades typically have higher margins
- Some upgrades are easier to add post-close
- Focus on structural upgrades that can't be done later
Contract & Timeline
- Build timelines can shift — plan for flexibility
- Understand earnest money and deposit requirements
- Review cancellation terms carefully
Customization Limits
- Production builders have limited floor plan changes
- Some finish selections must be made by certain deadlines
- Ask what's standard vs. upgrade early in the process
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New Construction Buyer Guide
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Financing Options
Builder incentives vs. independent lending — explained.
New Construction Inspections
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Cities Where Elevated Design Build Builds Homes
Elevated Design Build builds new construction homes across several Northern Colorado communities including Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Wellington, Berthoud, Johnstown, Longmont, Erie. Explore each city to see current availability, pricing, and community details.
Explore More New Construction Resources
Buyers exploring builders like Elevated Design Build often compare communities across Northern Colorado. You can use our builder match tool to find the best fit for your needs, or browse the full Northern Colorado new construction guide.
Explore New Construction in Northern Colorado
Continue your research with these key Northern Colorado new construction resources.
Explore Top Northern Colorado Cities
Browse new construction homes in Northern Colorado's most active markets — each page lists current builders, communities, and pricing.
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Explore Next
Curated next steps so you can keep building your buyer knowledge.
Best For
- Buyers who already own land or are ready to buy a lot
- Owners who want a timber frame or mountain-modern custom home
- Eco-conscious buyers who care about energy efficiency and non-toxic materials
- Buyers who want to work closely with the designer and builder
- Experienced owner-builders who want a timber frame or panel shell package
Not Ideal For
- Buyers who need a move-in-ready home soon
- Shoppers looking for builder incentives or rate buydowns
- Buyers who don't want to be involved in design decisions
- Buyers without land or a plan to buy a lot
Related Topics
Common Buyer Questions
Last verified: 2026-09-27
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