Custom Home Construction
At Austin Touchstone Builders, we proudly design and construct custom net-zero homes throughout the greater Austin area—including Spicewood, Leander, Burnet, Bee Cave, Lake Travis, and Westlake. Wherever you envision your dream home, we bring the expertise, craftsmanship, and building science needed to make it a reality.
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Our team combines decades of experience with a second-to-none network of skilled subcontractors to deliver high-performance homes that meet the standards of both Net-Zero and Passive House construction. By integrating ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) or advanced 2x6 spray foam wall systems, high-performance windows and doors, and state-of-the-art HVAC systems with ERV air filtration, we create airtight, durable homes with superior indoor air quality. Add in solar panels, smart home systems, and energy-efficient appliances, and the result is a home that performs as beautifully as it looks—cutting energy bills by up to 80%.
Our custom energy-efficient homes are built to outperform traditional construction, offering unmatched resilience against tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and even termites. Compared to standard homes, they deliver lower maintenance, lower operating costs, and a quieter, healthier living environment for your family.
Beyond energy efficiency, we offer unmatched versatility. From heavy-gauge steel framing up to five stories to light-gauge steel interiors, radius roof systems, and off-grid solar power, our capabilities extend to even the most complex designs. We’ve built homes on steep hillsides, flood plains, ranch land, and within some of Austin’s most exclusive communities—always tailoring the design to the environment and client vision. Whether your style is Contemporary, Mediterranean, Craftsman, Ranch, or modern custom design, our team has the skill and experience to bring it to life.
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With Austin Touchstone Builders, you don’t just get a house—you get a one-of-a-kind net-zero custom home in Austin that’s engineered for efficiency, durability, and beauty.
Consulting Builder Program
At Austin Touchstone Builders, we understand that many clients want to build a high-performance, responsibly sized home while staying within a fixed budget. That’s why we offer our exclusive Consulting Builder Program—a service designed to make the process of creating a custom net-zero or energy-efficient home in Austin, TX both cost-effective and stress-free.
Through this program, we collaborate directly with you, your architect, and your engineer during the design phase. By aligning performance goals, durability standards, and budget constraints early on, we help ensure your project is designed for long-term success from the very beginning. This proactive approach prevents costly redesigns later, while keeping your net-zero or ICF home on track for efficiency and comfort.
Clients pay a consulting fee only if they decide to move forward with a different builder. If you choose to build with Austin Touchstone Builders, the consulting fee is fully applied to the builder’s fee—meaning there’s no added cost for choosing us as your partner.
By integrating building science expertise into the planning stage, we make it possible to achieve your performance, health, and durability goals without exceeding your budget. Our goal is to deliver a custom energy-efficient home that reflects your vision while optimizing every dollar invested.
Net-Zero Consulting For Builders
At Austin Touchstone Builders, our expertise extends beyond building homes in Central Texas—we also provide net-zero consulting services for builders nationwide. For builders outside our immediate service area, we offer professional guidance to help you deliver net-zero and net-zero ready homes for your clients.
Through this program, our team reviews your project’s plans, design, and engineering documents to identify the modifications needed to meet net-zero performance standards. Whether it’s upgrading insulation, integrating airtight construction practices, optimizing HVAC systems, or preparing for renewable energy integration, we provide the insight and strategies required to take your build to the next level.
All of our net-zero and net-zero ready homes are certifiable through the U.S. Department of Energy, of which we are a proud partner. Each DOE-certified home receives a certificate of authenticity and a unique VIN# assigned directly by the Department of Energy. This certification not only validates your work but also increases the resale value of the home by monetizing its energy efficiency and health benefits.
By leveraging our net-zero building science expertise, other builders can confidently expand their offerings, deliver higher-performing homes, and meet the growing demand for sustainable, energy-efficient housing.
A zero-energy home—also known as a zero net energy (ZNE) home, net-zero home, or zero-carbon home—is designed so that the total amount of energy it consumes annually is equal to the amount of renewable energy it produces on-site. This balance dramatically reduces reliance on fossil fuels and significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional homes. While these homes may occasionally draw on non-renewable energy sources, they offset that usage by generating clean, renewable energy, resulting in a net-zero impact.
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At Austin Touchstone Builders, our custom net-zero homes in Austin, TX combine advanced building science with airtight construction to reduce energy bills by up to 80% in Net-Zero Ready Homes, and in many cases down to virtually nothing in Net-Zero Homes. A Net-Zero Ready Home is built with the same high-performance envelope and systems but without solar panels installed at the time of construction. Every home we build is fully pre-wired and designed for seamless solar integration whenever the homeowner chooses.
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While net-zero construction typically adds only 5–10% to the cost of a traditional home, most homeowners find that the slight increase in monthly mortgage payments is more than offset by dramatically reduced energy bills. The overall expense often balances out to the same as a standard home—but with far greater benefits: a higher-performing, longer-lasting, quieter, healthier, and more comfortable home.
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Our net-zero and ICF homes are also engineered for resilience. With thermally sealed envelopes, concrete strength, and airtight construction, they are resistant to tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and termites—offering unmatched durability in Central Texas and beyond. Along with lower operating costs and less frequent maintenance, these homes represent the best of modern sustainable living.
