Ceci Bates Custom Homes and Remodeling

Ceci Bates Custom Homes and Remodeling Ceci Bates Custom Homes designs and builds custom homes that inspire the imagination.

In many building projects, interior design is an afterthought. It arrives as the architecture stands completed, ready to...
06/03/2026

In many building projects, interior design is an afterthought. It arrives as the architecture stands completed, ready to add aesthetic layers to spaces already carved in stone. This separation often results in a disjointed feeling, where the finishes don't quite synchronize with the architectural vision. At Ceci Bates, we see this as an opportunity for harmony instead of incongruence.

Our process fosters unity between architectural design and interior finishes. Heather Shields, our seasoned interior designer, insists her journey with a new project begins with a conversation with Roberth Jordan, our architect. For Heather, understanding the story Roberth tells through his drawings is paramount. Each window placement, each room orientation, carries intent—an intent rooted in a deep understanding of light, environment, and lifestyle.

This meeting of minds ensures that the materials Heather selects are not just decorative, but also complementary to the architectural design. She refers to her role as placing “the fluff on Roberth's artwork,” ensuring that finishes like flooring or tiles resonate with the architecture's rhythm, rather than exist as separate statements.

By the time Heather meets with clients, she has digested the architect's blueprint and is prepared with selections that reflect the underlying design philosophy. This preemptive alignment means the client steps into a coherent vision, where interior and exterior expressions are consistent and aligned.

At Ceci Bates, we believe that the best interior design refines and completes what the architecture begins. This collaboration is part of how we maintain the quality and cohesion expected from every home we craft. We invite you to explore our process further and see how our team works to bring architectural visions into holistic fruition at cecibates.com.

The assumption that the size of a home dictates its utility costs is as common as it is limiting. Owners of spacious hom...
06/02/2026

The assumption that the size of a home dictates its utility costs is as common as it is limiting. Owners of spacious homes often accept higher energy bills as inevitable. However, this need not be the case. Our recent project, a 3,850 square foot custom home, routinely averages under $200 monthly in electricity costs. This figure is the product of deliberate design and engineering choices, not a single breakthrough technology or technique.

The secret lies in a series of interconnected decisions. This home is constructed as a closed building envelope, minimizing the exchange of conditioned air with the outside environment. By sealing the home effectively, we retain the benefits of temperature regulation without the inefficiencies of constant air replacement.

Furthermore, the HVAC system incorporates 20 SEER variable-speed Bosch compressors and fan motors. Unlike traditional systems that cycle on and off at full capacity, our choice allows the system to adjust continuously to the home’s actual demand, enhancing efficiency and comfort. Coupled with a fresh air exchange, this approach maintains optimal humidity and air quality without compromising the integrity of the building's seal.

Consistency is key. Inside this home, temperature fluctuations are drastically reduced. Every component works in harmony to ensure that energy used is energy conserved. Individually, these elements contribute to improved efficiency, but together they offer an impressive reduction in operating costs that belies the home's square footage.

At Ceci Bates, such performance is not an add-on but an integral part of our design philosophy. We invite you to explore how our approach to building science can redefine what is possible at cecibates.com.

Views from a finished home are often a matter of guesswork during the design phase. An architect might study the lot and...
06/01/2026

Views from a finished home are often a matter of guesswork during the design phase. An architect might study the lot and make educated assumptions about what each room will overlook. Yet, this means the homeowner only truly discovers their views once construction is complete. Occasionally, the result aligns perfectly with their aspirations, but not always.

At Ceci Bates Custom Homes, we've found a way to replace such guesswork with precision. Roberth Jordan, our architect, has integrated drone technology into our design process to ensure that clients know precisely what their vistas will be long before ground is broken. On a recent project situated on a hill above the lake, Roberth deployed a drone to capture images from various elevations — twenty feet, thirty-four feet, and forty-six feet — effectively mapping what each level of the future home would see.

These aerial images were instrumental in guiding the home's design. The house was arranged in three levels, stepping up the hillside to maximize both the views and natural light. The master bedroom was positioned to capture the expansive northern scenery. Common areas were oriented to take advantage of the western light, balancing brightness with comfort. At its pinnacle, the home featured an observation deck complete with a library and powder room, thoughtfully designed so the owners could savor the highest viewpoint without the need for frequent descents.

When Roberth presented the initial sketches, the client already understood the visual experience each room would offer. Such a detailed approach ensures that the design aligns with the clients’ vision, leaving no room for surprises — only certainty.

Designing a home around its views holds true value only when those views have been truly seen and measured. To explore our thoughtful approach to custom home design, we invite you to learn more about Ceci Bates at cecibates.com.

05/29/2026

Behind every custom home we build, there’s a team of people who show up with skill, integrity, and pride in their craft.

On May 22nd, we honored them at our 3rd Annual Subcontractor & Vendor Fishing Trip & Fish Fry Awards — a day of good company, great food, and well-deserved recognition.

To every trade partner and vendor in the Ceci Bates family: we don’t build without you, and we wouldn’t want to. 🎣🏆

Some towns seem to grow around the gravitational pull of a single industry or development, their fortunes tied to a sing...
05/29/2026

Some towns seem to grow around the gravitational pull of a single industry or development, their fortunes tied to a single destiny. Others, like Denison, Texas, flourish because they are simply in the right place at the right time. For years, Denison has experienced growth organically, benefiting from its geographic and civic attributes.

Situated along the Highway 75 corridor in Grayson County, Denison finds itself strategically positioned between Sherman to the south and the expansive shores of Lake Texoma to the north. This location has established it as one of the larger communities within the immediate sphere of influence serviced by Ceci Bates Custom Homes. The company has long recognized Denison as a reliable source of custom home projects, each reflecting a unique blend of local character and individual owner preferences.

Denison boasts a downtown with authentic character, echoing its heritage while supporting a vibrant civic life. Its proximity to Lake Texoma offers residents the luxury of lakeside experiences with only a short drive. Additionally, Denison is close enough to Sherman to share its commercial resources, yet distinct enough from the sprawling metroplex to maintain its own distinct identity rather than serving as another suburb. Homeowners who decide to plant roots in Denison are often seeking both the urban conveniences of a smaller city and the natural allure of a major lake.

At Ceci Bates, we understand the land and local nuances of Denison well. Our team knows how to tailor each home to fit the community's unique landscape and architectural language. Denison’s steady, thoughtful growth signals that it’s more than just a good town — it is the ideal location for a home designed to endure through time.

Those interested in exploring the character of Denison and the potential for custom home building are invited to learn more about our work and process at cecibates.com. It’s a pursuit worth the time for those who value longevity and quality.

In custom home construction, the small misalignments often tell the tale. A finish might differ slightly from expectatio...
05/28/2026

In custom home construction, the small misalignments often tell the tale. A finish might differ slightly from expectations, a stain might not dry to the intended hue, or a material might be placed contrary to its original design intent. Such discrepancies sometimes only become evident to clients after completion; their origin lies in the transition from design to ex*****on on-site.

Within Ceci Bates Custom Homes, Heather Shields plays a crucial role in bridging this important transition. As our interior designer, Heather ensures each design decision sees its true realization in the field. For every home, she works directly with skilled trades — the cabinetmakers, stain crews, tile setters, painters, and flooring installers. Over years, she has cultivated relationships of trust and familiarity with many of these professionals, fostering an environment where open communication prevails.

Heather’s job site visits are more than routine check-ups; they are essential evaluations that uphold the integrity of her detailed vision. In her role, she identifies and addresses potential issues early: stain colors that might need adjusting, finishes that aren't being applied as planned, or misaligned details. Her presence is a safeguard, especially for clients who live outside our region and can’t visit the site frequently. For them, Heather acts as a dedicated representative, ensuring that their investment aligns with their expectations and the plan.

The design journey, as Heather demonstrates, extends beyond the initial phases. Ensuring that the project's vision is respected in the field remains an interior designer's duty. We invite you to learn more about Heather and the rest of our team at cecibates.com, where your next steps in home building begin with thoughtful conversation.

Allowance is one of the most common words found in a custom home contract. It's also one of the most misunderstood. Most...
05/27/2026

Allowance is one of the most common words found in a custom home contract. It's also one of the most misunderstood. Most clients interpret it as a reasonable estimate of what they might spend on a category of materials such as flooring, lighting, or fixtures. Yet, many builders write it as more of a placeholder, unverified and nebulous.

An allowance traditionally functions as a plausible yet unverified number set by builders. For instance, a flooring allowance is decided without insight into the client's aesthetic preferences or desired materials. Similarly, a lighting allowance is made without selecting specific fixtures. Down the line, when the client visits a showroom and chooses what genuinely appeals to them, the actual costs frequently exceed the initial allowance. This discrepancy often leads to change orders—a situation that understandably fosters frustration.

At Ceci Bates, we take a different approach. Our allowance is not an aspirational figure but a concrete commitment grounded in client choices. Heather Shields, our interior designer, partners with clients early on, ensuring selections are made during the design phase. Each allowance listed in the budget reflects actual products the client has chosen, along with associated installation costs. Should there be a change of heart regarding selections, every adjustment is transparently documented, and new costs are updated promptly. This makes our allowance not just a number but a reflection of decisions already made by the client.

The difference between an allowance you can trust and one you can’t can profoundly affect whether a budget remains stable or not. At Ceci Bates, we’re committed to ensuring that it does. Explore our approach to transparent and reliable budgeting at cecibates.com.

At a lake home, the moments spent outdoors often hold a significance that transcends the time spent in any single room i...
05/26/2026

At a lake home, the moments spent outdoors often hold a significance that transcends the time spent in any single room inside. The light carries a unique quality, the air feels crisper, and conversations find a different rhythm under an open sky. Yet, despite this potential, outdoor spaces are sometimes crafted without the foresight that they will truly be lived in.

At Ceci Bates Custom Homes, the design of outdoor living areas is as deliberate and detailed as any interior space. Our approach begins with understanding how you, the homeowner, intend to live and entertain beyond your walls. Take outdoor kitchens, for instance. These aren't mere fixtures—they are designed with real-world cooking in mind, featuring vents positioned for optimal air flow, ample counter spaces for preparation, and storage solutions that defend equipment against the elements.

Consider the position of a fire pit. It's not simply an aesthetic addition but rather a carefully situated focal point. We assess wind patterns to prevent smoke from disrupting those gathered around it, and we ensure seating arrangements offer views that make every glance worthwhile. Covered patios are designed with gatherings in mind—not just meeting code with minimal dimensions, but genuinely accommodating social events, big or small.

Lighting schemes extend the usability of these spaces beyond dusk, avoiding the starkness of industrial lights while highlighting the beauty of the setting. From initial concept through each selection, the outdoor elements are an integral part of the design process, with our architect and interior designer working in concert. Their synergy ensures that finishes resonate with the home's overall aesthetic and the architectural lines remain harmonious and intentional.

Ultimately, an outdoor living space's true worth is evidenced by how often it draws you outside, away from the confines of rooms, to where evenings unfold in comforting embrace. Learn more about Ceci Bates' thoughtful approach to designing these crucial areas and how they transform living on cecibates.com.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who gave everything so we could build a life worth living.At Ceci Bates Custo...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who gave everything so we could build a life worth living.

At Ceci Bates Custom Homes, every home we build is a testament to that freedom. A space where memories are made, families gather, and futures are shaped.

Thank you to all who served 🇺🇸

The most consequential decisions in custom home construction are often those the owner will never see. The foundation se...
05/25/2026

The most consequential decisions in custom home construction are often those the owner will never see. The foundation serves as the bedrock of the home, supporting each load from the structure above. An undetected error here can lead to substantial issues decades later, issues that may be costly to remedy.

At Ceci Bates, we practice a meticulous approach to structural engineering, one that goes beyond industry norms to assure quality and durability. As Bogdan Taut completes the structural plans for each project, specialized software pinpoints every location on the foundation where a concentrated load will descend from above. Each of these potential stress points is calculated with precision.

Our commitment to structural integrity involves a unique process: cross-referencing all structural loads exceeding 5,000 pounds with an independent foundation engineer's calculations before any construction commences. This partnership involves a rigorous examination where our engineering calculations are verified against an external expert's assessments. Any discrepancies are meticulously resolved before the foundation is set, ensuring it is tailored to withstand the exact loads it will encounter.

This layered verification is a practice few custom builders adopt, yet it underscores our fundamental understanding that preemptive problem-solving at the foundation stage is both prudent and vital. The foresight to catch potential issues early is a minor expense compared to the potential cost and complexity of future repairs.

The discipline required to construct homes that endure for generations begins with thorough verification of foundational elements. To understand more about our thoughtful approach to engineering, explore our process at cecibates.com.

Address

81750 Highway 289
Pottsboro, TX
75076

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19037712225

Website

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