Ceci Bates Custom Homes and Remodeling

11/02/2026

The people who shape a place over the long arc of decades are rarely those who set out with that intention. Instead, they focus on the work before them, year after year, until the place is subtly and indelibly defined by their presence. Such is the story of Tom Ceci, who began building in the Lake Texoma region in the 1980s, long before the founding of Ceci Bates Custom Homes.

Tom's journey as a builder began well over a decade before his partnership with Scott Bates in 1999. These were formative years, building in the Lake Texoma area, where his approach to quality and craftsmanship was honed. It was during this period that Tom established the standards he was willing to uphold, the manner in which he engaged tradespeople, and the profile of work he deemed worthy of bearing his name. When Scott joined him, and Ceci Bates came into being, Tom continued to fortify the production side of the business. He remains a steady hand, overseeing the construction process once a design is complete, drawing upon the wisdom accumulated over twenty-six years.

In addition, Tom has taken on the mantle of leadership as the mayor of Pottsboro—a role that not only reflects decades of thoughtful conduct but also connects intimately with his work as a builder. The trust that allowed him to assume this role is, in many ways, rooted in the same care and commitment that has produced over a thousand homes across this community. The connection between the two roles is unmistakable, revealing a consistency of character that resonates both with clients who trust him to construct their homes and with citizens who trust him to guide their town.

The credibility of a builder is most clearly measured by the community that has known them the longest. Tom Ceci exemplifies this truth, balancing his dual roles with the same integrity and commitment he has demonstrated in his longstanding career. To learn more about the legacy of Tom Ceci and the team at Ceci Bates, we invite you to explore further at cecibates.com.

10/30/2026

In the world of custom home design, it is common to begin with a framework of limitations. Budget constraints are established, measurements of the lot are taken, and requirements are outlined. From these parameters, architects are tasked with crafting a home that fits snugly within pre-defined boundaries. Often, the result is a home that satisfies the requirements but rarely surprises or delights.

Roberth Jordan, the architect at Ceci Bates Custom Homes, takes an entirely different approach. For Roberth, a project’s potential is as significant as its constraints. He starts each design with a broad vision, courageously exploring what could be, rather than what must be. This expansive thinking isn't about ignoring budget and practical considerations; rather, it allows the design to reach a place of true potential before being refined to its essential core.

Roberth is known for creating ambitious sketches that challenge and redefine the preconceived limits of a lot. These initial concepts explore the full extent of what the site could accommodate—what the home might feel like basking in ideal sunlight, how its spaces could flow if given the freedom to expand, and what unique features might be enjoyed if only imagined from a place of possibility.

As the design process unfolds, ambitions are scaled thoughtfully. Ideas are carefully weighed, priorities assessed, and each decision made with clarity of purpose. What remains in the final design is not a compromise, but rather the distilled essence of what truly matters to the client. The end result is a home that retains the inspired vision it began with, eschewing the predictability of constraint-driven designs.

A custom home that is truly worth building is one that starts as an exploration into possibility and ends with a disciplined realization of that vision. At Ceci Bates, we invite you to explore this thoughtful approach to design by visiting cecibates.com and see how we can turn possibilities into enduring homes.”

10/29/2026

Well hey there, y’all. Welcome to The Summit House.

We’re talkin’ soaring ceilings, a kitchen made for gatherin’, and views that’ll stop you in your tracks.

This ain’t just a house, sugar - it’s a legacy home.
Come on in, let’s take the tour.

Built with love by Ceci Bates Custom Homes.

10/29/2026

The founding of a company is often conveyed as a singular moment — a specific year, a handshake, a name on a sign. In truth, the creation of a business is usually a longer and quieter process, rooted in years of prior work and carried forward through continual refinement.

Tom Ceci had been constructing homes in the Lake Texoma region since the 1980s, long before Ceci Bates Custom Homes bore his name. He developed his approach, established standards, and formed relationships with local tradespeople well in advance of its founding date in 1999. When Scott Bates joined Tom, the two formed a partnership that would define their namesake company. This partnership, expressed through the company name Ceci Bates, marked the beginning of a journey that's now spanned over twenty-six years.

The company began as a modest, two-person operation, with Tom and Scott directly involved in the design and construction of every home. Over time, their shared vision has guided its evolution into a firm known for its bespoke approach. Today, Ceci Bates employs nine core professionals and collaborates with a network of specialists extending to multiple countries.

Even as the company has expanded in scale and complexity, the partnership remains grounded in the strengths established at its inception. Tom continues to oversee the production aspects, leveraging his vast experience, while serving as the mayor of Pottsboro. Scott maintains focus on client work and the intricate details of design and engineering. The strength of their partnership lies in a shared understanding of the purpose and value of their work.

The longevity of Ceci Bates Custom Homes is a testament to the early agreement between its founders about the kind of company they wanted to build. To learn more about our enduring approach, visit cecibates.com.

10/28/2026

The best custom homes can often be described in just two words. For the Welcoming Grandiose Lakehouse, those words emerged during an early conversation with our architect, Roberth Jordan. The owner wished for a home that could be both grandiose and welcoming—a request that became the foundation of a unique creation.

Situated in Rock Creek along the Texas side of Lake Texoma, the Welcoming Grandiose Lakehouse was designed with entertaining at its core. The owners envisioned a space where friends and guests could gather for extended stays, enjoy fishing excursions, and experience effortless days on the water. Roberth Jordan's design revolved around a single, unifying element: a sprawling back patio seamlessly connecting every major space of the house.

The master suite, game room, living room, kitchen, and bar all open onto this expansive patio, creating a natural flow between the interior spaces and the outdoor living area. The bar area is infused with a touch more flair, distinct from the otherwise restrained elegance of the interior design. Heather Shields, our interior designer, crafted a palette centered on subtle contrasts, allowing the architecture itself to shine. The result is a home capable of hosting many comfortably, without sacrificing a sense of tranquility.

Often, the two words articulated at the project's inception are the essence of the finished design. We invite you to explore more of the Ceci Bates portfolio at cecibates.com, where thoughtful design meets enduring craftsmanship.

10/27/2026

10/27/2026

Many envision custom home building as the orchestration of construction: heavy equipment moving earth, tangible structures rising against the sky. Yet, at Ceci Bates Custom Homes, the most consequential work is completed before any ground is ever broken. The pre-construction phase determines whether a project remains on budget, adheres to its timeline, and fulfills the client’s vision with precision.

During pre-construction, our process begins by tailoring the design to the specifics of your lot. Our architect, Roberth Jordan, considers sun exposure, potential views, and your lifestyle, translating these into 3D models with real materials, textures, and lighting. This allows you to virtually tour your completed home, ensuring full alignment before physical construction begins.

Simultaneously, our structural engineer, Bogdan Taut, creates detailed framing plans. These plans specify where every stud, joist, and beam will be placed, accompanied by precise material takeoffs. This eradicates the industry-standard guessing game of per-square-foot estimates.

Our interior designer, Heather Shields, collaborates with the architect early on. By selecting materials such as stone, tile, and fixtures at this stage, we ensure that every budgetary allowance corresponds to a real product. As these selections are finalized, purchase orders are issued upon contract signing. This locks pricing and secures approximately 70% of materials ahead of time, eliminating potential surprises or delays.

Such meticulous planning means no unexpected price increases from materials ordered months after the contract, no construction holdups from unavailable products, and no unforeseen costs breaching budgeted allowances. Subcontractors work with engineering precision, guided by well-documented plans rather than in-the-field improvisation.

This front-loaded methodology was born out of the COVID-era supply chain challenges. Its value proved enduring, allowing Ceci Bates to construct more intricate homes with greater speed than previously possible.

The pre-construction phase demands greater discipline and time before building, but it bestows clients with the peace of knowing precisely what their home entails, its cost, and the timing for every decision. To delve deeper into our process and learn how Ceci Bates ensures that each project aligns with one's vision, we invite you to explore how we work at cecibates.com.

10/26/2026

Often, the most intricate part of crafting a custom home is bridging the gap between a client's imagination and the contractor's capability to realize it in the field. In essence, this is the very soul of architecture, yet it is seldom described so plainly. It requires a translation, a role that Roberth Jordan, as Ceci Bates Custom Homes' architect, has embraced with distinction.

Roberth Jordan perceives himself not merely as an architect but as a translator of dreams. His task begins with the nebulous — fragments of memories, elusive aspirations, and inchoate preferences that clients bring. These are translated into coherent plans, replete with specifics, that guide construction. In Jordan's hands, architecture becomes a language, one fluent in converting personal visions into concrete draft lines and material choices. But the translation does not end with the architectural plans.

Ceci Bates Custom Homes functions as the second translator, tasked with transforming these plans into tangible structures. Here, another layer of translation occurs, requiring fluency in both design and construction. The faith between these translations is paramount. Roberth Jordan is confident in the capabilities of the Ceci Bates team. So much so, he entrusts them with grand designs that sometimes demand a crane to elevate custom trusses — an endeavor undertaken because he's certain the team will honor the integrity of his design. This mutual trust has been forged over years of collaboration, each successful project reinforcing the belief that design will be executed precisely.

Ultimately, the lasting quality of any custom home is anchored in the trust between those who envision it and those who bring it to life. At Ceci Bates, this is a trust built not on words alone, but on a proven history of craftsmanship and shared vision. To learn more about how our team collaborates to create enduring homes, we invite you to explore our process at cecibates.com.

10/25/2026

Y’all... welcome home.

We believe a house should feel like a deep breath.

Warm. Welcoming. Made for gatherings, quiet mornings, and everything in between.

This is custom living, the Ceci Bates way.
Come on over to cecibates.com and let’s dream up yours together.

10/23/2026

In many homes, the finest view is acknowledged in passing, but rarely fully embraced. It's admired momentarily by visitors, yet without a comfortable vantage from which to enjoy it, these extraordinary views often become an afterthought. Ceci Bates and architect Roberth Jordan have recognized this tendency and chosen a different approach, ensuring the view's potential is neither overlooked nor underutilized.

On a recent project nestled on a hill overlooking Lake Texoma, Roberth crafted a home featuring a dedicated observation deck at its apex. This was not just an architectural flourish, but a purposeful creation designed to enhance daily life. The deck boasts a balcony that offers expansive views of the water, presenting more than just a seasonal sight but a perennial retreat.

To transform the deck into a truly functional space, several thoughtful features were incorporated. A compact library was added, providing a quiet refuge filled with books, encouraging the owner to linger and lose track of time. Accessibility was considered essential; thus, an elevator connects this pinnacle to the rest of the home, ensuring that an inability to climb would never detract from enjoying the vistas. A discreet powder room further grants the comfort to remain on the deck for extended periods, making a trip back down the stairs unnecessary.

This is not merely a feature; it is about aligning the architecture with the lived experiences the owner treasures. In doing so, Ceci Bates delivers more than a home with a view; they provide a haven where the owner can wholly embrace it. It is this attention to living, not just form, that sets the firm apart — designing spaces not just to be seen, but to be lived in.

The truly remarkable homes are those where the most stunning spaces serve genuine purposes, balancing beauty with usability. To understand more about how Ceci Bates designs homes that harmonize both aesthetics and function, explore our approach at cecibates.com.