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Most homeowners think about the yard after the house is done, when the budget is mostly spent and the best opportunities are already gone. On Episode 37 of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser steps outside with Scott Cassel of Cassel Landscape Architects to talk about why landscape belongs at the table from day one.

Scott shares how he went from a career in DC politics to designing outdoor spaces in Austin, and why his firm builds every design it draws. He and Daniel dig into the details that make or break a project:

• Why drainage has to be solved before the foundation is poured, especially for Austin’s courtyard-style homes
• How planning house and landscape as one budget keeps the yard from getting cut at the end
• Choosing plants that survive Central Texas extremes, from summer heat to freeze events
• Building west of I-35 (rock and slope) versus east (expansive clay)
• Keeping cedars versus clearing them, and designing around heritage oaks
• The rise of the backyard as a second home, plus an honest take on artificial turf

Plus a lightning round on favorite trees, underrated materials, and Scott’s dream project.

Connect with Scott
Cassel Landscape Architects
[email protected] | 512-693-7884

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What does it look like when architects and builders work together from the start?

This season on Work in Process, we're introducing a series within a series, sitting down with local architects to discuss their design process and how they work with builders. In the first episode, Daniel Glauser is joined by Sarah Johnson, Principal at Matt Fajkus Architecture (MFA), to talk about design philosophy, client relationships, and why early collaboration leads to better homes.

Sarah shares her path from a dual degree in architecture and civil engineering at Texas Tech to the UT Austin School of Architecture, and how a few weeks of helping a new professor with renderings turned into 15 years of growing MFA from a startup into a 10–15 person firm. She and Daniel dig into MFA's approach of letting the client, the site, and the program drive the design, and why natural materials and a strong connection to context make a home feel timeless instead of trendy.

They also discuss what makes designing in Austin both challenging and exciting, from high design standards and city requirements to diverse topography and difficult sites, and why constraints often generate the best ideas. The conversation turns to the architect-builder relationship: bringing a builder on during schematic design, running pricing checks at every phase to keep the design aligned with the budget, and staying connected through construction to protect the design intent.

This conversation shows how trust, communication, and shared vision between architect, builder, and client shape a truly custom home.

In this episode:

• Sarah's path into architecture and the founding of MFA
• Designing in response to the site, the client, and the program
• What makes a design timeless vs. trendy
• How MFA gets to know a client's lifestyle
• The challenges and opportunities of designing in Austin
• Treating constraints as design opportunities
• Why builders should join the team during schematic design
• Constructability vs. value engineering
• Common misconceptions about the design process
• Architect involvement during construction
• Advice for anyone planning to build a custom home

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

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Welcome back to Work in Process, the podcast from Risinger Build.

Season 3 is here, and we’re kicking things off with a conversation about what goes into building exceptional custom homes—from the people behind the process to the design decisions, partnerships, and craftsmanship that bring each project to life.

In this season premiere, Daniel Glauser, Tim Hill, and Laura Sockrider introduce what’s ahead for Work in Process. We’ll explore the many moving parts of custom homebuilding, the collaboration between builders and design professionals, and the relationships that help turn a vision into a thoughtfully crafted home. We’re taking you into conversations with local architects, revisiting the Risinger Build process, and hearing from the talented design professionals and partners who help shape the homes we build.

A great home involves the people, the planning, the problem-solving, and the countless decisions made along the way.

Subscribe to Risinger Build and follow Work in Process for more conversations about custom homebuilding, design, and the work behind every great build.

Special Cameo - Risinger Build Office Dog, Clio

And while @stilesswitchbbq isn't footing the bill for this specific conversation (yet!), they are keeping the Risinger Build team in Austin fed with award-winning Central Texas craft barbecue!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

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Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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What does a home builder actually do?

In the final episode of Season 2 of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser, Tim Hill, and Laura Sockrider explore the many different “hats” a home builder wears every day—from project manager and financial steward to client advisor, engineer, educator, weatherman, firefighter, and even ship’s captain.

Building a custom home is about far more than managing construction. It requires coordinating people, budgets, schedules, design decisions, technical details, and expectations while anticipating problems before they happen. The team discusses why successful builders need to think ahead, “build the house in their head,” and use experience and critical thinking to keep unique projects moving forward.
They also talk about the human side of building—helping clients navigate difficult decisions, providing enough information to make informed choices, and building the trust that comes from putting the client’s interests first.

This conversation highlights just how much goes into successfully building a one-of-a-kind home.

In this episode:

• The many roles of a custom home builder
• Why project management is about more than construction
• Helping clients make confident, informed decisions
• Financial stewardship, estimating, and predictability
• Applying building science and engineering knowledge
• Preventing problems before they become emergencies
• Why weather can have a major impact on construction schedules
• Leadership, team culture, and managing resources
• What clients should expect from a great builder

This is the Season 2 finale of Work in Process. Thanks for following along this season—we'll be back for Season 3.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

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Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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In Episode 33 of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser sits down with Laura Sockrider, Operations Coordinator at Risinger Build, to discuss the often-overlooked work that happens long before construction begins.

With a background in interior design, Laura brings a unique perspective to the pre-construction process. From vetting potential projects and coordinating with homeowners and design teams to managing design documentation and keeping communication moving, her role helps bridge the gap between a client's vision and what ultimately gets built.

The conversation explores why successful custom homebuilding starts with asking the right questions, understanding how each client actually lives, and creating a process that can respond to the individual needs of every project.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Laura's background in interior design and how it shaped her role at Risinger Build
• What happens during the pre-construction phase
• How Risinger Build evaluates and vets potential projects
• The importance of clear and complete design documentation
• How communication keeps complex custom projects moving
• Why every homeowner—and every home—has different needs
• The value of involving the right people before construction begins

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

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📧 [email protected]

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Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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Hosts: Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill

Guest: Steve Terebeki, Aqua Permits

Permitting is one of the most misunderstood—and most important—parts of building a custom home. Many homeowners assume that construction can begin once the plans are complete. In reality, permitting is a complex process involving multiple departments, site-specific regulations, and countless details that can delay a project.

In this episode of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill have a candid conversation with Steve Terebeki of Aqua Permits. They delve into the intricacies of the process between finalized plans and obtaining a building permit.

Together, they discuss:

• What a permit expediter actually does
• The difference between entitlements, zoning, and permitting
• Why some permits are approved quickly while others take months
• Common issues involving trees, drainage, floodplains, easements, and hillside lots
• Why Austin presents unique permitting challenges
• How early due diligence can save homeowners significant time and money
• The biggest permitting myths—and the mistakes that can derail a project before construction begins

Whether you're planning your dream home, purchasing land, or work in the design and construction industry, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the most critical phases of the building process.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

🌐 risingerbuild.com

📷 Instagram:

Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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Hosts: Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill

What makes the perfect home for celebrating the Fourth of July? Is it a sprawling covered porch, an outdoor kitchen, a swimming pool, or simply a place where family and friends can gather together?

In this special holiday episode of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill take a break from discussing budgets, project management, and building science to explore the features that make a home ideal for summertime entertaining. From outdoor living spaces and grilling setups to music, pools, front porches, and favorite family traditions, they discuss how thoughtful design creates spaces where memories are made.

Along the way, they share personal stories from past Fourth of July celebrations, debate the pros and cons of popular outdoor amenities, and play a rapid-fire round of "Worth It?" featuring everything from guest houses and putting greens to outdoor TVs and ice makers.

In this episode:

• Why outdoor living spaces define the ultimate Fourth of July home
• Designing patios, porches, and backyards for entertaining
• The role of pools, shade, fans, and water features in Texas summers
• Outdoor kitchens, grills, and cooking preferences for hosting family and friends
• The value of front porches in building neighborhood connections
• "Worth It?" rapid-fire: pools, guest houses, outdoor TVs, putting greens, and more
• Favorite Fourth of July traditions and family memories

Whether you're designing a custom home, planning a remodel, or simply dreaming about your ideal backyard, this episode offers ideas and inspiration for creating spaces that bring people together year after year.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

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📷 Instagram:

Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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When most people think of project management, they picture someone walking a jobsite with a set of plans, checking on trades and making sure work is being done correctly. While that’s certainly part of the job, effective project management in custom homebuilding is much broader—and much more important—than that.  

In this episode of Work in Process, Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill pull back the curtain on what project management really means at Risinger Build. They discuss why project management begins long before construction starts, how communication, budgeting, scheduling, quality control, and decision management work together to keep projects moving forward, and why building exceptional homes requires a team—not a single individual.  

Whether you’re a homeowner, architect, or design professional, this conversation offers valuable insight into the systems, planning, and collaboration required to bring complex custom homes to life.

In this episode:

• Why project management starts during design, not construction
• The five pillars of successful project management
• How schedules, budgets, and decisions are managed throughout a project
• The role communication plays in keeping teams aligned
• Why custom homebuilding requires a coordinated team effort
• Lessons learned from years of managing complex residential projects

Whether you’re planning a custom home or simply want a better understanding of how the process works, this episode offers a practical look at one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of custom homebuilding.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

🌐 risingerbuild.com

📷 Instagram:

Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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Hosts: Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill

Cost Plus is one of the most misunderstood concepts in custom homebuilding. In this episode, Daniel Glauser and Tim Hill break down what Cost Plus actually means, why it serves as the foundation of Risinger Build’s process, and how it creates transparency and flexibility throughout a custom home project.

The conversation covers how construction budgets are developed, why estimates evolve as design decisions become more refined, and the role contingency plays in managing the unknowns that come with building one-of-a-kind homes. Daniel and Tim also discuss the importance of trust, open-book accounting, and why bringing a builder into the design process early often leads to better outcomes.

In This Episode:

• What a Cost Plus contract actually is
• How custom home budgets are developed
• The purpose of contingency
• Common misconceptions about Cost Plus
• The value of transparency and open-book accounting
• Why early builder involvement matters
• How collaboration creates better projects

Whether you’re planning a custom home or simply want a better understanding of how the process works, this episode offers a practical look at one of the most important—and often misunderstood—aspects of custom homebuilding.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

🌐 risingerbuild.com

📷 Instagram:

Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild

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Hosts: Daniel Glauser

After more than a year in the making, Risinger Build’s Client Guidebook is finally here.

In this episode of Work In Process, Daniel Glauser shares the story behind the creation of Risinger Build’s new internal guidebook — a resource designed to help clients and architects better understand the custom homebuilding process and what truly drives successful outcomes.  

From pre-construction and builder involvement during design to budgeting, communication, and project management, this episode unpacks some of the biggest misconceptions around custom homebuilding and why process matters more than most people realize.

Whether you’re planning a custom home, collaborating with a builder, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes of architecturally driven projects, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build well.

In this episode:

• Why we created the Client Guidebook
• Common misconceptions about custom homebuilding
• Why pre-construction matters
• The value of early architect-builder collaboration
• What great project management actually looks like
• Why we believe in a cost-plus model

A major milestone for our team — and one we’re excited to finally share.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover Work in Process.

Connect with Us:

📧 [email protected]

🌐 risingerbuild.com

📷 Instagram:

Risinger Build - @risingerbuild_atx

Daniel Glauser - @glauserbuilding

Tim Hill - @tim_risingerbuild