Matt Knigge

Lake Flato Review

Matt Knigge
Lake Flato Review

Lake Flato is an architecture and design firm based in San Antonio, Texas. They partner with companies like Bensonwood to design and build sustainable prefab homes. Buyers can choose from 12+ pre-designed models made up of small modules that buyers can combine to create flexible, semi-custom floor plans. Alternatively, buyers can work with Lake Flato to create a fully-custom home design. While homes can be customized to meet buyer’s exact wishes, exteriors often feature wood siding, glass doors, skylights, metal accents, large windows, and slatted accent walls. Their homes are known for blending landscaping into their designs for hybrid spaces, catwalks, porches, dogruns, and courtyards. Green features like solar paneling and efficient panelized building envelopes allow many of their homes to reach net-zero energy efficiency.

Lake Flato offers full project management services, meaning they work with buyers through the design process, review building plans, oversee construction contracts, and even supervise the construction of the project. It is worth noting however, Lake Flato is still only a design firm, meaning a third party company must manufacture and construct the home. Their OpenHome series of prefab homes are manufactured in Bensonwood’s New Hampshire factory. Finished modules are then shipped to the build site where a third-party contractor sets the modules. The contractor then completes the exterior and any remaining site work is finished. Typically, the entire home can be assembled in under 6 weeks.

For their popular PorchHouse series, the process begins with a site analysis as the design team crafts site plans, floor plans, and renderings. Both prefabrication and site-built methods can be used for this home line. The entire design phase lasts about 2-3 months while prefabrication and construction take an additional 9-12 months. 

Strengths:

  • 37+ years of experience designing residential and commercial spaces

  • Offer full project management services 

  • Design sustainable modern homes that incorporate landscaping into the design for a unique open aesthetic

Reasons they might not be for you:

  • You want to work with a company that handles all phases of the build themselves, including manufacturing and site work

  • You are looking for a company that specializes in more traditional designs

  • You are looking to build on a smaller lot that requires a compact, vertical home

Keep reading to view Lake Flato reviews and ratings, Lake Flato pricing and cost info as well as photos, and other company facts.

Company Lake Flato
Year Founded 1984
Website https://www.lakeflato.com/
# of Models 12+
Areas Served United States
Homes Built 172+
Headquarters San Antonio, TX
Pricing $367 - $600+ per sqft
Pricing Structure Pre-designed modular homes cost $367 to $600+ per square foot. The design fee is 14% of construction costs for customization
Reviews
Yelp 5 Stars
Houzz 5 Stars
Creates Custom Plans Yes