Willis Custom Homes

06/07/2026

There's a difference between a home that impresses and a home that truly lives well. When someone asks me what makes a luxury home feel livable, that's exactly the distinction I think about.

One of the biggest shifts we're seeing right now is the marriage between the inside and outside of a home. We're building a lot of homes with corner partings, slider doors and pocketing sliders that disappear completely into the walls. All of a sudden, your outdoor space becomes part of your living space. It's a remarkable thing to experience.

People want to be in their homes more. They want to entertain in them, relax in them, really live in them. That shift has shaped the way we design everything. In fact, we have a new plan in the works called the Staycation, because we believe where you live and how it makes you feel matters just as much as how it looks. Whether you're working from home or fully retired, the recreational and entertainment value of your space should be something you feel every single day.

There's a lot more I could say about this one. Watch the full video to hear my thoughts.

06/04/2026

If you own a piece of land and you're dreaming about building a custom home on it, one of the first things I want you to know is this: don't worry about it. That's our job.

Building on your own acreage involves a lot of moving parts that most buyers have never had to think about before — utilities, sewer or septic, bringing in electrical and water, understanding the requirements of the municipality or county where you're building. Some of our clients come to us knowing quite a bit about their property. Others are starting from scratch. Either way, we've got them covered.

We bring in the right engineers to analyze the land properly. We work with civil engineers on positioning — figuring out where the home can and should sit on the lot. We handle all of that so our clients can focus on what's most exciting: designing the home itself.

We've walked a lot of people through this process over the years, and I can tell you with confidence — if building on your own land is your dream, don't let the unknowns hold you back.

06/01/2026

A lot of people ask me what actually happens before we ever break ground on a custom home — and the honest answer is: quite a bit. And I think that's a good thing.

For some clients, the process starts in an architect's office with nothing more than a concept and a dream. For others, it means refining one of our existing award-winning plans to fit their lifestyle perfectly. And sometimes, someone walks through one of our models and says, "That's exactly it — build me that." Every starting point is completely valid.

Once a plan is in place, my design team gets involved, and this is where it really gets personal. They work one on one with each client to talk through their vision for every detail of the home. Sometimes that means my team visits the client's current home — walking through what they love, what they'd change, what furniture they're bringing with them. We price a home based on the level of finish a client truly wants, so those conversations matter.

Some people want to keep things more streamlined. Others want to explore every creative possibility. Either way, we're here for it. Watch the full video to hear more about how the process works from the very beginning.

05/29/2026

Experience matters when it comes to building a custom home — and in our latest video, I talk about exactly why.

Our team has spent decades doing this, and that experience shows up in ways you might not expect. We come in with a long list of questions — because every single client is different, and every home is different. There's no template, no shortcut. We take the time to understand how you want to live before a single line is drawn.

And honestly? That's what makes this work so rewarding. Every new project gets our creative energy flowing all over again. In fact, it's a big reason why we've developed so many incredible floor plans over the past 60 years — when you truly let people build custom, you end up with the latest and greatest ideas. Innovation follows when you're genuinely listening.

Watch the full video to hear more about why experience and a truly custom process go hand in hand.

05/26/2026

If you've ever wondered what to look for when choosing a custom home builder in Kansas City, I sat down to answer exactly that — and I think the answer might surprise you.

The first thing I'd tell anyone is to ask about longevity. How long have they really been doing this? For us, that answer is over 60 years — and that history shapes everything about how we work. The second thing I'd ask is what "custom" actually means to them. For Willis Custom Homes, it means taking you to the architect's office. It might mean refining one of our popular plans, or it might mean starting from a brand new concept with nothing but a vision and a few inspiration photos. Your home, built your way.

Watch the full video to hear my thoughts on what truly sets a custom builder apart — and what questions you should be asking before you ever sign anything.

05/16/2026

⚾️Our plans step up to the plate with homes designed for everyday living and entertaining. Our signature craftsmanship and quality paired with innovative design and detail ensure your custom home hits it out of the park! Explore a few our our models and plans online or visit our available homes and building sites. Call our team of design and build experts to learn more or schedule an appointment.

🏠 Shown: Mustang Contemporary
💻 www.williscustomhomes.com
📱913-685-8300

05/09/2026

Adrian, thank you for your review, but mostly thank you for trusting Willis Custom Homes as your home builder. We appreciate you and thoroughly enjoyed working with you.

Adrian's full review:
"As first time builders, we looked at many different builders and decided on Willis Custom Homes, and couldn’t be happier with our choice. Zack, Patrick, and the entire team did an amazing job! They worked patiently with us and were more than flexible with us to meet our project and timeline changes.

Zack was our main point of contact and is an outstanding person and fantastic to work with. Their professionalism and responsiveness sets the bar. Thank you for making our vision come to fruition!"

05/09/2026

For more than 60 years, Willis Custom Homes has helped shape luxury homebuilding across Kansas City.

Every home represents more than a floor plan. It reflects craftsmanship, experience, thoughtful design, and a commitment to building places where families can live beautifully for generations.

That is what Building for Generations means.

05/08/2026

A perfect pairing! We enjoyed sharing our company's history and vision with Weichert, Realtors Welch & Company and their growing team comprised of over 200 agents. Specializing in new home sales, Weichert Realtors Welch & Company are the unchallenged option for buyers and builders--including us!

It was a pleasure to welcome Patrick and Zack Willis of Willis Custom Homes to this week’s business meeting.

For more than 60 years, Willis Custom Homes has been a trusted and respected builder serving communities throughout the Kansas City area. Weichert Realtors Welch & Company truly values our long-standing relationship with their team and appreciates their continued commitment to quality craftsmanship and community growth.

👏 Thank you, Patrick and Zack, for joining us!

05/07/2026

Founder. Mentor. Donor. Committee member. Volunteer. These are just a few of the titles that Bob Willis has held over his decades in the home building industry.

Over 60 years ago, Bob Willis created a company which helped set the standard for quality home construction in the Kansas City area. Joined by his son, Patrick Willis, and his grandson, Zack Willis, they built a family legacy devoted to quality construction and client satisfaction.

Quietly, Bob has donated decades of his life to rehab churches and clergy housing in the Kansas City metro area and other charitably endeavors. Willis Custom Homes was an instrumental leader in conjunction with the local Home Builders Association, to build the first Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Throughout the years, our model homes have raised funds for the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation charities.

Bob Willis established the values which Willis Custom Homes honors to this day. We believe that to whom much is given, much is required, and we strive to meet that mark every day.