SDB+D

design build + development

Client Testimonials

These are testimonials from past clients of Structural Design Build + Development (SDB+D), shared with their consent. In keeping with SDB+D's privacy commitment, clients are identified by initials and general neighborhood only — full names, addresses, and specific project details remain confidential.

Additional client references, including direct contact for in-depth conversations, are available on request for prospective clients evaluating SDB+D for similar projects. Architect, designer, and peer professional references are also available on request.

“After fifteen years between New York and Austin, I've worked with my share of high-end contractors. What sets SDB+D apart is the trade subcontractors — every one of them treated this project with care, not just as a job. The finish work — millwork, stone, mechanical systems — is the level you read about but rarely receive. Jon ran every detail like it was his own home.”
J. Dachis — Pemberton Heights · $2.8M · client
“Our Westlake estate had been in the family for nearly thirty years and we were terrified of what a remodel would do to its character. Jon understood that immediately. He preserved every original detail that mattered while updating systems we didn't even know were failing. The house feels like itself, only better. That's harder to do than most builders realize.”
S. Haley — Westlake · Complete estate remodel · client
“Most builders give you a number and that's the end of the conversation. Jon built actual cost models with us — we could see what each design choice cost and where we could trim back without losing the parts that mattered to us. That changed how we thought about every decision in the Rollingwood remodel. The project landed almost exactly where we started, which is rare in my experience.”
E. Ambrose — Rollingwood · Complete remodel and addition · client
“You can't open up walls in a 1940s Tarrytown house without finding things you weren't expecting. Knob-and-tube wiring in one room, a hidden plumbing issue in another, original beams that had to be sistered. Jon's team caught each surprise early, brought us options with real numbers, and kept the project moving without the budget chaos that usually happens with old homes. I would do it again with him.”
D. Jenkins — Tarrytown · Full remodel · client
“Our property in the Hill Country wasn't a finished lot — it needed well work, septic design, electrical extension, and a lot of grading before we could even talk about the house. Jon's team handled all of it under one contract. No coordinating between a developer, an engineer, and a builder. The home looks like it grew out of the site. That's how the development-and-build approach is supposed to work.”
B. Sabrin — West Austin Hill Country · New construction · client
“We came to SDB+D with our own architect and a complicated scope — a full remodel plus new addition on an acre lot in Las Lomas. Jon's familiarity with the Westlake permitting process saved us months. He coordinated directly with our architect on the design adjustments needed for the existing structure, and the addition feels like it was always part of the house. Construction was orderly even with neighbors close on both sides.”
M. Kendrick — Westlake, Las Lomas · Full remodel and new addition, acre lot · client
“Our Zilker Park property had a tricky lot configuration and we'd been told by two other builders the addition we wanted wasn't feasible. Jon took the time to actually walk the site, then came back with a plan that worked within both the city's setback rules and our budget. He's the kind of builder who finds the path through instead of telling you it can't be done. Six months in the new house and we still feel like we got a custom answer to our specific situation.”
A. Moore — Zilker Park · Full remodel with addition · client
“This was a hillside lot in Westlake Hills with elevation changes that made the engineering anything but routine. Jon walked the steel package with our engineer line by line, then ran us through three different foundation approaches before we picked one. Two years from breaking ground to move-in, and not once did we feel out of the loop. We get compliments on the house every week. He earned every one of them.”
J. Little — Westlake Hills · New construction · client

Google Reviews

5.0 stars from 3 Google reviews (as of October 2026). Posted publicly on Google by clients and real estate professionals. Reproduced in full; each links to the original.

“Jon Lee with Structural Design Build + Development is an outstanding builder, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for quality craftsmanship, exceptional project management, and a builder who truly stands behind his work.

Jon is thorough, meticulous, and consistently keeps a close eye on every aspect of the project. He also excels at problem-solving, finding creative solutions when challenges arise and identifying opportunities to value-engineer a project to achieve the same quality and results for less money.

Jon closely supervises his subcontractors and is always attentive to what is happening on the job site. His bids are detailed and transparent, and his cost documentation and project summaries make it easy to understand where things stand financially as the project progresses. He is also an excellent communicator, keeping you informed throughout the process.

What really sets Jon Lee apart, however, is his commitment after the project is complete. His customer service is exceptional. If an issue arises, he follows up, shows up, and makes sure it gets addressed. That level of accountability is rare and incredibly valuable.

If you want a builder who is detail-oriented, resourceful, transparent, communicative, and stands behind his work, Jon Lee with Structural Design Build + Development is the person you want.”
Ellen Ambrose — Past client, complete build renovation · Google review, 5 stars · Read this review on Google ›
“I have had the opportunity to work with Jon Lee with Structural Design Build on several projects over the course of several years, and I can honestly say he is someone I feel completely confident recommending to my clients, friends, and anyone looking for a trustworthy, knowledgeable professional.

As a real estate agent, I work with a lot of different vendors, contractors, and service providers, and I know how important it is to have people you can count on. Jon stands out because he truly takes the time to understand the project, listens to the homeowner’s goals, and pays attention to the details that many people overlook.

Having worked with Jon on multiple projects, I have personally seen his professionalism, knowledge, communication, and commitment to doing things the right way. He is someone who understands the entire process and knows how to turn a vision into a finished project.

One of Jon’s strengths is his ability to create amazing custom pool projects. He can take a project from the initial concept through design, engineering, financing, permitting, and construction, making what can often feel like an overwhelming process much easier for the homeowner. His knowledge of the process and ability to coordinate all of the moving pieces is incredibly valuable.

What I especially appreciate is that Jon doesn’t just focus on getting a project completed. He focuses on quality, communication, doing things properly, and building long-term relationships. After knowing and working with him for several years and across multiple projects, I have seen firsthand that he genuinely cares about the outcome and about the people he works with.

In real estate, my reputation is built on the professionals I recommend, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly. Jon Lee and Structural Design Build are professionals I feel comfortable putting my name behind.

If you’re considering a pool, construction, or design-build project and want someone who can help you navigate the process from financing and engineering to permitting and completion, I highly recommend Jon.

He is the type of professional you want on your team when it comes to protecting your home, your investment, and bringing your vision to life.”
Marilyn Randazzo — Real estate agent · Google review, 5 stars · Read this review on Google ›
“I’ve had the chance to work with Jon Lee and Structural Design Build, and he is absolutely someone I feel comfortable recommending.

In my line of work, I meet and work with a lot of contractors and professionals, and you learn pretty quickly who you can trust with your clients. What I appreciate about Jon is that he listens. He takes the time to understand what someone is trying to accomplish, explains things clearly, and doesn’t make people feel pressured.

He’s knowledgeable, dependable, and genuinely cares about doing good work. But just as important to me, he cares about the people he’s working with. You can tell that his reputation and the relationships he builds matter to him.

When I recommend someone, I’m putting my own reputation behind that recommendation, so I don’t do it lightly. Jon is someone I would feel confident referring to my clients, friends, and family.

If you’re looking for someone you can trust with your home and your investment, I would definitely recommend giving Jon and Structural Design Build a call.”
Kristi J Warner — Real estate agent · Google review, 5 stars · Read this review on Google ›

 

To request additional client references for specific project types (Hill Country development, architect-collaborative custom homes, luxury remodels, commercial work), or to speak with any of the clients above directly, please contact SDB+D directly.