How Much Will it Cost to Build My Home from the Ground Up?
Your dream home is in sight! You have worked out the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want. You have ideas for the kitchen, living room, fireplace, floors, fixtures and furnishings. Oh yes, you also want a pool with a custom deck, landscaping and a 3-car garage.
So how much will it cost to build your dream home?
Reported Price Per Square Foot
Surprisingly, it can seem there is no exact cost figure that can be given in response to this question. And at this point a lot of confusion can enter the budget equation.
A Google search about the cost of building a home in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, Florida, gives results suggesting custom homes cost between $100 and $400 per square foot. That’s a staggering difference. On a 4000 square-foot home, that means your project could cost anywhere from $400,000 to $1.6 million. How can you properly budget on that?
Award-Winning Custom Kitchen
We receive calls from prospective clients wanting to build a custom home for $100 to $150 per square foot. The high-end custom homes we build start at $200 per square foot on the lower-end and go up from there. This can result in more confusion as it’s not what was seen on Google. So why the discrepancy? What affects the square-foot cost? Read on to find out.
This remodel we did in 2017 included a customer fireplace with wood paneling and a large beam to create texture in the room.
We LOVE the current trend toward open-plan living. Who doesn’t want wonderful large gathering spaces in their home? The only downside is that spaces with an open floor plan can typically feel cold and empty. One way to fix this is by adding texture to bring a little interest – and a lot of personality – to the room.
Texture can be added to floors, ceilings, walls, doors and windows. A wide range of materials can be used including reclaimed wood, natural wood, stone, brick, paint, metal, molding and more. Here are a few ways you can add texture to your home.
This custom home remodel we did in 2016 included a number of great light fixtures and task lighting.
Lighting can make or break your room’s atmosphere. Whether it is your living room, kitchen, bathroom or bedroom, the lighting is a very significant aspect of any room. Not only does the type of fixture and quality of the light count, there are other details to consider such as the direction or quality of the light. Here are a few things to think of when planning the lighting in your custom home:
Holidays are the perfect time to do those little home improvement projects you may have been putting off all year. Around the holidays you usually have more home traffic, and you want your place to look its best. There are many trouble-free projects you and your family can do to jazz up your home for the holidays. Not only will it make your guests feel comfortable and at home, it will give you an excuse to spend quality time working on your home with your family.
Read on for five tips to improve your home this time of year.
The master bathroom of this whole home renovation we did on Island Estates has a beautiful, warm color palette.
In the world of home design, trends ebb and flow almost as fluidly as the fashion industry. They may come and go and come back again, but they always return with a new vibe, as cultural changes ripple through homes, businesses, restaurants and cafes, bringing new inspiration to homeowners, designers, architects and contractors alike. Recently the tides have begun to turn again, and – as controversial as it may seem – beige is making a comeback. Don’t worry, this is not the old-fashioned obsession with shades of brown and orange. Beige is returning with a subtle warmth and elegance that is giving the ever-popular gray palette some stiff competition. Read on for some cutting edge advice on incorporating beige into your home design.
It can be tricky to select the right countertop for your kitchen. You want to balance practicality, beauty and budget – but you’re probably buried in the variety of options out there. We decided to simplify things and break it down into the most common pros and cons of each material. Read on to discover the best countertops for your kitchen.
American architecture is as diverse as its culture – from the Spanish adobes and plantations of the South, to the colonial saltboxes and industrial styles of the North. When building or remodeling your own home, you may choose a design that aligns with the style of your location – or, since freedom of expression is the very woof and warp of the American culture, you may opt for something completely unique and different. Read on to learn about the history of American architecture and the styles that may inspire you on your next custom home project.
For most homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home. When it comes to your remodel, home addition or custom new home, it is likely the first interior element you will be designing. So where do you start? Here are some current kitchen trends that we LOVE, to help you get started with some inspiration.
This black-and-white kitchen was part of a whole home remodel and home addition we completed last year.
It isn’t always easy selecting finishes for your home. For many homeowners, one of the most difficult items to choose is the flooring. There are so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? How do you ensure you make the right choice for your budget, your design, and your own personal comfort? We’ve helped select and install many different types of flooring over the years, and we’ve learned a lot of the pros and cons of each. Here are a few key things you need to know about how to choose the right flooring for your home.
Our clients selected a unique ceramic tile for the back entry and mud room of their home in Clearwater.
A custom gas fireplace we designed and built on Island Estates as part of a whole home remodel.
Are you a fan of the hearth? Do you love the idea of curling up next to a fireplace with your family, telling stories or playing games? Or perhaps a quiet evening warming your toes, watching the sun set? The idea of a fireplace in a sub-tropical climate may seem contradictory, but it’s very common to see both wood-burning and gas fireplaces in Florida homes. But how do you get started? What if you have an existing fireplace that doesn’t fit your style? Read on for some design and construction advice on installing the right fireplace for your home.
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I would hire Nelson CR again in a heartbeat. No construction new project and/or renovation is without issues. However, if you want a company and a team that will resolve those issues to your satisfaction then NCR is that company. The thoughtfulness, professionalism, quality of work, communication and a resolution oriented team are the best... Read More »
J.I., homeowner – whole home remodel
We would hire Nelson construction again without hesitation. The entire team, from the unseen to the seen, were dedicated, responsive, respectful, and patient while we lived through a beautiful renovation.
V.I., homeowner – whole home remodel
Nelson Construction out of Clearwater/Tampa fully remodeled our 7,900 sq ft home in Clearwater, Florida. To say they did a great job is an understatement. The qualities of this company extend beyond just a nice finish. Road blocks: Near the beginning of the remodel we ran into our first hidden challenge. To modify and create... Read More »
BZ, homeowner – historic home restoration/remodel
The staff at Nelson Construction do a fantastic job of caring for their customers. They care about their work, their products, and the customer’s satisfaction in the final result. I also greatly admire their attention to legal rudiments, which some contractors try to skirt or dodge. Nelson Construction operates within all ethical codes and boundaries,... Read More »
A.O. - American Power and Gas
We were satisfied with the level of service we were given by Nelson Construction and Renovations. The project manager was very communicative. Any time I needed an answer, the Nelson Team was there. Everyone was very professional and courteous, and the end result is beautiful.
J.T.
“We highly recommend Nelson Construction and Renovation, Inc. We are totally satisfied customers. Nelson Construction will always be our first recommendation to friends who want to build. “Our project was the 2014 renovation and expansion of a 600 square foot 1950’s bungalow in Safety Harbor’s historic district. Our goal was to create a space suitable... Read More »
Ann Morgan & Margo Pfleger, homeowners – home addition and whole home remodel
On behalf of the whole CCHR Clearwater team, we would like to thank you and your company for the stellar work on our new building – which did open on time! Even though we were very pressed for time and things were very hectic, your supervisor remained stable and your work areas somehow remained organized.... Read More »
Jamie Blackstone - Renovations Supervisor – Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Nelson Construction and Renovations exceeded our expectations on our fairly good-sized job (new addition and complete living room and kitchen remodel). I have never worked with a company before that was this intent on making our project a total success AND was so fast and efficient. In addition to that, they routinely went above and... Read More »
Scott and Holly - Clearwater, FL
This letter is to commend Nelson Construction for the excellent job done on our kitchen renovation. When we returned from vacation we were surprised to see the difference and how great it all looked. We expected to see a mess, but everything was cleaned up perfectly; and your company did even more than we expected... Read More »
The Baldwins
Thank you for the job well done! I have renovated several houses and know the hassles that often come with these endeavors – dirt, delays, redo’s, cost, contract issues, etc. I was planning to renovate my kitchen for many months, but kept putting it off, simply trying to avoid the expected hassles. Once I finally... Read More »
W. Nero
Mr. Nelson was my contractor for a major house renovation in March 2006 and also my office renovation in June 2006. He is a rare commodity in the construction industry. He is honest, efficient, on time, on schedule and overall a pleasure to deal with. In my area, where real estate values are climbing and... Read More »
Michael Haldane - Managing Partner/Executive Producer – The Radke Film Group
Our school was in great need of a new roof. Sorting through the various types of roofing and installations was very overwhelming, and for such a large project, we needed to be certain we were making the most cost-effect decision we could. So we hired Nelson Construction to be an Owner’s Representative to help navigate... Read More »
T. Campana
Nelson Construction is a valued company, steadfast to a strict, honest and drug-free work environment. The most notable point of Nelson Construction’s service was the quality work and professional integrity. My project met all of my expectations and more. Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
S.K. - Clearwater, FL
The most notable part of Nelson Construction and Renovations’ service was their attention to detail. Great all around service and finished product!
YA
Thank you for giving us a new home that we love. Every time we look around we are reminded that we made the right decision to go with Nelson. We shall recommend you to anyone who asks and would be happy to serve as references for potential clients.
Margo & Ann
Your Concrete Design Website is very impressive. Beautifully put together and inviting to the design community.
M.N.
In short, we love our home. It is gorgeous. The counter tops are amazing, the cabinetry is perfect. Overall we are so happy! Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
SS
We couldn’t be happier and we plan to use your company on any upcoming project that we have. The employees and subcontractors were very professional; it was something we noticed right away. The job site was cleaned every day, and my cleaning lady even noticed and told our friend about it. The level of communication... Read More »
AP
You and your guys are the BEST!!! It is such a pleasure to be able to open my home and leave for the day and know there will not be a problem. Your staff is like family! Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
JB
Nelson Construction has been the best construction company that I have ever hired. I am sure that they are not the cheapest but they offer an excellent product and are very professional. They stayed in daily communication to let me know the status of the project. Their crew was friendly, courteous and conscientious. They showed... Read More »
SG
Working with Nelson was like no other experience I’ve ever had–and I’ve done a ton of work on my very old house. They’re so professional and stayed in close communication with us. I will NEVER use any other contractor again! I can’t say enough good things!
Joy Gendusa - CEO - PostcardMania
Nelson Construction delivers every time: quality product, on time and in budget, no surprises, no rip-offs, stellar service and product, communication and genuine interest in finishing the product 100% to my satisfaction (and theirs)!
Stacey Tiveron - CEO - Trade Only Design Library (TODL)
I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the work done by Nelson Construction & Renovations. The external deck and 2 stairways your company recently built at my North Clearwater Beach apartments exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with every aspect of the operation in the work and the interaction with me... Read More »
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I would hire Nelson CR again in a heartbeat. No construction new project and/or renovation is without issues. However, if you want a company and a team that will resolve those issues to your satisfaction then NCR is that company. The thoughtfulness, professionalism, quality of work, communication and a resolution oriented team are the best... 
