Custom Home Builder in Austin, TX
Meridian Custom Homes is a custom home builder in Austin, TX. We build new custom homes and take on whole-home remodels in Central Austin, West Austin and the Lake Austin, Bee Cave and Lake Travis areas. Since 2009 we have built 34 homes for owners who wanted one builder to carry the project from the first budget conversation through move-in and the aftercare that follows.
- 2009Founded
- 34Homes built
- $350–600Per sq ft, typical
- ~18 moFirst meeting to move-in
This page is the overview. It covers who we are, where we build, what we build, what our projects typically cost, how long they take and how we work. From here you can go to the pages for the neighborhoods we work in most, or straight to our process and pricing pages.
Who we are
Meridian Custom Homes was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Traylor after years spent in commercial and high-end residential construction. The company started with speculative and custom homes in West Austin. Today we have a large presence in Central Austin and work throughout the Austin area. The company is owned by Jonathan and Austin Traylor.
When clients describe what sets us apart, the words that come up are personal attention, trust, relationships, communication, accessibility, quality, attention to detail, problem solving, aftercare, reliability and accountability. We take those seriously because they are the reason a homeowner chooses a builder they can actually reach. You can see our Google reviews for what past clients have said in their own words.
We are members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, NARI (the National Association of the Remodeling Industry), the Texas Association of Builders and the National Association of Home Builders.
Where we build
We have built or remodeled homes across the Austin area. The list below is grouped by part of town. We are open to projects anywhere in the Austin area, so if your lot is not on this list we would still like to hear about it. We would especially like to do more work in Tarrytown, Bryker Woods and Pemberton Heights.
Central Austin
- Tarrytown
- Bryker Woods
- Rosedale
- Highland Park
- Shoalmont
- Crestview
- Allandale
- Travis Heights
West Austin and Westlake
- West Lake Hills and Rollingwood (Westlake)
- Barton Creek
- Barton Creek West
- Regents
- Travis Country
- Long Canyon
- Northwest Hills
- Escala
- Anderson Mill
Lake Austin, Bee Cave and Lake Travis
- Greenshores on Lake Austin
- Spanish Oaks
- Bee Cave
- Lakeway and the Lake Travis area
These areas build differently. A central lot in Tarrytown or Bryker Woods tends to be tight, with mature trees and close neighbors. A lot in Barton Creek or Spanish Oaks tends to be larger, with more slope and more rock. The design, the budget and the construction plan all follow from the lot, which is one reason we want to be in the conversation before the plans are finished.
What we build
We do three things. We build new custom homes. We take on whole-home remodels. And we give budget guidance during the design phase so the plans you fall in love with are plans you can afford to build.
We do not design in-house. We work with outside architects, and if you do not have one yet we will refer you to architects we have worked with. What we bring to the design table is cost. While the architect is drawing, we are pricing, so that the number does not come as a surprise when the drawings are done.
The project Jonathan is proudest of is Standing Rock, a 5,378 square foot new build in Long Canyon in West Austin. He considers it the best representation of the company's quality, finish-out, design and the client we build for. Other new builds include Mountainview in Tarrytown, W 31st in Bryker Woods, Sandia in Barton Creek, Monte Carmelo in Spanish Oaks and Antler in Anderson Mill. Our whole-home remodels include Glenview in Bryker Woods and Shadyrock in Northwest Hills.
Where we build, by neighborhood
- Custom home builder in Tarrytown: new construction in an established West Austin neighborhood, featuring our Mountainview project.
- Custom homes and remodels in Bryker Woods and Pemberton Heights: new builds and whole-home remodels on central lots, featuring W 31st and Glenview, with notes on nearby Rosedale, Highland Park and Shoalmont.
- Custom home builder in Westlake and Barton Creek: West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Barton Creek, Long Canyon and the neighborhoods around them, featuring Sandia and Standing Rock.
- Custom home builder in Bee Cave and Spanish Oaks: Hill Country lots west of town, featuring Monte Carmelo.
- Custom home builder in Lakeway and the Lake Travis area: our lake-area experience on Lake Austin, our nearby Hill Country work, and how we would approach a project on Lake Travis.
How we work and what it costs
- Our custom home building process: the eight steps from the first meeting to move-in, what you do at each step, what we do, and what happens after you move in.
- How much it costs to build a custom home in Austin: our typical per-square-foot range, typical total budgets, remodel budgets and what moves the number.
What our projects typically cost
Our new custom homes typically run $350 to $600 per square foot, and a typical total project budget is $1,000,000 to $2,500,000. Our whole-home remodels typically run $500,000 to $1,500,000. These are the ranges we see on our own projects, not market-wide statistics, and your lot, design and finish level will put you somewhere inside or outside them.
We give a rough estimate during design to confirm that pricing expectations line up, and a final estimate once the plans are nearing completion. The full breakdown of what drives cost is on our cost page.
How long it takes
From the first meeting to move-in is about a year and a half. Construction itself is about 12 months. The rest is design, estimating, contract, plan review and permits. We would rather spend that time getting the plans and the budget right than start construction with open questions.
How we work
Our process has eight steps, and we hold to the order because it protects your budget.
- Initial meetings, and architect referrals if you need them.
- We join the design process to advise on budget and give a rough estimate to confirm pricing expectations.
- Final estimate once plans are nearing completion.
- Contract and initial deposit.
- Plan review and permits.
- Construction, usually around 12 months.
- Punch walk with you, the owner.
- Move-in, with aftercare afterward.
The second step is the one we would point to. We think budget belongs in the design conversation, not after it. The full description of each step is on our process page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you design homes in-house?
No. We work with outside architects and refer you to architects if you need one. We participate in the design process to advise on budget, which is where we add the most value before construction.
How many homes have you built?
We have built 34 homes since the company was founded in 2009.
Will you build outside the neighborhoods listed here?
Yes. We are open to projects anywhere in the Austin area. The list above is where we have already built or remodeled, not a boundary.
Do you do remodels, or only new construction?
Both. We take on whole-home remodels, typically in the $500,000 to $1,500,000 range. Glenview in Bryker Woods and Shadyrock in Northwest Hills are two examples.
How long does a custom home take?
About a year and a half from the first meeting to move-in, with construction itself taking about 12 months.
Talk to us about your project
If you are planning a new home or a whole-home remodel anywhere in the Austin area, call Jonathan Traylor at (512) 809-9840, email jtraylor@mchaustin.com. Tell us about your lot, your timeline and the budget you have in mind, and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.