Custom Homes and Remodels in Bryker Woods and Pemberton Heights
Meridian Custom Homes builds custom homes and remodels in Bryker Woods and Pemberton Heights, two established Central Austin neighborhoods a short distance from each other. We have built new in Bryker Woods and we have done a whole-home remodel in Bryker Woods, and both neighborhoods are on the short list of places where we most want to do more work. This page covers the two projects, the remodel-versus-new question that comes up on nearly every central lot, what our work typically costs, and how we run a project.
Meridian Custom Homes was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Traylor after years in commercial and high-end residential construction. We started with speculative and custom homes in West Austin and now have a large presence in Central Austin, with 34 homes built. The overview of everywhere we build is on our Austin custom home builder page.
Two projects in Bryker Woods
We have two completed projects in Bryker Woods, and together they show both sides of what we do.
W 31st is a new custom home of 3,249 square feet. It is the project to look at if you own a Bryker Woods lot and are planning to build from the ground up.
Glenview is a whole-home remodel of 1,797 square feet. It is the project to look at if you own an older Bryker Woods house and want to keep it rather than replace it.
Both project pages carry the photographs. We would rather you look at the finished houses than read a description of them.
Pemberton Heights
We have not yet completed a project in Pemberton Heights, and we would like to. It neighbors Bryker Woods and Tarrytown, and the questions a Pemberton Heights owner brings us are the same ones we have worked through next door: an established lot, mature trees, close neighbors, and a decision about whether the existing house is worth keeping. Our Bryker Woods work is the closest reference for what we would build there, and our Tarrytown project, Mountainview, is on our Tarrytown custom home builder page.
Remodel or build new on a central lot
This question comes up on nearly every central lot, and we do not have a stock answer. Glenview was a remodel. W 31st was a new build. Each path fit a different house and a different budget.
Here is how we help you think about it. Our whole-home remodels typically run $500,000 to $1,500,000. Our new custom homes typically run $350 to $600 per square foot, with total project budgets of $1,000,000 to $2,500,000. Those are the ranges we see on our own projects, not market-wide statistics, but they frame the decision. If the house you want is close to the house you have, a remodel can get you there for less. If the house you want is a different size, a different layout or a different house altogether, new construction is often the clearer path, and the budget needs to reflect that.
We can help you work through that question before you commit to either path. Because we join the design phase to advise on budget, you can take a remodel plan and a new-construction plan to the same early rough estimate and compare them on cost rather than on guesswork.
Nearby: Rosedale, Highland Park and Shoalmont
North of Bryker Woods, we have built or remodeled in Rosedale, Highland Park and Shoalmont, and the work there is worth a look because the lots and the questions are similar.
- Strass, a 3,840 square foot new build in Shoalmont.
- Fresco, a 3,588 square foot new build in Highland Park.
- Highland Terrace, a 2,262 square foot new build in Highland Park.
Across Central Austin we have also built or remodeled in Crestview, Allandale and Travis Heights, and we are open to projects anywhere in the Austin area.
What our projects typically cost
New custom homes: typically $350 to $600 per square foot, with a typical total project budget of $1,000,000 to $2,500,000.
Whole-home remodels: typically $500,000 to $1,500,000.
Where your project lands depends on the size of the house, the complexity of the design, the level of finish and the conditions on the lot. We give a rough estimate during design to confirm pricing expectations, and a final estimate once the plans are nearing completion. A fuller discussion is on our cost to build a custom home in Austin page.
How long it takes
About a year and a half from the first meeting to move-in, with construction itself taking about 12 months. The time before construction is spent on design, estimating, the contract, plan review and permits.
How we work
We do not design in-house. We work with outside architects and refer you to architects if you need one. Our role in the design phase is budget: while the plans are being drawn, we are pricing them, so the number is known before the drawings are final. After that the process runs in eight steps.
We join the design phase early to advise on budget, give a rough estimate and then a final one as the plans firm up, handle plan review and permits, build in about 12 months, and walk the finished house with you before move-in. The full eight steps are on our process page.
Each step is described on our custom home building process page.
When clients tell us what sets us apart, they talk about personal attention, trust, relationships, communication, accessibility, quality, attention to detail, problem solving, aftercare, reliability and accountability. We are members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, NARI, the Texas Association of Builders and the National Association of Home Builders. You can see our Google reviews for what past clients have said in their own words.
Frequently asked questions
Have you built in Bryker Woods?
Yes. W 31st is a 3,249 square foot new custom home in Bryker Woods, and Glenview is a 1,797 square foot whole-home remodel in Bryker Woods.
Have you built in Pemberton Heights?
Not yet. We would like to, and our Bryker Woods and Tarrytown work is the closest reference for what we would build there.
Should I remodel or build new?
It depends on the house you have, the house you want and the budget. Our remodels typically run $500,000 to $1,500,000 and our new homes typically run $1,000,000 to $2,500,000 in total. We can give you an early rough estimate on either path so you can compare them on cost.
Do I need plans before I contact you?
No. We work with outside architects and will refer you to architects if you need one. We then join the design process to advise on budget.
How long does a project 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 in Bryker Woods, Pemberton Heights or the neighborhoods around them, call Jonathan Traylor at (512) 809-9840, email jtraylor@mchaustin.com. Tell us about the house or the lot, your timeline and the budget you have in mind, and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.