Most articles give you vague industry ranges. We're going to give you our exact 2026 pricing, because at South Texas Builders, transparency has been a core value since Israel González founded this company in 1992.

This guide covers how our pricing works across our full service area, everything included in every build, real cost estimates by home size, financing options, and a clear answer to the build vs. buy question in the RGV market today.

Our 2026 Pricing by Region

South Texas Builders builds every home to one standard: Fully Loaded. We don't offer a stripped-down base package — granite or quartz countertops, custom ceiling designs, and premium finishes come standard, not as an upsell. What changes is your rate, based on your service region:

Region Price per sq ft Hidalgo & Starr County (McAllen / RGV Core) $115 – $120 Cameron County $120 – $130 Alice, TX & the Coastal Bend $130 – $145

Currently building single-story homes at these rates (9 ft plate height, 30-year shingle roof standard).

📍 Important

These prices apply to construction only. Land, permits, utility connections, and septic (if applicable) are quoted separately. Contact us at 956-594-6936 for a personalized estimate based on your exact lot and region.

What's Included in Every Fully Loaded Build

Every South Texas Builders home is delivered at our Fully Loaded standard. Here's what that means in practical terms:

• Custom kitchen with paint-grade materials

• Custom exterior design — siding, board & batten, or EIFS stucco

• 9 ft walls throughout, with a 10–14 ft ceiling allowance in front areas

• Granite or quartz countertops in the kitchen, pantry, and baths

• 3×6 walk-in showers

• Custom front door with a $2,500 allowance

• Custom ceiling designs in the dining room, living room, and primary bedroom

• Custom entertainment wall or electric fireplace wall

• Custom closets and pantry

• 6'8" interior doors with a $100 per-door allowance

• Your choice of 3 interior and 2 exterior paint colors

• Cedar accents wrapped around the exterior

Material & Finish Allowances by Package

Each Fully Loaded build includes clearly defined allowances for your finishes. Understanding these helps you plan your selections budget accurately.

Item Allowance Plumbing fixtures 0.75% of contract price Electrical fixtures 1.5% of contract price Tile flooring (material only) $2.00/sq ft Shower floor $3.50/sq ft Shower walls $3.00/sq ft Countertops (kitchen, pantry & baths) $700/slab Custom front door $2,500 allowance Front elevation exterior stone 150 sq ft included

Optional Upgrades & Add-Ons

Several high-value upgrades can be added to your Fully Loaded home at a clearly defined additional cost:

Upgrade Additional cost (approx.) Brick exterior wall +$2/sq ft R-Panel metal roof +$5/sq ft Standing seam metal roof +$9/sq ft 10 ft plate height throughout +$3–$5/sq ft Hebel block upgrade +$5/sq ft Exterior wall to metal +$5/sq ft Oversize walk-in shower (beyond 3×6) Custom pricing Real cantera (beyond stone allowance) Additional cost

📌 Key Takeaway: On a 1,800 sq ft home, a standing seam metal roof adds about $16,200. A full Hebel block exterior adds about $9,000. Your project manager will price out any upgrade before it's added to your contract.

Driveway & Bathroom Guidelines

• No garage: driveway is not included

• Single-car garage: up to 400 sq ft of driveway included

• Two-car garage: up to 600 sq ft of driveway included

• Additional driveway area is priced separately

• 1,500–1,800 sq ft homes: up to 2 full bathrooms included

• 1,800–2,500 sq ft homes: up to 3 full bathrooms included

• One standard tub/shower combination is included; additional bathrooms or custom layouts may adjust final pricing

Always Included — Every Package

Regardless of which region you build in, the following are included in every South Texas Builders contract:

• All permits (except windstorm if applicable by zone)

• 10 dirt hauls (14 yards each)

• Open-cell spray foam insulation throughout

• Windows: 1.5% of sale price allocation

• Recessed lighting, within your electrical allowance

• FREE custom blueprints with the purchase of your new home

What's NOT Included

Being clear about what is not in the contract protects you from surprises. The following items are quoted separately:

• Land purchase

• Septic tank

• Windstorm insurance

• Appliances

• Additional dirt hauls beyond the 10 included trips

• Awnings ($500 each)

• Concrete pump, if required

• Driveway area beyond your garage's included allowance

• Utility connections to your property

💡 Pro Tip

During your free consultation, we walk through every line item — included and excluded — so there are zero surprises on your final contract. This is the

How to Finance Your Custom Home Build in McAllen

South Texas Builders works with all major construction loan programs available in Texas. Our team will connect you with trusted local lenders in McAllen the same day you call — no obligation, no pressure.

FHA Construction Loan - 3.5% minimum down payment

FHA: 3.5% down payment, flexible credit requirements (580+ score). Best for first-time builders.

VA Loan for Veterans - $0 down payment

VA: Zero down for eligible veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses. No PMI. We are proud to serve the military families of South Texas.

Conventional Loan - 10–20% down payment

Conventional: 10–20% down. Best long-term rates for buyers with strong credit (620+, best rates at 740+). No mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity.

USDA Rural Development - $0 down payment

USDA: Zero down for eligible rural areas. Many RGV locations — especially in Starr County and outer areas — qualify. Income limits apply.

Construction-to-Perm - 1 closing — saves $2K–$6K

Construction-to-Perm (one-time close): Combines the construction loan and permanent mortgage in a single closing. Available in FHA, VA, and Conventional versions. Saves $2,000–$6,000 in closing costs.

🏦 Your Land May Count as a Down Payment

If you already own your lot, the equity in your land may serve as part or all of your required down payment on a construction loan — one of the most powerful benefits of our Build On Your Lot program. Ask our team for details when you call.

Build vs. Buy in McAllen in 2026: The Honest Answer

This is the question every RGV family asks. Here's our honest, non-salesy take:

🏗️ Build with South Texas Builders

• Exactly the layout your family needs

• Brand-new systems — zero deferred maintenance

• Builder's warranty (1-yr workmanship, 10-yr structural)

• Open-cell spray foam insulation = lower utility bills

• Post-tension slab — engineered for RGV soils

• Current 2024 Texas energy codes

• Free blueprints, transparent regional pricing

• 7–12 months until move-in, depending on plan and region

🏠 Buy an Existing Home in McAllen

• Move in within 30–60 days of closing

• Established neighborhood, mature trees

• Older HVAC, roof, plumbing — replace when?

• Layout is fixed — must renovate to change

• Foundation issues common in older RGV homes

• Built to older, less efficient energy codes

• Hidden inspection surprises after closing

• Limited inventory in desirable RGV areas

📊 Bottom Line

Existing homes in McAllen currently sell between $160,000 and $280,000 for a modest 3-bedroom home. A new 1,800 sq ft custom home built to our Fully Loaded standard runs $207,000 to $216,000 in the McAllen/RGV core — squarely inside that same range, but brand new, under warranty, with spray foam insulation throughout, and every finish chosen by you instead of a previous owner. The only real trade-off is time. If you can wait 7–12 months, building almost always wins.

How Long Does It Take to Build in McAllen?

Weeks 1–2: Pre-Qualification & Consultation

Get pre-approved with a local lender. Free site evaluation if you own land. Zero obligation consultation with our team.

Weeks 2–3: Custom Design & Blueprints

Our design team collaborates with you to create your personalized floor plan. Revisions until it is exactly right. Blueprints are FREE.

Weeks 3–6: Selections, Permits & Loan Closing

Choose your finishes with our Selections Coordinator. Permits submitted to the City of McAllen (3–6 weeks). Loan closes — construction green light.

Weeks 6 - 10: Foundation, Framing & Roof

Site prep, post-tension slab pour, wall and roof framing. City inspections at each structural phase.

Weeks 11 - 15: MEP, Insulation & Drywall

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC rough-ins. Open-cell spray foam. Pre-drywall walkthrough with you before closing the walls.

Weeks 15 - 20+: Interior Finishes & Key Delivery

Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, paint, trim. Final city inspection. Final walkthrough. Keys are yours.

Why South Texas Builders? Our 33-Year Story

South Texas Builders was founded in 1992 by Israel González as González Construction — a family business rooted in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2010, his son Javier González joined the company, carrying the family legacy into a second generation. By 2025, Rolando Peña and Cristo Calderón had joined the team, and the company rebranded as South Texas Builders to reflect its growth across the RGV.

Today, our leadership team — Javier González (Director of Construction) and Cristo Calderón (Director of Transaction) — brings combined decades of experience building custom homes throughout Hidalgo, Starr, and Cameron Counties, and Alice, TX.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a 2,000 sq ft home in McAllen with South Texas Builders?

A 2,000 sq ft home in McAllen (Hidalgo & Starr County) with South Texas Builders costs between $230,000 and $240,000, based on our 2026 Fully Loaded regional pricing. The same home in Cameron County runs approximately $240,000–$260,000, and in Alice or the Coastal Bend approximately $260,000–$290,000. These are construction costs only — land, permits, utility connections, and any applicable septic are quoted separately.

How much more does Cameron County cost than McAllen?

On a 1,800 sq ft home, expect roughly $9,000–$18,000 more in Cameron County than the Hidalgo & Starr County rate, based on the $120–$130 per sq ft range. Alice and the Coastal Bend run approximately $27,000–$45,000 more than McAllen for the same size home.

Are permits included in the construction price?

Yes — all permits are included in every South Texas Builders package, with one exception: windstorm permits, where applicable depending on your zone. We manage the entire permit process on your behalf with the City of McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville, or your specific municipality. This is a significant time and stress savings for our clients.

Can I build with a VA loan in the Rio Grande Valley?

Absolutely — South Texas Builders is proud to work with VA construction loans for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. VA loans require zero down payment and carry no private mortgage insurance (PMI), making them one of the best construction financing options available. You will need your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which your lender can help you obtain. Our team can connect you with a trusted local VA lender the same day you call: 956-594-6936.

Does a one-time-close loan save money?

Yes — Construction-to-Perm (one-time-close) loans typically save $2,000–$6,000 in closing costs versus doing a separate construction loan and permanent mortgage. You also lock in your rate once and avoid a second round of underwriting and paperwork.

What does open-cell spray foam insulation mean and why does it matter?

Open-cell spray foam insulation is a premium insulation material that expands to fill every gap in your walls, ceiling, and attic — creating an airtight thermal envelope that standard batt insulation cannot match. In the South Texas climate, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, this translates directly into meaningfully lower air conditioning costs over the life of your home. It also reduces noise transmission, improves indoor air quality, and adds structural rigidity. Open-cell spray foam is included throughout our Fully Loaded builds at no additional charge — one of the most valuable features of choosing South Texas Builders.

Ready to Get Your Real Estimate?

Call us today  or  schedule a meeting with us . Zero obligation — just a real conversation about your dream home.