Building a custom home in McAllen with South Texas Builders costs $115 to $120 per square foot in 2026, about $207,000 to $216,000 in construction for an 1,800 square foot single story home. Cameron County runs $120 to $130 per square foot, and Alice and the Coastal Bend $130 to $145. Land, septic, utility connections and windstorm insurance are quoted separately.
Most articles give you vague industry ranges. We give you our exact 2026 pricing, because transparency has been a core value since Israel González founded this company in 1992.
This guide covers how our pricing works across the full service area, everything included in every build, cost estimates by home size, financing options, and a clear answer to the build or buy question in the Valley today.
Our 2026 pricing by region
South Texas Builders builds every home to one standard: Fully Loaded. We do not 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 to $120 |
| Cameron County | $120 to $130 |
| Alice, TX & the Coastal Bend | $130 to $145 |
We are currently building single story homes at these rates, with a 9 ft plate height and a 30 year shingle roof as standard.
Important. These prices apply to construction only. Land, utility connections and septic, where needed, are quoted separately, and all permits are included except windstorm where it applies. Your personalized estimate is built from your exact lot and region.
What is included in every Fully Loaded build
Every South Texas Builders home is delivered at our Fully Loaded standard. In practical terms:
- Custom kitchen with paint grade materials
- Custom exterior design: siding, board and batten, or EIFS stucco
- 9 ft walls throughout, with a 10 to 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 and finish allowances
Each Fully Loaded build includes clearly defined allowances for your finishes. Knowing them 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 and 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 to $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 the stone allowance) | Additional cost |
Key takeaway: on a 1,800 sq ft home, a standing seam metal roof adds about $16,200 and a full Hebel block exterior about $9,000. Your project manager prices any upgrade in writing before it goes into your contract.
Driveway and 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 to 1,800 sq ft homes: up to 2 full bathrooms included
- 1,800 to 2,500 sq ft homes: up to 3 full bathrooms included
- One standard tub and shower combination is included; additional bathrooms or custom layouts may adjust final pricing
Always included, in every region
Regardless of where you build, every South Texas Builders contract includes:
- All permits (except windstorm, where it applies by zone)
- 10 dirt hauls (14 yards each)
- Open cell spray foam insulation throughout
- Windows: an allocation of 1.5% of the sale price
- Recessed lighting, within your electrical allowance
- Free custom blueprints with the purchase of your new home
What is not included
Being clear about what is not in the contract protects you from surprises. These 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 no surprises in your final contract.
Three costs outside the contract deserve their own budget line: flood elevation work if your lot sits in a FEMA flood zone, windstorm certification and insurance in Cameron County, and property taxes once the home is on the rolls. Our guides to building on a lot in a flood zone, windstorm certification in Cameron County and property taxes on a new home cover each one.
How to finance your custom home build in McAllen
South Texas Builders works with the major construction loan programs available in Texas. We do not lend, but we connect you with local lenders in McAllen who close construction loans regularly, with no obligation and no pressure. Lender programs and requirements change; the lender confirms what you qualify for.
FHA construction loan: 3.5% minimum down payment
3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher, and more flexible credit requirements than conventional loans. Popular with first time builders. Lenders often set their own higher score floor for construction loans.
VA loan for veterans: $0 down payment
Zero down for eligible veterans, active duty service members and surviving spouses, with no monthly mortgage insurance. We are proud to serve the military families of South Texas.
Conventional loan: 10 to 20% down payment
Typically 10 to 20% down for construction, with the best long term rates for buyers with strong credit. No mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity.
USDA Rural Development: $0 down payment
Zero down in eligible rural areas. Many Valley locations, especially in Starr County and outer areas, qualify. Income limits apply.
Construction to permanent: one closing
A one time close combines the construction loan and the permanent mortgage in a single closing. It is available in FHA, VA and conventional versions, and it typically saves $2,000 to $6,000 in closing costs compared with two separate closings.
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 biggest advantages of our Build On Your Lot program. Ask our team for details.
Our loan comparison guide explains each program in depth, including what changed in 2025 and 2026.
Build vs. buy in McAllen in 2026: the honest answer
This is the question every Valley family asks. Here is our honest take.
Build with South Texas Builders
- Exactly the layout your family needs
- Brand new systems, zero deferred maintenance
- A builder warranty, with its terms written into your contract
- Open cell spray foam insulation for lower utility bills
- Post tension slab, engineered for Valley soils
- Meets or exceeds the current Texas energy code
- Free blueprints and transparent regional pricing
- 7 to 12 months from first meeting to move in, depending on plan and region
Buy an existing home in McAllen
- Move in within 30 to 60 days of closing
- Established neighborhood, mature trees
- Older air conditioning, roof and plumbing, with replacement dates you inherit
- Layout is fixed; changing it means renovating
- Foundation issues are common in older Valley homes
- Built to older, less efficient energy codes
- Inspection surprises can surface after closing
- Limited inventory in the most desirable areas
Bottom line. Existing homes in McAllen sell for roughly $160,000 to $280,000 for a modest three bedroom. A new 1,800 sq ft custom home built to our Fully Loaded standard runs $207,000 to $216,000 in the McAllen and Valley core, inside that same range, but brand new, with spray foam insulation throughout and every finish chosen by you instead of a previous owner. The real trade off is time. If you can wait 7 to 12 months, building usually wins. Our build vs. buy comparison runs the numbers side by side.
How long does it take to build in McAllen?
Plan on roughly two to four months for prequalification, design, selections and permitting, then about six months from loan closing to keys. The construction schedule breaks down like this:
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Final plans and construction documents | About 2 weeks |
| Permit approval | About 2 weeks, varies by city |
| Site prep and post tension foundation | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Framing and roof | About 4 weeks |
| Plumbing, electrical and air conditioning rough ins | About 4 weeks |
| Spray foam, drywall and taping | About 3 weeks |
| Interior finishes, trim and flooring | About 6 weeks |
| Final inspections and punch list | About 2 weeks |
Weather, permit queues and late changes are what stretch it. The construction timeline guide explains each phase, and how we build shows what happens before closing.
Why South Texas Builders? Our three decade story
South Texas Builders was founded in 1992 in Alice, Texas, by Israel González as Gonzalez Construction, a family business that grew up building across South Texas. 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 Valley.
Today Javier González (Construction Manager), Rolando Peña (Director of Operations) and Cristo Calderón (Finance Manager) lead a team that builds custom homes throughout Hidalgo, Starr and Cameron Counties and in Alice, Texas. Meet everyone on our about page.
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) costs between $230,000 and $240,000 in construction, based on our 2026 Fully Loaded regional pricing. The same home in Cameron County runs about $240,000 to $260,000, and in Alice or the Coastal Bend about $260,000 to $290,000. These are construction costs only; land, utility connections and any septic are quoted separately.
How much more does Cameron County cost than McAllen?
On a 1,800 sq ft home, expect roughly $9,000 to $18,000 more in Cameron County than at the Hidalgo & Starr County rate, based on the $120 to $130 per sq ft range. Alice and the Coastal Bend run about $27,000 to $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 contract, with one exception: windstorm, where it applies by zone. We manage the permit process on your behalf with the City of McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville or whichever jurisdiction your lot falls under.
Can I build with a VA loan in the Rio Grande Valley?
Yes. We work with VA construction loans for eligible veterans, active duty service members and surviving spouses. VA loans require no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, which makes them one of the strongest construction financing options available. You will need your Certificate of Eligibility, which your lender can help you obtain, and we can introduce you to a local lender who handles VA construction.
Does a one time close loan save money?
Usually. A construction to permanent (one time close) loan typically saves $2,000 to $6,000 in closing costs compared with a separate construction loan and permanent mortgage. You also lock your rate once and avoid a second round of underwriting and paperwork.
What is open cell spray foam insulation and why does it matter?
Open cell spray foam expands to fill the gaps in your walls and roofline, creating an air sealed thermal envelope that standard batt insulation cannot match. In South Texas, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, that means meaningfully lower air conditioning costs over the life of the home. It also cuts noise and keeps hot, humid outdoor air and dust out of the walls. Open cell spray foam is included throughout every Fully Loaded build at no additional charge.
Ready to get your real estimate?
Schedule a consultation and we will build the estimate around your lot, your region and your plan. Zero obligation, just a real conversation about your home.
