Custom Home Builder Burnet, TX | TMB Construction
TMB Construction is Burnet, TX's locally based custom home builder, offering full-service design-to-completion construction starting at $150–$250 per square foot. Owner Justin Torres and his licensed, insured crew build custom homes, barndominiums, and additions across Burnet County — no subcontractors for core work, one team start to finish. Call 830-289-3852 for a free estimate.
Burnet, Texas — the self-proclaimed 'Bluebonnet Capital of Texas' — sits at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 281 and Texas State Highway 29 in central Burnet County, roughly 65 miles northwest of Austin and 55 miles north of San Antonio's outer suburbs. The city of about 6,500 residents anchors a rapidly growing region where retirees, remote workers, and Hill Country lifestyle seekers are purchasing acreage lots at record pace. TMB Construction's headquarters is located right here in Burnet, meaning our crew isn't driving 90 minutes from Austin — we're your neighbors. From the established neighborhoods near Burnet High School off FM 963 to new rural builds along RR 2341 and out toward Lake Buchanan's southeastern shore, we know every corner of this county. The terrain in Burnet County presents distinct construction challenges: shallow Edwards Plateau limestone sits just 6–18 inches below the topsoil in many areas, requiring engineered pier foundations or caliche-reinforced slabs rated for load-bearing on thin soil profiles. Summer highs average 96°F and winters bring occasional hard freezes between December and February — both extremes that directly inform how we frame, insulate, and finish every home we build. Burnet County is also in one of Texas's most active hail corridors, with peak storm activity running March through May each year. Building smart in Burnet means building for that climate from day one. The Burnet County Appraisal District (located at 212 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611) has recorded steady property value appreciation of 8–14% annually in recent years, making a well-built custom home one of the strongest investments available in this market.
Our Services
Custom Home Construction
From initial site evaluation on your Burnet County acreage to the final certificate of occupancy, TMB Construction manages every phase of your custom home build. We handle foundation engineering (critical on Burnet's shallow limestone terrain), framing, roofing, insulation, exterior finish, and final inspections. Our builds typically range from 1,200 to 4,500 square feet and are designed to meet IBC 2021 and Texas Residential Building Code requirements enforced by Burnet County. In our 7+ years building across the Hill Country, we've completed custom homes along CR 105, near Inks Lake State Park, and throughout the FM 2341 corridor — each one tailored to the land and the homeowner's vision.
$150–$250 per square foot depending on finishes, site conditions, and square footageBarndominium Construction
Barndominiums are one of the most popular build types we complete in Burnet County, combining steel-frame durability with fully finished living quarters. A standard barndominium from TMB uses 26-gauge Galvalume steel panels on the exterior, open-span interior framing, and custom interior layouts ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 square feet. These structures are exceptionally suited to Burnet's climate: steel roofing sheds hail damage better than asphalt shingles, and a well-insulated metal envelope with R-30 minimum ceiling insulation handles both 96°F summers and hard winter freezes efficiently. Our barndominium construction services cover full design, permitting through the Burnet County permitting office, foundation, framing, mechanical rough-ins, and interior finish.
$95–$175 per square foot for full barndominium buildMetal Buildings
TMB Construction (formerly Torres Metal Buildings) has deep roots in commercial and agricultural metal building construction across Burnet County. Whether you need a 40x60 shop, an agricultural storage building, or a combination garage-workshop on rural acreage off U.S. 281, we design and erect metal structures built to Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) standards. All metal buildings include engineered drawings suitable for Burnet County permit submission. Steel-frame metal buildings in this region typically withstand hail events that damage conventional roofing — a major practical advantage during Burnet's March–May storm season.
$20–$45 per square foot for standard metal buildings; higher for insulated/finished interiorsHome Additions & Remodels
Not every project in Burnet is a ground-up build. TMB handles structural additions, master suite expansions, garage conversions, and full interior remodels on existing homes throughout the city and county. We regularly assist homeowners near the Burnet town square and in established subdivisions off Texas 29 West who want to expand without moving. All addition work is permitted through the City of Burnet Building Department or Burnet County, depending on jurisdiction, and must comply with the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by Texas. Typical addition timelines run 8–16 weeks depending on scope.
$120–$200 per square foot for additions; remodel pricing varies by scopeRoofing (New Construction & Replacement)
With Burnet County sitting squarely in Texas's hail belt — peak season March through May — roofing quality is not optional. TMB installs impact-resistant asphalt shingles (Class 4 rated), standing seam metal roofing, and corrugated metal panels on both residential and commercial structures. For new construction, roofing is integrated into our full-build process. For roof replacement on existing homes, we provide free inspections and insurance claim documentation support. ENERGY STAR-rated roofing materials are available to help reduce cooling loads during Burnet's average 96°F summer highs.
$8,000–$25,000 for residential roof replacement depending on size and materialConcrete Work & Foundations
Foundation engineering is particularly critical in Burnet County due to the shallow Edwards limestone shelf and expansive clay soils found in many low-lying areas near Oatmeal Creek and the Colorado River arm of Lake Buchanan. TMB pours post-tension slabs, pier-and-beam foundations, driveways, sidewalks, and concrete pads for outbuildings. We coordinate geotechnical assessments when site conditions warrant — a step many contractors skip that leads to foundation failures within 5–10 years. Our concrete work meets ACI 318 structural standards and all local code requirements.
$6–$12 per square foot for slab foundations; driveways $4,500–$12,000 depending on length and widthLand Clearing & Site Prep
Building on raw Burnet County acreage almost always requires cedar, mesquite, and live oak clearing before any construction can begin. TMB provides full land clearing, grubbing, caliche road base installation, and rough grading to establish proper drainage slopes per Burnet County stormwater requirements. We also handle septic system coordination and utility trench prep. Having land clearing and construction under one crew eliminates the costly scheduling gaps and miscommunications that happen when separate contractors hand off a site.
$1,500–$6,000 per acre depending on vegetation density and terrainWelding & Structural Fabrication
As a company with metal fabrication roots, TMB offers professional welding services for custom gates, cattle guards, carports, structural steel connections, and fencing throughout Burnet County. This in-house welding capability also speeds up metal building erection and barndominium framing by eliminating the need to outsource any steel work. All structural welding is performed to AWS D1.1 standards where applicable.
Quoted by project scope; custom gates typically $800–$3,500Custom Home Building Costs in Burnet, TX — 2025–2026 Pricing Guide
Custom home construction costs in Burnet, Texas generally range from $150 to $250 per square foot for a fully finished residence, with the final number driven by finish level, foundation type, lot conditions, and current material costs. In our 7+ years of Hill Country builds, we've found that Burnet County projects skew toward the mid-range due to site prep costs on rocky or cedar-heavy acreage — budget $10,000–$30,000 for land clearing and site prep on a raw lot before the first concrete pour. A 2,000-square-foot custom home with mid-grade finishes in Burnet typically runs $300,000–$400,000 all-in for construction (land not included). Barndominium builds offer a cost-effective alternative at $95–$175 per square foot, making a 2,400-square-foot barndo feasible for $228,000–$420,000 depending on interior finish level. Material costs in 2025 reflect ongoing pricing volatility: framing lumber averages $500–$700 per thousand board feet, and 26-gauge steel panels for metal building exteriors average $3.50–$5.50 per square foot installed. These figures are estimates — call 830-289-3852 for a free, site-specific estimate tailored to your Burnet County property.
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Custom Home (Standard Finishes) | $150–$185 per sq ft |
| Custom Home (Premium Finishes) | $200–$250 per sq ft |
| Barndominium (Shell + Finish) | $95–$175 per sq ft |
| Metal Building (Agricultural/Shop) | $20–$45 per sq ft |
| Home Addition | $120–$200 per sq ft |
| Land Clearing & Site Prep | $1,500–$6,000 per acre |
| Concrete Slab Foundation | $6–$12 per sq ft |
Local Building Codes & Regulations
Building a custom home in Burnet, TX requires navigating both City of Burnet and Burnet County permitting processes depending on whether your property sits within city limits or in the unincorporated county. For properties within the City of Burnet, building permits are issued through the City's Building Department at Burnet City Hall (109 E. Jackson St., Burnet, TX 78611). Unincorporated Burnet County properties fall under the Burnet County Commissioner's Court jurisdiction, with permit coordination typically handled through the county judge's office. Texas does not operate a statewide building department, but residential construction must comply with the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2021 International Building Code (IBC) as adopted under Texas Government Code Chapter 214. All contractors performing residential construction in Texas must be registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). TMB Construction is fully licensed and insured under TDLR requirements. Energy code compliance follows the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which mandates minimum R-13 wall insulation and R-38 ceiling insulation for Climate Zone 2 (which includes Burnet County). Septic system permits in unincorporated Burnet County are issued through the Burnet County Environmental Health office and must comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Chapter 285 standards — a step that is frequently overlooked by out-of-area contractors unfamiliar with rural Hill Country builds. From our experience with Burnet County permitting, plan on 3–6 weeks for permit approval on a standard custom home, and factor an additional 2–4 weeks if an engineered septic site evaluation is required.
Why Choose TMB Construction
Our Process
Free On-Site Consultation & Estimate
We meet you on your Burnet County property — whether it's a finished lot near town or 20 raw acres off a county road — and walk the site together. Justin Torres personally conducts initial consultations for custom home projects. We assess soil conditions, access, utilities, topography, and your vision, then deliver a written estimate within 5–7 business days. Call 830-289-3852 to schedule.
Design & Engineering
Once you're ready to move forward, we develop your home's floor plan and structural drawings. We coordinate with licensed Texas engineers for foundation design (especially important on Burnet's limestone/clay soils) and produce permit-ready construction documents compliant with IBC 2021 and IRC 2021. Design phase typically runs 3–6 weeks for a custom home.
Permitting & Approvals
TMB submits all permit applications to the City of Burnet Building Department or Burnet County, depending on your property's jurisdiction. We manage the review process, respond to RFIs (Requests for Information) from reviewers, and coordinate septic system permits with Burnet County Environmental Health per TCEQ Chapter 285 requirements. Typical permit approval: 3–6 weeks.
Site Prep, Land Clearing & Foundation
Once permits are in hand, we mobilize our land clearing equipment and prepare the building pad. Cedar and brush clearing, rough grading, caliche base roads for construction access, and underground utility coordination all happen in this phase. Foundation forming and pour follows — typically a post-tension slab for Burnet County soil conditions — with a 7–10 day cure period before framing begins.
Framing, Roofing & Envelope Closure
Our in-house framing crew erects the structure — wood frame, steel frame, or hybrid depending on your design. Roofing (we recommend Class 4 impact-resistant materials for Burnet's hail exposure) and exterior sheathing are installed to achieve weather-tight closure. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins follow per Texas-adopted IRC standards, with inspections called between phases.
Interior Finish & Final Inspection
Insulation (R-19 walls, R-38 ceiling minimum), drywall, flooring, cabinetry, trim, and fixture installation complete the home's interior. We schedule all required final inspections with the applicable jurisdiction, obtain your Certificate of Occupancy, and walk you through every system in your new home before handing over the keys. Total timeline for a custom home: 8–14 months from contract to CO.
Local Construction Considerations
Burnet County's physical and regulatory environment creates specific construction demands that any competent builder must account for. The Edwards Plateau limestone shelf — which outcrops visibly along U.S. 281 north of Burnet toward Lampasas — means rock-breaking or engineered deep piers may be required when building on elevated terrain. In contrast, the creek bottoms and low areas near Hamilton Creek and the South Fork of the San Gabriel River's headwaters exhibit expansive black clay soils that shift seasonally, making post-tension slab engineering non-negotiable for long-term structural integrity. Summer temperatures in Burnet routinely hit 96°F with low humidity from June through September, which drives demand for proper building envelope insulation — we specify R-19 minimum in exterior walls and R-38 in ceilings on all custom homes, exceeding the IECC 2021 minimum of R-13/R-38 for Climate Zone 2. Hard freezes between December and February occur several times most winters, and Burnet's 2021 February freeze event underscored the importance of properly insulated plumbing chases and thermal breaks in metal building connections. Burnet County sits within FEMA Flood Zone designations along the Colorado River arm near Lake Buchanan and along Pecan Creek — any build within these zones requires an Elevation Certificate and potentially flood-resistant construction methods per NFIP guidelines. Additionally, Burnet is in the wildland-urban interface zone for cedar and brush fire risk; the Texas A&M Forest Service recommends minimum 30-foot ember-resistant zones around new construction in this area, which informs our site prep and landscaping recommendations.
Also Serving Nearby Areas
Custom Home Builder Burnet, TX FAQs
Custom home construction in Burnet, TX typically costs $150–$250 per square foot for the build itself, depending on finish level and site conditions. A 2,000-square-foot home with mid-grade finishes runs approximately $300,000–$400,000 in construction costs. Add $40,000–$80,000 for raw land site development (clearing, septic, driveway, utilities) on most Burnet County acreage lots. Barndominium builds start lower at $95–$175 per square foot. These are 2025 estimates — material costs fluctuate. Call TMB Construction at 830-289-3852 for a free site-specific estimate on your Burnet County property.
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