Custom Home Builder in Bandera, TX
New homes, barndominiums, additions and rebuilds for Bandera and the Medina River country, built by a Kerrville crew about 35 minutes away.
New Homes, Additions and Rebuilds in Bandera, TX
Bandera has the Medina River running past town, ranch land in every direction and a main street that still feels like the Cowboy Capital of the World. Building here takes some local homework. The rules change depending on whether your lot is inside the City of Bandera or out in the county, and the river, the rock and the well rules all shape what a home costs.
Big Country Design & Construction is based in Kerrville, about 35 minutes down Highway 173. We build new homes, barndominiums, additions and flood rebuilds across Bandera County, and we’re close enough to be on your site when it counts.
What we build in Bandera
- New homes on your land. Semi-custom and custom, from a ranch house on acreage to a family home in town. See our custom homes.
- BuildSmart fixed-price homes. From $325K. $250 per heated sq ft (about $165–195 under roof), including a two-car garage and covered porches. The price is locked before we break ground. See BuildSmart plans and pricing.
- Barndominiums, shops and guesthouses. A natural fit for Bandera County acreage.
- Additions and remodels. More room without leaving the place you love.
- Flood repair and rebuilds. Raised electrical and water heaters, flood-resistant insulation, and the elevation and permit paperwork handled for you.
Building in Bandera: what’s different
City lot or county land changes the paperwork. Inside Bandera city limits, new construction needs a city permit and inspections by the city’s building inspector. The city has adopted the 2018 International Building Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code. Out in the county there’s no city permit, but Bandera County uses a development permit that covers septic and floodplain work. We figure out which side of the line you’re on during the first visit.
Septic depends on where you build. Inside the city, a lot that can’t reach public sewer falls under the city’s own on-site sewage rules. In the county, septic goes through Bandera County’s development permit, and if the property is in a mapped flood zone, the county wants an elevation certificate on the foundation before the system is licensed to operate. On rocky ground, plan on an aerobic system, which comes with a required maintenance contract. We price it upfront.
Register the well before the rig shows up. Wells in Bandera County fall under the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, and nobody can start drilling without notifying the district or registering the well first. Under the district’s rules, an exempt household well on land platted on or after September 1, 2022 needs at least 10 acres, and land platted from September 2002 through August 2022 needs 5. The well also has to sit at least 50 feet from the property line. Check this before you buy a small tract.
Know your flood zone before you fall for the river lot. The Medina runs right past town. Inside the city, the code sets the minimum slab elevation in the 100-year floodplain at two feet above the flood level. In the county, floodplain work runs through the development permit. Either way, a mapped flood zone usually means a surveyor’s elevation certificate, and your floor height gets set off the base flood elevation. We check the map on the first site visit.
Rock, slope and long driveways. A lot of Bandera County land is shallow limestone with real grade to it. That affects foundation design, septic layout and how much dirt work your pad needs. If your driveway comes off a state highway like 16 or 173, TxDOT has to permit it. We walk all of it before we give you a number.
What it costs
BuildSmart homes start at $325K, priced at $250 per heated sq ft with the garage and covered porches included. Custom homes run $260+ per sq ft of living space, and barndominiums run $180–$250 per sq ft finished. Site work on most rural lots adds about $48K–$82K for septic, well, driveway and power, and you get the exact number in writing before you sign. Most remodels and additions start around $50K. See our full cost guide.
How it works
- Quick call. Tell us about your land, your plans and your budget range.
- Lot check. We drive down and look at septic, well, flood zone, access and slope. Ideally before you buy.
- Preconstruction. Plans, selections and a firm price before anything gets built.
- Build. One point of contact, a real schedule, and photos and daily updates in your Buildertrend client portal.
- Walkthrough and warranty. We finish the punch list and back new homes with our 2-5-10 warranty.
Bandera building FAQ
Do I need a building permit to build a house in Bandera?
Inside city limits, yes. The City of Bandera issues the permit and inspects the work. Outside the city, Bandera County’s development permit covers septic and floodplain work. We handle the applications either way.
Can I build near the Medina River?
Often, yes, but the flood zone decides how high the floor sits and what permits you need. We check the map and elevation before you commit.
How much land do I need for a well in Bandera County?
It depends on when the land was platted. Newer tracts need 10 acres for an exempt household well, and older ones need less. The groundwater district has the final say, so we check before you close.
Do you build barndominiums in Bandera?
Yes. Barndos, shops and guesthouses on acreage are a big part of what we do. See our barndominiums.
How far are you from Bandera?
About 35 minutes from our Kerrville office. We also build in Kerrville, Center Point and Boerne.
Why Bandera Homeowners Choose Big Country
- A firm price in writing before we build
- City or county permits handled for you
- Septic, well and flood zone checked early
- Photo updates you can check anytime
- Kerrville crews, about 35 minutes away
Building in Bandera? Let's Walk Your Lot.
Call (830) 53-BUILD or send us a note below. We’ll tell you straight what your land needs and what it’ll take to build there.
How To Start
We make the process as simple as possible for you. Simply start out by contacting us and setting up a time to talk so we can hear about your request and we can tell you straight what it will take.
Why Big Country Construction?
With over a decade of experience and hundreds of happy customers, we are your trusted professionals in your area.
Owner Troy Hassmann graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Architecture and has been an expert in the industry ever since.
We are a professional business licensed and insured so you can feel safe knowing your project is in good hands
With a 5 star rating on Google, our clients have been happy with their results and let everyone know!
Your Dream Home Starts Here – Let’s Make It Happen
At Big Country Construction, we believe your home should reflect your lifestyle, your values, and your vision. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen in Kerrville, building a custom home in Boerne, or adding a patio in Fredericksburg, we’re here to make it seamless and stress-free.
From concept to completion, our team brings craftsmanship, communication, and care to every project. Let us show you what it’s like to work with a contractor who truly puts your needs first.
