Central Texas · Custom Homes · Land
Homes Built To
Last A Lifetime.
From raw land to finished home, one company, start to finish.
(512) 488 9595info@longhornhome-land.comlonghornhome-land.comKempner, TX
Central Texas · Custom Homes · Land
From raw land to finished home, one company, start to finish.
A Word Before We Start
You're about to hand somebody a large amount of money and trust them to do right by you from the first shovel to the day you get your keys.
I know exactly how that feels, because I did it. The man I trusted wouldn't show up, wouldn't bring workers, and dragged the job out until I finally told him to take his stuff and go.
So my brother Al and I finished our own house ourselves. Close to 90 percent of it, with our own two hands, eighteen months, seven days a week. We know every shortcut somebody might try to take on you, because we've walked into other people's homes and found them.
That's why Longhorn exists. Not to be the biggest builder around. To be the one you never have to worry about.
Here's what that means for you. One of us on your site four out of five days. Straight answers, even the ones you don't want to hear. And a house built to the same standard we built ours.
The pages ahead will show you exactly how we work and what we put in writing. Read it, and hold us to every word of it.
Our Story
Our father put us in construction when we were kids. We started out sweeping floors and hauling material, and we worked our way up from there. Framing, concrete, plumbing, electrical, tile, finish work. More than 15 years of it for other companies, running crews, then project management, then building homes. Construction isn't something we picked up recently. It's what we grew up in.
Then a man we trusted told us he ran a construction company. My brother Al and I helped him build two homes, his own and one for a client of his. We never took a dime. It was a handshake: we help him now, and when it came time to build our own home, he helps us. When our turn came, he didn't hold up his end, so we sent him home and built it ourselves.
And we did. Close to 90 percent of our own home, with our own two hands. Eighteen months, seven days a week, not one day off.
While we were still building, people would pull right up the driveway to introduce themselves. They couldn't believe two guys were putting up a whole house on their own. Then a few of them asked if we'd come look at their own builds, because something felt off and they couldn't say what.
Our own build, from the ground upWhat we found is the part that still bothers us. Rafters faked out of short scraps nailed together instead of one solid beam, then nailed to the side of the walls instead of sitting on top of them, which is the only thing holding a roof up. That house was one bad storm from coming down and the owners had no idea. At another house, drywall was run straight into a shower where water would eat it alive. Walls so wavy you'd see it right through the mud. Floors that weren't square, tile laid crooked, cabinets already pulling loose. Different houses, same shortcuts, over and over.
Every one of those people paid good money and trusted somebody. None of them knew what they were looking at, because why would they. Nobody ever told them the truth.
Here's what building our own home taught us that matters to you. We know what every trade is supposed to look like when it's done right, because we've done every one of them ourselves. On your build, our team does the work and we run the job. Nothing gets past us, because we've been the guy holding the tool. Your house gets treated like it's ours. No corners cut.
What We've Built
Every project here is ours, start to finish.
The Details
The parts you see and touch every day. This is the standard we finish to.
Quartz counters · porcelain tile · vessel sinks with brass · backlit mirrors
Porcelain tile · river rock floor · brass fixtures & trim throughout
Granite island · Texas mix stone · custom cabinetry
Texas mix stone · solid wood doors · black-finish windowsWho You're Trusting
Somebody has to keep the paperwork straight, and that ended up being me. I handle the contracts, the numbers, and getting you set up from the first call. Al and I do the site visits together, and once your build is going, one of us is out there running it. If we've got two jobs at once, we trade off so we both know every corner of your house.
I'll always tell you straight where a build stands, good or bad. If we got something wrong, we own it and make it right. If something comes up that's outside our work, I'll tell you that too, and then I'll help you figure out what to do about it. Either way you hear it from me first, not from somebody else three weeks later.
We do put the tools down once in a while. When I do, I'm out on the ranch with the animals, running trails on the UTV, hunting, fishing, or under the hood of one of my cars. Usually with Al or the rest of the family right there with me. That's how we were raised, and it's why this company looks the way it does.
I'd rather be on a job site than anywhere else, so that's where you'll find me. I run the trades, the schedule, and the quality. I came up the same way Kris did, working every trade that goes into a house, and the two of us put up our own home together over eighteen months. There isn't much on a build I haven't done with my own hands.
I don't do the runaround. If something's wrong on a site, I say it right there, to whoever needs to hear it. Some people don't love that about me. But I'd rather have an uncomfortable conversation on a Tuesday than hand you a house I know isn't right.
Off the clock I'm usually exploring somewhere or digging through antique shops for old paintings, signs, whatever good find turns up. We'll catch a rodeo when we can. And some days the best thing going is a chair on the patio, a good view, and family around.
You get the two of us on your build. We're the ones who meet you, the ones running your job, and the ones you call when you have a question. Not a salesman who hands you off after you sign.
Start To Finish
From raw land to the day you move in. No mystery, no disappearing.
We talk through your project, your land, your budget, and your timeline. No pressure. By the end of it we both know whether we're the right fit.
We walk your property together. If you haven't bought yet, we'll tell you straight whether it's the right piece of land. If you own it, we'll show you where the house should sit and what problems the site will hand us. Then we ask if you're ready to move forward into design, so neither of us wastes the other's time.
Your plans get drawn and engineered. While that's happening, you're picking finishes and materials, so we're not waiting on one to start the other. Be as hands-on as you want.
Once the plans are done and we know what your site needs, we build you a real quote. There's a fee for it, and every dollar comes off your build when you move forward. We'll walk you through both ways to build it, cost plus a builder's fee or a lump sum.
We put it all in writing, then get the permits handled. Rules vary city to city and county to county, so we walk you through yours and take care of the legwork. Then we set your schedule and get started.
One of us is on and running your site four of five days. You get photos and updates every week or two, depending on how much is happening, so you always know where your house stands.
We walk the finished house ourselves first and fix what we find. Then we walk it with you, blue tape in hand, and fix anything you mark before you move in.
Keys in hand, backed by your 12-month workmanship warranty. We don't disappear after handover.
One Thing We Do Differently
Your architect, engineer, geotech firm, well driller, and septic installer all contract directly with you, not through us. We want you to know why.
Some builders run all of it through their own company. When they do, those plans belong to the builder. If the relationship ever goes sideways, you walk away with nothing to show for what you paid.
We'd rather you hold the cards. Your agreements are in your name, so the work you paid for stays yours. Their license, their seal, and their insurance stand behind your design directly to you. If you ever decided to walk, you'd leave with everything you paid for.
That doesn't mean you're on your own with it. If you already have an architect or an engineer you want to use, we'll work with them. If you don't, we'll introduce you to the ones we recommend, people whose work we know and trust, so you're not gambling on a stranger with the most important part of your house. Either way, it's your call.
From there we're in the meetings, we ask the questions you wouldn't know to ask, and we keep the whole thing moving. You sign and you make the calls. We do the legwork.
In Writing
Anybody can say they do good work. We'll put ours in writing.
With most builders you're not getting the builder. You're getting a project manager who swings by for an hour and he's gone. That's not how we run a job. One of us, me or Al, is on your site four out of five working days, and we stay as long as your build needs that day. Some days that's a couple of hours. Some days it's the whole day. However long it takes to make sure it's getting done right, that's how long we're there. Anything less than four days out of five, we pay you for the days we missed. Working days means days the crew can actually work, so weather days and holidays don't count against us. Nobody's building in a thunderstorm.
Before you get your keys, we walk the whole house together with blue tape in hand. Anything you're not happy with gets marked, and we fix everything we can before you move a single box in. If something needs a special order or your lender's closing date doesn't leave us room, we'll tell you exactly what's outstanding and when it'll be handled. Nothing on that list gets quietly dropped.
For a full year after your home is done, our workmanship is under written warranty. If something isn't performing the way it should, call us. We'll write it up, come take a look, and if it's our work, we make it right on our dime. And if it turns out to be something else, call us anyway. Your home comes with other warranties too, appliances and equipment from the manufacturer, engineered work and specialty systems from the folks who put them in. Sorting out which warranty covers what can get confusing. We already know the system and the people in it, so we'll get on the phone with you and help you get to the right answer. You went through this build with us, and we're not about to let you sort things out by yourself afterward. Call us whenever, first year or not.
Before we ever pour, your foundation and site prep are engineered specifically for your land, based on the geotech report for your lot. But every home settles some. That's a normal part of a home breaking in. If something comes up and you're not sure what it is, call us. We'll help you figure out a solution.
The Difference
Not a salesman who hands you off the day you sign.
Your architect and engineer contract with you, not us. The work you paid for is yours, no matter what happens.
We tell you the truth even when it costs us the sale, and we explain the why behind every number.
We cap it on purpose. Your build gets real attention instead of getting lost in a stack.
Quality materials, honest workmanship, no corners cut. You will see exactly where it went.
We're not the cheapest, and we won't pretend to be.
What We Do
Raw land to finished home, all under one roof.
We build custom homes on your land, from traditional stick built to barndominiums, start to finish. Foundations engineered for your specific site instead of a stock slab plan, framing that's square and plumb because we check it ourselves, and finish work held to what we'd accept in our own house. We build metal structures too, shops, agricultural buildings, and commercial space. Every job we take, one of us is running it, and every material that goes in has been through us first.
Most of our clients come to us with raw land, or a piece they're thinking about buying. That's usually where the unknowns are. What it'll take to get power and water to the house, whether the septic will pass, how much dirt has to move before anything can be poured. We handle all of it. Clearing, grading, power, water, septic, and access, plus subdividing if you're splitting lots. We've been doing this long enough to know what a piece of land is going to cost you before you're standing on it wondering.
Maybe you bought an older place knowing it needed work, maybe you're flipping it, or maybe you've just lived with that kitchen long enough. We'll gut it to the studs and bring it back like a new build, or do the two rooms you actually care about and leave the rest alone.
In Their Words
I received timely quotes from Longhorn Home and Land. Everything was itemized, the costs were all broken down, so there was no guesswork involved. I knew exactly what everything was going to cost. You got there in a timely manner with all the proper materials, did a good job, and sent me daily videos and photos of progress.
WATCHIt was outstanding. I really appreciate the job you did for me. I had a lot of things that needed to be tightened up as far as the bathroom, the kitchen, and you gave me a fair estimate, great price, and it didn't change. The work was excellent. Absolutely. You did a great job, and I highly recommend you.
WATCHThe quality of work and work ethics of Longhorn Home and Land are beyond excellent. We built our retirement home and used them for multiple projects, including tiling, painting, framing, plumbing. These days, it is hard to find a company that is focused on the customer first and not their profit. They are phenomenal!
From start to finish, Kris and his team were professional, responsive, and detail-oriented. The quality of their work is top-notch, and they finished the project faster then the projected timeline and within budget. I highly recommend Longhorn Home & Land to anyone looking for quality craftsmanship and a trustworthy contractor.
My project with Longhorn Home and Land was an easy process. Very straightforward and no b.s. They do what they say they are going to do. Showed up on time, did the job and did it right. I will definitely use them again as my go-to on any project I need.
Working with you on a jobsite is genuinely smooth. The schedule makes sense, materials are where they need to be, and you don't pile trades on top of each other. You communicate clearly and directly. There's no guessing, no vague instructions. And yes, you pay fair, and you pay on time. You do things the right way, you don't cut corners, and you stand behind your decisions. I'd put my name on the work knowing it reflects well on both of us.
Y'all definitely pay attention to detail and craftsmanship, communicate very well which helps the job go smooth and easy, and I would not have a problem recommending y'all by any means.
Ask Away
For a full custom build, no, and here's why. A real takeoff means reviewing your plans line by line, pricing your actual materials, and accounting for what your specific site needs. That's easily two weeks of work before you've paid us anything. So we charge for the quote, and every dollar of it comes off your build when you move forward. It's the difference between a number you can plan around and a guess that climbs later.
If you want to break ground within about six months, now is the time. The geotech report comes first, because your engineer can't design the foundation without it. Then engineering and design, material selections, and getting utilities to the site. That means drilling a well or running a tap from city water, whichever your property calls for, plus getting power available on site. Add clearing and site prep, and all of that takes roughly six months before the first shovel goes in the ground.
Yes, fully insured, and so is every trade that sets foot on your property. We also require a builder's risk policy in place before we break ground, so your project is covered while it's going up.
As involved as you want to be. Most of our clients are in it the whole way, picking materials, finishes, and layout, because it's their dream home and that's the point of building custom. You're not doing it alone though. We'll walk you through the selections, tell you what works and what doesn't, and help you design it so it comes together the way you pictured it.
Permit rules change from city to city and county to county, and most of the time they require the owner's name on the permit. We help take care of the paperwork and the running around, so all you have to do is review and sign. We also make sure our trades pull whatever permits they're responsible for.
Ask Away
Call before you buy. We'll walk the property with you and give you a real read on what building there involves. How far power has to run, whether the slope means serious dirt work, if the terrain makes things harder than it looks from the road. We can't hand you exact numbers before anyone's dug into it, but we can tell you what's going to add cost and what's going to be simple.
No, and we'll be upfront about that. You'll probably find a lower bid somewhere. Just know what's usually behind one. Cheaper materials than what you thought you were getting. Corners cut in places you'll never see once the walls are closed up. Or a stack of change orders that show up one after another because things weren't priced honestly at the start, and by then you're too far along to switch builders. And at that price you're not getting an owner or a project manager on that site four of five days either. You're getting a crew that shows up when it suits them and nobody watching the details.
Anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the size and complexity of the home. A typical custom home runs about a year. Once permits are approved and we know exactly what we're building, we'll give you a realistic schedule. It's a roadmap, not a guarantee, since weather, inspections, and lender draws all affect the pace.
Two home projects, max. That's a deliberate limit, not a capacity problem. Every promise in this packet depends on it, one of us on your site four of five days, answering your calls, catching problems before they get buried in a wall. Spread across five jobs, none of that holds up.
Changes happen on custom builds, and we'd rather you tell us than live with something you don't like. Speak up as early as you can. We'll tell you exactly what the change costs and how it affects the schedule, and nothing moves forward until you say go. If it turns out we're the ones who got it wrong, that's on us. We fix it at our cost.
The Next Step
I know what it feels like to sit where you're sitting. You're about to hand a large amount of money to somebody you don't really know yet, and hope he does what he says he's going to do. We've been on that side of it, and it's the reason this company exists.
So I'm not going to give you a pitch. Everything we do is in the pages you just read. Read it again if you want, hold us to it, and ask us the hard questions when we meet.
We only take two home projects at a time, so we're not trying to sign everybody. We're looking for the right people to build for. The people we've built for don't stop being part of our lives when the job is done, and honestly that's the part we like most about this work.
Here's the next step. Get in touch. Everything else we'll figure out together, standing on your land.
Built right. Built honest.
