Twin Cities Custom Home & lake house Building
Creating Unique Homes in Edina, Lake Minnetonka, Monticello, and Surrounding Communities

custom homes & lake houses designed around you
Sometimes, the home or lake house you’re looking for just doesn’t exist…yet. You’ve seen the listings, walked through open houses, and imagined how it could work for your lifestyle. But when nothing feels quite right, building from the ground up can be the best way to get everything you’re hoping for, without settling.
We believe that building a custom home starts with listening. We take the time to understand how you live, what matters to you, and how you want your home to feel, not just how it should look. It’s a collaborative process that leads to homes that feel natural, enduring, and deeply connected to you.
Whether your vision leans more clean-lined and contemporary or transitional, our team brings together decades of experience, skilled craftsmanship, and a calm, clear process from start to finish.
If you’re ready to start fresh, we’re here to help you build something that fits your style and your life.
what to look for in a custom home or lake house builder
A custom home is a major investment, not just financially, but emotionally and mentally. That’s why choosing the right builder is just as important as choosing the right design. You’ll want a team that understands your vision, respects your time, and works with care from start to finish.
As you begin exploring your options, here are a few things worth paying close attention to:
- A strong, relevant portfolio – Look for homes that reflect the design style and quality you’re hoping to achieve.
- Client reviews that show patterns—Look for qualities like communication, timeliness, professionalism, organization, respect, and cleanliness, which can speak volumes.
- A collaborative consultation experience – Pay attention to how the team listens. Are they curious? Clear in their communication? Willing to ask questions and offer thoughtful insight?
- An integrated approach – Working with a builder that also offers architectural design can streamline the process and keep everything aligned.
- Transparency and trust – From pricing to timelines to process, look for a team that’s upfront, responsive, and focused on helping you make informed decisions.
Finding the right fit makes the entire experience smoother, more creative, and ultimately more rewarding.
what could you include in your custom home or laKE HOUSE?
Designing a custom home is your chance to rethink what comfort, flow, and daily living can really look like. Below are a few features that often come up during the design process to help you start dreaming a little bigger:
- An expansive chef’s kitchen with a spacious island, top-tier appliances, and a separate back kitchen for hosting
- A resort-style primary suite with a spa-inspired bath, large dressing room, sitting area, and private patio
- A light-filled three- or four-season room with vaulted ceilings and views of the surrounding landscape
- A dedicated home gym or wellness space with room for cardio, weights, and recovery
- A high-end basement cocktail bar with a wine cellar, natural stone, custom lighting, and dramatic finishes
- A home library, study, or creative studio designed around how you focus, reflect, or recharge
- Architectural detailing in every space—from ceiling treatments to millwork, lighting, and material transitions
We work with care to create a home that reflects more than just impeccable design—it reflects you, in every room and every detail.
why choose ma peterson for your home in the twin cities
At MA Peterson, custom home building is about more than great design or quality construction. It’s about trust, communication, and creating a home that reflects who you are and how you want to live.
Since 1979, we’ve partnered with families throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas who care about their experience and value a solid process. We take the time to listen, ask the right questions, and bring clarity to every step, because when expectations are clear and collaboration is strong, the results speak for themselves.
Our role is to guide the process with clarity, not overload it with noise. We design with care, build with precision, and stay focused on creating a home or lake house that feels aligned with your life, not just what’s trending.
In the end, it’s about how it feels to live in it and the experience it took to get there.
FAQS: CUSTOM HOME BUILDING
- How Do I Buy Land to Build a Custom Home?expand_more
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Finding the right lot is one of the most important parts of building a custom home. It’s not just about location; it’s also about how well the land supports the kind of home and lifestyle you’re planning to create.
Whether you're considering land in Medina with wide open acreage or tearing down an old home in Edina to build your custom home, here are a few things to think through as you begin your search:
- Lot size and shape – Make sure the land can accommodate your ideal square footage and still leave room for outdoor living.
- Setbacks and zoning restrictions – Each city has different regulations that affect where and how you can build.
- Privacy and spacing – Consider how close your neighbors will be, and how much buffer you’d like between properties.
- Topography and soil conditions – Sloped, wooded, or uneven lots will require additional engineering or site prep. In the Twin Cities, watershed district permitting is often needed in addition to local approvals.
- Utilities and access – Check whether water, sewer, electricity, and internet are already available.
- Sunlight and orientation – Think about how the home will sit on the lot and where natural light will enter each space.
- Future plans – If you’re thinking about a pool, guest house, or garden someday, look for a lot that supports future flexibility.
Buying land is a big decision, but with the right team guiding you, it can be the beginning of something truly special.
- Is It Better to Buy a House or Build One?expand_more
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It depends on your priorities, but for many homeowners, building a custom home offers a level of customization that buying just can’t match.
When you buy an existing home, you're often working within someone else’s choices: the layout, the materials, and the square footage.
You may love the location but compromise on the kitchen, wish the primary suite were larger, or realize the finishes don’t reflect your style. Updates can help, but they don’t always solve everything.
Building a custom home gives you the chance to make exacting decisions from the start. You can choose the layout that supports your daily routine, design with aging in place in mind, include niche spaces, and select materials that reflect your personal taste.
That said, building a custom home does take time and involves a lot of decisions along the way. If your schedule is packed or you’d rather avoid the details, buying an existing home might be the simpler path.
In the end, it’s a more intentional path for many of our clients because it’s the one that makes everything feel right.
- How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home?expand_more
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Most custom homes take between 18 and 24 months from the initial conversation to move-in day, depending on the scope, complexity, and level of customization involved.
Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
- Discovery & Consultation
We start by getting to know you, what you’re looking for, how you live, and what you’re hoping to create. - Conceptual Design
Our in-house architectural design team develops a vision for your home, exploring layout ideas, priorities, and aesthetic direction. - Design Development
We refine the details—selecting materials, engineering systems, and creating the full drawing set needed for permitting and pricing. - Permitting & Pre-Construction
We handle the technical steps of preparing your project for construction, including city approvals, permitting, and final contracts.
- Construction
Once construction begins, our team manages the schedule, coordinates every detail, and keeps you informed from the first foundation pour to the final walkthrough. - Move-In
You walk into a home that reflects the life you imagined—built with care, collaboration, and craftsmanship from start to finish.
We believe the process should feel as personalized as the home itself, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
- Discovery & Consultation




Our Design-Build Process
With a Design Agreement we start by creating a digital replication of your home’s floor plan (at least the areas we plan on working in). We often use modern technology like MatterPort to scan and capture a 3D model. The point is to get a super accurate starting point from which we can design. This typically takes a few weeks.
This is your project and your dream – and we want to understand as much as we can. We meet to listen to your goals, priorities, and dreams. Homeowners often find it helpful to show us pictures on websites like Houzz or Pinterest that they’ve found inspirational.
With the vision you’ve laid out for us, we get to work creating concepts for your new space. As we collaborate with you, we hone in on the plan you love most. With that plan we create more refined drawings and provide a project cost estimate (within 10%). Your availability to meet and decisiveness drives this stage’s duration.
Looking for inspiration?
Step Inside Our PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS and Project GALLERIES
WHERE WE WORK
At MA Peterson, we proudly serve the Twin Cities area, bringing our design-build expertise to a variety of communities. Our dedication to quality craftsmanship and personalized service has made us a trusted name in home building and remodeling throughout the region. We are committed to enhancing the beauty and functionality of homes in each of these unique locales.
Don't see your location listed? Contact us to see if we work in your area.
Our Service Area
- Edina
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
- Wayzata
- St. Louis Park
- Eden Prairie
- Minnetonka Beach
- Orono
- Excelsior
- Deephaven
- Spring Park
- Tonka Bay
- Minnetrista
- Woodland
- Mound
- Greenwood
- Shorewood

What Our Clients Think
"I could tell that once they get to the part about how the company was set up, my husband’s ears totally perked up. He really gets into that stuff, I know he thought it was really smart. I got the sense that they had an intellectual interest in any project. They weren’t just searching for the home they could put on the luxury home tour."
Angie & Patrick
Mendota Heights

What Our Clients Think
"Just completed a remodel project with MA Peterson in a high rise condo which makes it all the more difficult. I can’t say enough about the efficiency and professionalism of Jesse and Curt, including the subs they engaged. They were finished ahead of time and under budget. The results are even better than I hoped for. I’m sure they can do big jobs too, but I didn’t expect to find someone who could handle a small, but complex - to me at least - job. 10 stars for this group!"
Becky
Minneapolis

What Our Clients Think
"We have used MA Peterson for multiple projects over 15 years, including a custom humidor and wall cabinet for our musical equipment. Their communication, customer service, and professionalism are top-notch. We are extremely happy with the results!"
Kris N.
Remodel

What Our Clients Think
"The quality of workmanship performed by MA Peterson is phenomenal. They are true Craftsmen in all aspects of work including communication, quality and timeliness. We have engaged them twice in the past 17 years and have been very pleased."
Mike & Paige
Edina

What Our Clients Think
"MA Peterson created a beautiful owner suite & bathroom for us. We loved that every step of the project was mapped out in advance AND they stayed on schedule and budget. We have a timeless and gorgeous retreat thanks to MA Peterson and will use them again for our next remodel project. They were worth every penny!"
Susan
Maple Grove

What Our Clients Think
"MA Peterson was brilliant in connecting the roof lines and flow, joining old with new, seamlessly. Mark’s understanding of space, light, and scale brought the modern back to our mid-century home. His team knows exactly how to combine ease of living with edgy and interesting design. We love living in it!"
Michelle
Edina
Comprehensive Cost Guide
For Bringing Your Twin Cities Home Project to Life
//Gain access to comprehensive cost information for your home remodel and ensure you're fully prepared for your project. Our detailed cost guide will help you understand cost estimates for various remodels and services, learn effective budgeting tips and strategies, and explore popular upgrades and design trends!