Hours vary Portland (207) 544-3126
Woodhouse Builders LLC
Custom Home Builders in Maine, From Foundation to Finish

Portland Local

Custom Home Builders in Maine, From Foundation to Finish

Woodhouse Builders LLC manages every phase of new construction so you get one builder, one plan, and no surprises.

Call now(207) 544-3126
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Custom Home Building in Maine, Managed Start to Finish

If you're weighing whether to build or buy, the honest answer is: it depends on the lot, the timeline, and what you're willing to compromise on. Buying new construction means accepting someone else's floor plan, finishes, and site decisions. Building with Woodhouse Builders LLC means Scotty Woodhouse manages your project from permit application to final walkthrough, and every decision stays with you. We work throughout Greater Cumberland County, including Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth, and communities across southern Maine. Call (207) 544-3126 to talk through your site and scope before you've committed to anything.

New construction is priced by square footage, finish level, site conditions, foundation type, mechanical complexity, and what the local permitting authority requires. A simple cape on a prepared lot looks nothing like a custom colonial on a sloped parcel that needs engineered fill and a walkout basement. Maine's climate adds its own requirements: proper vapor management, insulation values that meet or exceed energy code, and framing details that account for wind and snow loads. Every job is different, and the figure any contractor gives you over the phone before seeing the site is a guess. Contact Woodhouse Builders LLC for an accurate estimate built around your actual lot and plan.

What a New Build Actually Covers

One contractor coordinating every trade means no scope gaps and no finger-pointing when something doesn't line up.

01

Site Work and Foundation

Excavation, footing design, foundation type, and drainage all get determined before a single stud goes up. Maine's frost depth requires footings at 48 inches minimum. Get this wrong and you're re-engineering the whole structure.

02

Framing and Structural

Wall framing, roof structure, floor systems, and sheathing. This is where square footage becomes a real building. Framing decisions affect everything from ceiling heights to where utilities can run.

03

Mechanical Rough-In

Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC get roughed in before any wall is closed. The sequence matters, changes after drywall are expensive. We coordinate trades so rough-ins happen in the right order.

04

Exterior Shell

Roofing, windows, doors, and siding close the building to weather. Maine's coast demands materials and installation details that hold up to salt air, driving rain, and ice damming. We don't cut corners on the envelope.

05

Interior Finish

Insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, cabinetry, and paint bring the structure to livable. This is where finish level choices drive cost most significantly. We'll walk you through the trade-offs before you commit.

06

Permits and Inspections

Every municipality in Greater Cumberland County has its own process. We pull permits, schedule inspections, and handle any required corrections. You shouldn't have to manage that relationship yourself.

How We Run a New Construction Project

  1. 01

    1. Pre-Construction Planning

    Site evaluation, plan review, permit applications, and budget confirmation before any ground is broken. We don't start digging until the plan is solid.

  2. 02

    2. Construction and Trade Coordination

    Foundation through exterior shell through mechanical rough-in through interior finish. Scotty Woodhouse manages the sequence so trades don't step on each other and inspections get scheduled on time.

  3. 03

    3. Punch List and Walkthrough

    We walk the finished build with you before we call it done. Every item on the list gets resolved before you're handed the keys.

Who We Build For

Lot Owners, Relocating Families, and Developers

Most of our new construction clients fall into one of three groups. Some own a lot in Cumberland, Gorham, or Westbrook and have been sitting on it, waiting for the right contractor. Some are relocating to southern Maine and want a home built to their spec rather than buying whatever's available. And some are small developers who need a contractor who can manage a full build without being babysat every week. We don't take on more projects than we can manage with the attention each one requires. If you're on a tight timeline and need a builder who'll actually be reachable, that matters.
Home renovations

Our Scope

From New Build to Full Renovation, One Contractor

Not every project starts from bare ground. Some of the best work we do begins with a structure that needs a complete gut and expansion, which is closer to new construction than a standard home renovation. If you're unsure whether your project qualifies as a full home remodel or a true new build, call us and describe what you have. We'll tell you which approach makes more sense for your situation and your budget. We also handle additions when a homeowner needs more square footage without the cost and disruption of starting over.
Home renovations

Why homeowners choose us

What We Commit to on Every Project

Why Scotty Woodhouse manages every new build personally.

A new build is the largest single investment most homeowners make. It deserves a contractor who's accountable by name.

  1. One point of contact from permit to walkthrough

    Scotty Woodhouse manages the project, not a rotating crew of subs you've never met.

  2. Schedule and budget tracked through every phase

    We build a project schedule before we start and hold to it. Changes get flagged before they hit the invoice.

  3. Permit compliance from day one

    We pull the permits, schedule inspections, and close them out. No shortcuts that come back as a title problem later.

  4. Available when you need an answer

    We don't disappear between phases. Call or text and you'll hear back the same day.

Talk to the builder (207) 544-3126

Questions About Building New in Maine

Is it cheaper to build a house or buy new construction in Maine?
In most cases, buying an existing new-construction home is less expensive per square foot than building custom, because the builder has already absorbed design and permitting costs across multiple identical units. Custom building costs more because every decision is made once, for your lot and your plan. What you get in return is control over layout, materials, and finish level that you can't negotiate with a production builder. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on your priorities and your lot situation.
How long does it take to build a house in Maine from permit to move-in?
For a single-family home in Greater Cumberland County, plan for 10 to 14 months from permit application to final inspection in a typical construction environment. Complex sites, custom structural work, or supply chain delays on specific materials can push that timeline out. Permitting timelines vary by municipality. Some towns process in four to six weeks; others take longer. We account for local permitting pace when we build your project schedule.
What site conditions affect the cost of new construction in Maine?
Maine's geology varies considerably. Ledge near the surface requires blasting or redesigned foundations, which adds significant cost. High water tables affect foundation type selection and drainage systems. Sloped lots require engineered fill or retaining work. Sites that aren't served by municipal sewer need a septic system designed and permitted separately. Every one of these conditions has a real cost impact, which is why no honest contractor can quote a new build without walking the site first.
Do you build on lots provided by the owner, or only on land you source?
We build on owner-supplied lots throughout our service area. If you already own land in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, or anywhere else we serve, we'll evaluate the site and build your plan on it. We don't require you to buy land through us. If you haven't purchased a lot yet, we can advise on what to look for in terms of buildability, setbacks, and utility access before you commit to a purchase.
What's the difference between a general contractor and a construction manager on a new build?
A general contractor holds the prime contract and takes responsibility for delivering the completed building. A construction manager is typically a consulting role, advising the owner while the owner holds contracts with individual trades. Woodhouse Builders LLC operates as the general contractor: we hold the permits, manage the subcontractors, and deliver the finished home. You don't manage trade relationships or negotiate subcontractor scope. That's our job.
Do you handle the design and plans, or does the homeowner need to supply them?
We work from plans. If you have architectural drawings, we work from those. If you don't, you'll need to work with an architect or designer before we can produce an accurate estimate. We can refer you to professionals we've worked with in the Greater Cumberland County area, but we don't produce architectural drawings in-house. Having completed plans before you approach a contractor produces far more accurate bids and fewer scope disputes during construction.

Where We Build in Southern Maine

Woodhouse Builders LLC takes on new construction projects throughout Greater Cumberland County and the surrounding region. If your lot is outside the list below, call and we'll confirm whether it's within our range.

Ready to Talk Through Your New Build?

Scotty Woodhouse takes your call directly. Describe the lot, describe the plan, and we'll tell you honestly what the project involves.

Call now (207) 544-3126 Call Scotty Now

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