Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
How much does a full re-side cost in Maple Plain?
What warranty do I get?
What happens at the first appointment?
Do you work on homes with lead paint?
Do I need a permit for siding work?
Most full re-sides on a single-family home in Maple Plain take five to eight working days once materials arrive. Tear-off of old siding adds one to two days if the existing cladding is wood. Weather delays can push the schedule, and our project manager will communicate any changes the same day.
We provide a workmanship warranty on our labor, and the manufacturer's product warranty covers the material. Fiber cement products typically carry a 30-year non-prorated warranty, while vinyl varies by brand from 25 years to lifetime. We walk through warranty details at the estimate appointment so you know exactly what is covered.
Yes. The city of Maple Plain requires a building permit for a full re-side. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and handle the paperwork. You do not need to visit city hall.
One of our project managers visits your home, measures the exterior, inspects the existing siding condition, and discusses your material preferences. We take photos and notes, then deliver a written estimate within a few business days. There is no charge and no obligation.
How long does a siding project take?
For a standard rambler or split-level, our written estimates for vinyl typically fall between $8,000 and $13,000, and fiber cement runs $15,000 to $24,000. The exact number depends on wall area, trim details, and whether we need to address sheathing or moisture damage underneath. Your written estimate will confirm the price before any work begins.
Custom Home Builder in Lake Elmo, MN: What NorBrook Construction Does for You
We are NorBrook Construction, a custom home builder serving Lake Elmo, MN, and we design and build homes from the ground up on everything from half-acre village lots to 10-plus-acre rural parcels. Licensed under Minnesota residential building contractor license BC80875 and based in Maple Plain, we work with families, couples, and individuals who want a home built around how they actually live rather than a production floorplan someone else drew up. Our crews handle the full scope: site evaluation, architectural coordination, foundation and framing, mechanicals, exterior finishes, and interior buildout. Lake Elmo homeowners come to us because they want a single point of accountability from permit to punch list, and that is exactly what we provide.
INDEX
Credentials
Licensed & Insured MN Contractor
- Licensed Minnesota building contractor
- Fully insured, permits pulled per project
- Owner-led from estimate to walkthrough
- Written warranty on workmanship
Talk to Us
Free Estimate
Call 763-237-5114 or request an estimate and our office will respond within one business day.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Cities We Serve in the West Metro
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
We work throughout the following communities. [CONFIRM final list]
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
Acreage Estates in a Preservation-Minded City
Lake Elmo is not your typical east-metro suburb. Roughly two-thirds of the city sits inside its rural residential district, where minimum lot sizes run from 2.5 to 10 acres and the comprehensive plan is explicitly designed to protect open space, wetlands, and agricultural character. That means building a custom home here involves a different set of challenges than you would face in Woodbury or Cottage Grove.
Our crews start every acreage project with a thorough site walk. We are checking soil borings, existing drainage patterns, septic suitability, and setback distances from wetland delineation boundaries. Lake Elmo enforces Washington County's individual sewage treatment system (ISTS) requirements strictly, and an undersized or poorly sited drainfield can delay your build by months. We coordinate the soil scientist and the county review before we finalize the house footprint, not after.
The terrain here is rolling glacial till with pockets of heavy clay, which affects both foundation design and grading plans. We typically specify engineered backfill and oversized footings on these parcels, and we build with ICF or poured concrete walls rated for the lateral soil pressures Lake Elmo's clay soils produce. Homes on these larger lots also face greater wind exposure, so our framing details include hurricane ties and upgraded sheathing fastener schedules even where code does not demand them. The median sale price in Lake Elmo reached as high as $829,950 in August 2026, and buyers spending at that level expect a home engineered for the specific ground it sits on.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Homeowners and property managers across the west metro hire NorBrook for the full range of residential and commercial work. Each service is delivered by the same owner-led team.
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
Our Services in the West Metro
New Village Neighborhoods
Lake Elmo's growth is not all rural estates. The city has been approving planned-unit developments on its eastern and southern edges at a steady clip. One developer recently plotted Lake Elmo's largest residential project to date, and the city's own development projects page tracks several active neighborhoods moving through review. These village neighborhoods typically feature lots between a quarter acre and one acre, with municipal sewer and water connections, association covenants, and architectural review boards that dictate exterior materials, roof pitch minimums, and garage placement.
We build in these communities regularly, and the process is different from acreage work in almost every way. Timelines are compressed because utilities are already stubbed in, but the design constraints are tighter. We sit down with the homeowner and the association's design standards simultaneously so there are no surprises at the review stage. Our project managers pull city permits early and schedule inspections on a rolling basis to keep the build moving through Lake Elmo's inspection queue, which can back up during peak building season from May through September.
The floor plans that sell well in these neighborhoods tend toward open-concept main levels with flexible bonus rooms that can serve as offices, guest suites, or hobby spaces. We push clients to think about how they will use the home five years from now, not just move-in day. That conversation shapes everything from mechanical rough-in locations to window placement.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Cities We Serve in the West Metro
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
We work throughout the following communities. [CONFIRM final list]
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
Why Homeowners Hire NorBrook Construction
People ask what sets us apart, and we prefer to answer with verifiable facts rather than marketing language.
- We hold Minnesota residential building contractor license BC80875, which you can confirm through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry license lookup.
- We carry EPA lead-safe certification LFC-281, required for any renovation work on homes built before 1978. Lake Elmo has older farmsteads and mid-century homes where this matters.
- Co-founder Seth Norling holds OSHA 30 certification, which means our job sites follow a safety standard well above the minimum. Every subcontractor working under us gets a safety orientation before they touch a tool.
- NorBrook was founded by brothers Robb and Seth Norling along with Charlie Brookins. We are based in Maple Plain and serve the greater Twin Cities metro, with Lake Elmo as one of our most active markets.
- Every NorBrook project gets a dedicated project manager who provides daily or weekly updates depending on the phase of construction. You will never wonder what happened on your job site today.
If you want to talk specifics, call us at 763-237-5114.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Homeowners and property managers across the west metro hire NorBrook for the full range of residential and commercial work. Each service is delivered by the same owner-led team.
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
Our Services in the West Metro
We provide a workmanship warranty on our labor, and the manufacturer's product warranty covers the material. Fiber cement products typically carry a 30-year non-prorated warranty, while vinyl varies by brand from 25 years to lifetime. We walk through warranty details at the estimate appointment so you know exactly what is covered.
What warranty do I get?
What happens at the first appointment?
Your Options Compared, and What We Recommend
Choosing a construction approach for a Lake Elmo custom home involves real trade-offs in cost, timeline, and long-term performance. Here is how the main options stack up:
| Approach | Typical Cost per Sq Ft | Build Timeline | Design Flexibility | Energy Performance | NorBrook Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stick-built (standard framing) | $200-$325 | 8-14 months | High | Good with proper insulation | Our default for most projects: proven, flexible, and cost-effective |
| ICF (insulated concrete forms) | $250-$375 | 9-15 months | Moderate | Excellent | We recommend ICF for exposed acreage sites where wind load and energy loss are concerns |
| Timber frame / post-and-beam | $300-$450 | 10-16 months | Moderate to high | Varies widely | Best for clients who want an architectural statement; pair with SIP panels for performance |
| Modular / panelized | $175-$275 | 5-9 months | Limited | Good | Faster delivery, but Lake Elmo's covenants and terrain often limit modular placement |
or most Lake Elmo builds, we start with conventional stick framing because it gives us the most control over site-specific details: custom foundation heights for rolling lots, flexible mechanical routing, and the ability to adjust on the fly when soil conditions surprise us. That said, we have built several ICF homes on exposed parcels north of Highway 5 where the luxury home market in Minnesota demands both performance and longevity, and the extra cost per square foot pays for itself in heating savings within a decade.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Cities We Serve in the West Metro
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
We work throughout the following communities. [CONFIRM final list]
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
As a family-owned contractor, we know these neighborhoods: the lake homes around Minnetonka and Orono, the newer developments in Corcoran and Medina, and the established streets of Wayzata and Excelsior. That local knowledge shapes how we plan a project, from lot conditions and municipal review to the material choices that hold up in this climate.
Common Questions Before Hiring NorBrook in Lake Elmo, MN
How much does a custom home cost in Lake Elmo?
Most of our Lake Elmo projects fall between $550,000 and $1.5 million for the structure itself, not including land. The final number depends on square footage, site conditions, and finish selections. We provide a written estimate after the design phase that locks in scope and pricing.
How long does a custom home build take?
A typical custom home in Lake Elmo takes 10 to 14 months from permit approval to move-in. Acreage builds with septic systems and long driveways tend to land on the longer end. Our project managers build detailed schedules and flag any delays the same week they arise.
What happens at the first meeting?
We start with a free consultation where we review your lot (or help you evaluate one), discuss your budget range, and talk through your design priorities. If you already have plans, we review them. If you do not, we connect you with architects we trust and work alongside them. No pressure, no obligation.
Are you licensed and insured for Lake Elmo work?
Yes. Our Minnesota contractor license BC80875 covers residential construction statewide, and we carry full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We are also EPA lead-safe certified under LFC-281 for any work involving pre-1978 structures.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
We handle every permit application and coordinate all inspections with the City of Lake Elmo. Our project managers know the city's inspection staff and scheduling rhythms, which helps avoid the bottlenecks that stall builds during busy summer months. Single-family permit activity across Minnesota has shown fluctuation recently, but Lake Elmo continues to see steady custom home starts.
Can I make changes during construction?
Change orders are a normal part of custom building. We document every change with a written scope adjustment and cost impact before any work proceeds. Our daily update system means you see progress in real time, so most change requests come early enough to avoid costly rework.
Every household is different, so we start with what you actually own and who counts on you, then build coverage around it.
Homeowners and property managers across the west metro hire NorBrook for the full range of residential and commercial work. Each service is delivered by the same owner-led team.
By: Charlie Brookins
Agent/Owner, Variant Insurance Group
Our Services in the West Metro
We provide a workmanship warranty on our labor, and the manufacturer's product warranty covers the material. Fiber cement products typically carry a 30-year non-prorated warranty, while vinyl varies by brand from 25 years to lifetime. We walk through warranty details at the estimate appointment so you know exactly what is covered.
What warranty do I get?
What happens at the first appointment?
Your Next Step with NorBrook: Request a Free Estimate
If you are planning a custom home in Lake Elmo, whether on a 5-acre parcel off Manning Avenue or a village lot in one of the newer developments, we want to hear about it. Your project gets a dedicated NorBrook project manager from day one, with updates on a cadence that works for you: daily during framing and mechanicals, weekly during finish phases.
Request a Free Estimate through our site, or call us directly at 763-237-5114. We will set up a no-cost consultation, walk your lot if you have one, and give you a realistic picture of what your build will cost and how long it will take. The best custom homes start with an honest conversation, and that is exactly where we begin.
What We Build
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Seth Norling
Vice President
I've spent more than 12 years in the construction industry, and I've built my career around one idea: a project runs best when it's planned well and managed closely. As Vice President at NorBrook Construction, I focus on project management, planning, and execution — making sure every build moves forward efficiently, stays on budget, and meets the highest standards from the first meeting to the final walkthrough.
My background is rooted in both education and hands-on experience. I'm a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Commercial Construction Management, and I've spent the years since delivering projects through strong leadership and close collaboration with clients, crews, and partners. I've learned that clear communication is what keeps a project on track and a client confident, so it's something I never leave to chance.
NorBrook is a family business, and that changes how we work. When my dad, Robb, and I take on a custom home, an exterior remodel, or a commercial build, we treat it like it's our own — because our name is on it. My goal on every project is a successful outcome for the client: work done right, delivered on time and on budget, and built to a standard we're proud to stand behind.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
Verified Google reviews from NorBrook clients across the Twin Cities metro.
What We Build
What We Build
Construction Services
Three core services, one accountable builder — custom homes, exterior remodeling, and commercial contracting, handled start to finish.
Custom Homes
From first sketch to final walkthrough, we build custom homes designed around how your family lives — with honesty, precision, and craftsmanship in every detail.
Exterior Remodeling
Roofing, siding, windows, decks, and more — we handle your home's complete exterior under one contractor, with coordinated scheduling and a single point of contact.
Commercial Construction
Office build-outs, tenant improvements, and ground-up commercial projects delivered on schedule and on budget, with clear communication from first plan to final walkthrough.
What We Build
SERVICE AREAS
Areas We Serve
NorBrook Construction proudly serves homeowners and businesses across the Twin Cities metro. Find your community below.
Maple Plain, MN
Our hometown and headquarters — we build custom homes, exterior remodels, and commercial projects for Maple Plain and the surrounding western Twin Cities.
Wayzata, MN
Custom homes, whole-home exterior remodeling, and commercial construction for Wayzata properties, delivered with owner-led oversight and craftsmanship suited to the lake community.
Minnetonka, MN
From custom builds to roofing, siding, and window replacement, we serve Minnetonka homeowners with careful scheduling and a single point of contact.
Plymouth, MN
Exterior remodeling, custom homes, and commercial contracting for Plymouth, handled start to finish with clear estimates and documented walkthroughs.
Orono, MN
Custom home building and full exterior renovations for Orono, built to a standard our owners put their names on and finished to specification.
Medina, MN
Custom homes, exterior remodeling, and commercial projects across Medina, managed directly by an owner from first estimate to final inspection.
Get Started
Request a Free Estimate
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5159 Main Street East, Suite 200
Maple Plain, MN 55359