Carl A. Nelson & Company — Construction Solutions for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Owners
Our clients come to us because they want fewer surprises and better outcomes.
To achieve that, they need more than a builder — they need a partner who listens, leads, and stays engaged throughout planning, construction, and future projects, protecting schedule, budget, and operations at every phase.
Carl A. Nelson & Company is that partner, delivering Design-Build, Construction Management, and General Contracting projects for Industrial, Commercial, and Public owners.
Key Markets Include:
The team of engineers and construction managers, field supervisors and construction craftsmen at Carl A. Nelson & Company has extensive experience in numerous construction markets, and today serves the design-build construction, construction management and general contracting needs of clients in a range of market sectors. To learn more about the work we do, and to see project examples from our portfolio, choose one of the options below:
- Industrial — Construction that works with your process.
- Education — Spaces that support learning and growth.
- Healthcare — Designed to support care delivery and healing.
- Recreation — Where communities move, gather, and grow.
- Commercial & Office — Workplaces tailored to your operations.
- Laboratory Facilities — Precision-built spaces for technical work.
- Community & Public — Facilities that reflect and serve your mission.
- Warehouses & Distribution — Built for flow, storage, and speed.
- Energy Systems & Utilities — Infrastructure that keeps you running.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment — Treatment facilities built to spec.
- Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings — Efficient structures, custom-fit to your needs.
The CANCO team works hard to earn your business — and even harder to keep it. Here's how:
Deliver Value. Build Trust. Repeat.
Value means solving problems before they become setbacks.
We create value by focusing on the details: accuracy, timeliness, consistency—everything that prevents surprises, protects your budget, and keeps projects on track.
Trust is built by delivering you real results.
Each time we meet—or exceed—expectations, your confidence in us grows. And that trust doesn’t just strengthen relationships—it drives better project outcomes.
Trust empowers action.
When we’ve earned your trust, we can plan better, act faster, and resolve issues before they escalate. That’s when value multiplies—and that’s why clients come back.
Ready to build with confidence? Let's talk.
“In this business, trust isn’t something you get once and keep forever — it’s something you earn every day. Showing up for our clients with fairness, honesty, quality work and service second to none is how Carl A. Nelson & Company earned its reputation, and how we maintain it today.”
Chris Smith, President
27 years with Carl A. Nelson & Company
100+ years of service across Iowa, the Midwest, and the United States.
Trusted again and again in every market we serve.
Iowa-bred commitment to quality, safety and your success.
More About CANCO
In business since 1913, Carl A. Nelson & Company — call us CANCO — is a design-build, construction management, and general contracting firm. Founded and still operating in Burlington, Iowa, with an additional office in Cedar Falls, our teams work as one to serve the needs of clients across the region and beyond. Learn what sets us apart, where we work, and why more than 80% of our business comes from repeat or referred clients by visiting the About Us section of the website.
Our Story | Safety First | Where We Work | Leadership Team
“Carl A. Nelson would be a group I would recommend to any superintendent around the state. ... They've provided an amazing service for us ...”
Robert Scott, Superintendent
Burlington Community School District
Read more about Burlington Community School District's project
“We could tell what kind of great partners they were going to be. ... After we met them, we decided we were going to run as fast as possible to Carl A. Nelson.”
Matt Bormann, CEO
Western Smokehouse Partners
Read more about Western Smokehouse Partners
Our Services: From Planning to Punchlist, and Beyond
Carl A. Nelson Company is capable of delivering a full range of services to clients, including multiple project procurement options, as well as needs assessment and master planning, pre-construction, design, self-performed construction and maintenance. Choose an option from the list below to learn more:
• Design-Build
• Construction Management
• General Contracting
Additional ways we can meet your project needs:
• Needs Assessment & Master Planning
• Pre-Construction Services
• Code Study, BIM & Design-Assist
• Self-Performed Construction
• Routine Plant Maintenance
Four steps to project success:
Project Planning
Feasibility, budgeting, delivery strategy — guiding you before design begins (we offer design services, too).
Pre-Construction
Scope alignment, constructability, and cost/schedule certainty.
Construction
Safe, high-quality and schedule-driven execution with CANCO supervisors on-site, with our own skilled crews available to do the work.
Closeout + Client Support
Smooth turnover, documentation, commissioning, and readiness to serve your future needs.
CANCO News
Click below for some recent headlines. Discover more in our CANCO News section.
Carl A. Nelson & Company begins 113th year in business
Founded in 1913 in Burlington, Iowa, CANCO is a leader in Design-Build, Construction Management, General Contracting construction and design services for clients across the Midwest and around the United States.
Fire Station project to start Summer 2026
Carl A. Nelson & Company awarded contract for construction management of new satellite fire station.
Harris named CANCO 2025 Office Employee of the Year
Third-generation Carl A. Nelson & Company employee Ryan Harris joined the firm in 1995.
Field Leadership Award presented to longtime foreman
Mike Gates is the recipient of Carl A. Nelson & Company award recognizing contributions to quality and safety leadership.
Ceremony marks completion of public health and EMS facility
Carl A. Nelson & Company was construction manager for the $6M, 12,000 SF Lee County, Iowa, project.
Long-time accountant joins CANCO as finance director
Dan Schroeder brings almost 30 years in the profession to his new role with Carl A. Nelson & Company
If you’re ready to experience our commitment to Fairness & Honesty, Quality Workmanship, and Service Second to None, we’d welcome the opportunity to talk.