Carl A. Nelson & Company — Construction Solutions for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Owners
Clients come to us because they want fewer surprises and better outcomes.
Early involvement from Carl A. Nelson & Company delivers on both.
The most valuable construction decisions are made before construction begins.
Scope, budget, schedule and operational priorities are easiest to align before drawings are complete. That's when experienced construction input can prevent redesign, reduce uncertainty and help owners make informed decisions:
• 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.
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
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.
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.
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
Recent Project & Company Updates
Follow recent projects, milestones and company updates from across Carl A. Nelson & Company.
Construction Begins on Burlington Fire Station No. 3
Carl A. Nelson & Company is construction manager and general contractor for Burlington Fire Station No. 3, a $6.6 million project opening in 2027.
Church launches project with groundbreaking ceremony
Carl A. Nelson & Company is design-builder for The Sanctuary of Fort Madison's new church building.
Project Update: Grayhound Performing Arts Center
Carl A. Nelson & Company is providing construction management services to the Burlington Community School District for its $7.5 million auditorium addition project.
High school agri-science center opens with ribbon-cutting
Carl A. Nelson & Company was construction manager at-risk for pre-construction, construction of new Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center at WACO High School.
Carl A. Nelson & Company achieves six-year safety milestone
Burlington, Iowa, based design-build, construction management and general contracting firm goes 2,192 days without a lost-day accident — and counting.
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.
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.