DEDICATION TO BUILDING EXCELLENCE
Building Excellence in Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and the Verde Valley
At Lawler Construction Inc., craftsmanship and customer service are at the core of everything they do. Serving Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and the greater Verde Valley for over 40 years, this family-owned company has built a strong reputation as one of Northern Arizona’s most trusted custom home builders and general contractors.
Our founder, Jim Lawler, discovered his passion for construction at 19, learning the trade locally and developing a deep respect for quality work and lasting relationships. By 26, he was managing full-scale home builds; laying the foundation for a company built on Good Service, Good Value, and Good Quality alongside his wife, Cindy.
Today, Lawler Construction continues to deliver custom homes, renovations, and commercial projects with a focus on quality, efficiency, and personalized service. As ENERGY STAR® partners committed to sustainable building practices, Jim and his son Patrick bring modern innovation to every project, creating durable, high-performance homes designed for the Verde Valley lifestyle.
With decades of experience and a loyal base of returning clients, Lawler Construction remains a trusted name in building throughout Northern Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? You’re not alone. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from homeowners throughout the Verde Valley.
How long will it take to build my home?
Most custom homes we build in the Verde Valley take between 10 and 18 months from permit approval to certificate of occupancy. The biggest variables are scope of work, finish selection timing, and permit processing times with Yavapai County or the local municipality.
Keep in mind this is separate from Phase 1 (design and pre-construction), which typically takes 6 to 12 months on its own depending on your home’s complexity, your lot, HOA requirements, and the permitting jurisdiction.
How does your Cost Plus pricing work?
We operate on a Cost Plus contract. You are charged the actual cost of all labor, materials, and subcontractors, plus our standard margin — 11% net overhead and 5% net profit — along with applicable sales tax. Every line item in your proposal is visible and itemized. There are no inflated lump sums and nothing hidden.
What happens if I want to make a change during construction?
Changes are handled through a formal Change Order process. You will receive a written description of the change, the cost impact (credit or addition), and any schedule impact before anything is modified. No change is executed without your written approval.
Who do I call if I have a question or concern?
Your Project Coordinator is your primary point of contact for anything related to your build. During construction, your Superintendent runs the day-to-day on site and provides weekly progress updates. Our office can always connect you to the right member of your team.
What if it rains or there is bad weather?
Arizona’s monsoon season (July through September) can cause brief delays, particularly during earthwork, foundation, and framing phases. We plan our schedules with seasonal weather in mind and will communicate any weather-related delays promptly.
How do payments work?
Your payment structure has three parts. A 10% down payment is due at contract signing. From there, we invoice monthly progress payments based on the work completed as your home is built, structured to keep the project funded ahead of costs.
We also collect a $50,000 Final Payment Reserve up front. This is a buffer held throughout the project and applied toward your final payment at close-out, which keeps the project properly funded through completion.
If you are financing your build, we will follow whatever draw schedule your lender prefers.
Can I supply my own materials or fixtures?
We strongly discourage it. Experience has shown that owner-supplied materials tend to create more problems than savings for everyone involved. Items that don’t arrive on time can stall the schedule and trigger extra trip charges when trades have to return. One-time buyers also don’t receive the same priority, lead times, warranty support, or service that our trade partners get from suppliers they work with every day.
In limited cases we can accommodate an owner-supplied item, but it must be approved in advance, and we cannot warranty it the way we warranty materials we provide.
Do you have an in-house designer to help with selections?
Yes. Our in-house Interior Designer guides you through all of your finish selections — cabinets, flooring, tile, fixtures, and more — schedules your showroom visits, and makes sure your choices stay aligned with both your vision and your budget. This is something most custom home builders in the Verde Valley cannot offer.
What is included in my warranty?
Lawler Construction, Inc. provides a one-year workmanship warranty on all work we perform. Manufacturer warranties apply to equipment, appliances, and roofing materials. Your team will walk you through your specific warranty documentation at close-out.
How do I handle issues after I move in?
For warranty service requests after move-in, contact our office directly. We take warranty items seriously and will schedule a review promptly. For non-warranty repairs down the road, we are always happy to recommend trusted tradespeople in the Verde Valley.
Do you build outside the Verde Valley?
Our focus is custom homes throughout the Verde Valley — Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Cornville, Cottonwood, and Clarkdale. Our familiarity with local terrain, jurisdictions, HOAs, and trade partners is a direct advantage to every client. If you have a project just outside the area, reach out and we can discuss it.
Have a question that isn’t answered here?
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Core Values
At Lawler Construction, we believe John 3:16 reflects the foundation of our values. Faith, love, and service. Just as we are called to build with purpose, we strive to treat every client and project with the same care, integrity, and commitment that comes from knowing we are part of something greater.
Call Us Today
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re planning a custom home, a remodel, or a new development in the Verde Valley, contact us today to start building with a team you can trust.