Carl A. Nelson & Company – Delivering Value and Building Trust Since 1913 | Design‑Build, Construction Management & General Contracting for Clients Like You in Iowa, the Midwest, and Beyond | Serving Industrial, Healthcare, Education & Recreation Clients
You need more than a builder — you need a partner who’s there long after ribbon-cutting.
Carl A. Nelson & Company delivers construction solutions that protect your schedule, budget, and operations — from first planning to future expansions.
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 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.
Start the conversation. We’ll show you what it means to deliver value and build trust.
“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
“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
“They're trusted in this community. They're committed to this community. And they're valued. There's a good reason why they're chosen for those projects.”
Tiffany Finch, Director
Cambridge Little Achievers
Read more about Cambridge Little Achievers
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.
Repeat CANCO client previews latest project
Western Smokehouse Partners hosted client, community leaders, future employees at event to show off soon-to-open new Missouri meat snack stick plant.
Title change reflects goals for Nelson Plant Services
Now as manager, the longtime superintendent of Carl A. Nelson & Company's industrial maintenance division sees expanded role in growing the business.
Soon-to-be-Northern Iowa grad set for full-time CANCO role
With internships and part-time work, Hailey Nie will transition to full-time with two years of Carl A. Nelson & Company experience already on her resume.
Nelson Design, Inc., grows with addition of designer
Following graduation from Iowa State University in architecture, Kendra Schulz has joined Carl A. Nelson & Company's in-house architectural design firm.
Journeyman electrician joins CANCO team as superintendent
Doug Kopsieker was being recruited by a pair of construction firms. Reaching out to Carl A. Nelson & Company for career advice led to a job offer instead.
CANCO's Wilson celebrated by SEIBA Board
Carl A. Nelson & Company Assistant to the President Karen Wilson was recognized for her many years of service to the Southeast Iowa Builders Association.
Deliver value. Build trust. Repeat.
Thank you for visiting our website. It's here 24/7 to help you explore the value of choosing Carl A. Nelson & Company for your next construction project.
If you’re ready to experience our pledge to Fairness & Honesty, Quality Workmanship, and Service Second to None, let’s schedule a call and talk about your needs.
Design-Build, Construction Management and General Contractor | Offices in Burlington and Cedar Falls, Iowa