Custom Home Builder in Southern Maryland
At Shady Lane Construction, our design-build team offers the very best in custom home design, outstanding craftsmanship, and high-quality service. Over the years, our core values have stood the test of time as our reputation was built on bringing our clients' visions of home to life.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationFrom concept to completion, every detail built with intention
Building a custom home is one of the most personal and significant investments you will make. At Shady Lane Construction, we take that responsibility seriously.
As a family-owned design-build contractor rooted in Leonardtown, Maryland, we guide our clients through every stage of the custom homebuilding process with clear planning, honest communication, and a commitment to doing things right the first time. We have helped families create bespoke homes throughout the Southern Maryland region that feel thoughtfully designed, beautifully built, and uniquely their own.
Whether you are planning a waterfront retreat on the Chesapeake Bay, a working farmhouse on acreage, or a refined custom residence, our process begins with understanding how you live, what you value, and how you envision using the property for years to come.
Our team manages the entire process, including design, site planning, permitting, septic and well approvals, Critical Area requirements, and construction. We also plan beyond the home itself, considering future pools, barns, garages, pastures, and outdoor living spaces from the beginning so the entire property works together.
The result is more than a custom home. It is a home designed around your life, built for your land, and delivered through a process grounded in trust.
Design-Build Under One Roof
Site planning, drafting, construction, and warranty support live with one accountable team, so nothing falls through the gap between architect and builder.
Built for the Chesapeake Region
We design for Southern Maryland realities: waterfront setbacks, Critical Area rules, wetland restrictions, complex septic systems, local soils, and materials chosen to stand up to the Southern Maryland environment.
Transparent Budgets & Timelines
You receive an itemized budget and a realistic schedule before we break ground, plus consistent updates and regular site visits as your home takes shape.
A Portfolio of Custom Homes
A selection of custom homes we have built across St. Mary's County and Southern Maryland. Click any photo to explore the full project on our portfolio page.
Bayview Farmhouse
Custom Farmhouse · Southern Maryland
A modern farmhouse oriented to make the most of its water views: warm, durable, and built for everyday living along the Bay.
French Countryside Custom
Custom Home · Southern Maryland
A multi-generational home with European-inspired proportions, built with an accessory dwelling so the whole family has a place of their own.
Julia's Knoll Farmhouse
Custom Farmhouse · Southern Maryland
A hilltop farmhouse that sits naturally on its land, pairing classic farmhouse lines with the comforts of a modern custom build.
Medley Farmhouse Custom
Custom Farmhouse · Southern Maryland
A family home built around gathering spaces: generous porches, an open kitchen, and craftsmanship in every detail.
Mount Chance Farmhouse
Custom Farmhouse · Southern Maryland
A rural farmhouse retreat designed for quiet and longevity, with finishes selected to stand up to country living.
Timber River Custom
Custom Home · Southern Maryland
A riverside custom home where natural timber and large openings draw the surrounding landscape inside.
Waverly Gardens Custom
Custom Home · Southern Maryland
A refined custom residence with garden-facing living spaces, balancing elegant detailing with comfortable, livable rooms.
Oak Hill Farmhouse
Custom Farmhouse · Southern Maryland
A classic farmhouse that glows at golden hour, with a bright, hardworking kitchen at the center of daily life.
St. Jerome's Neck Custom
Custom Home · St. Mary's County, MD
A custom home shaped around its peninsula setting, with rich cabinetry and finishes selected for coastal living.
Shanty Point Guest House
Custom Guest House · St. Mary's County, MD
A full-scale guest house with the comfort and finish level of a primary residence, built for waterfront hosting.
Prospect Hill Custom
Custom Home · Southern Maryland
A craftsman-style custom home with a welcoming front porch and clean, confident lines.
Building a Custom Home in Southern Maryland
What days of the week do you operate and what is your typical availability for consultations?
Our crews are on site Monday through Friday, and consultations are scheduled by appointment between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Keeping evenings and weekends protected is part of how we run the company: family time matters to us, and we build our schedule so it can matter to our clients too.
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Southern Maryland?
Most custom homes we build in Southern Maryland start around $650K and can range past $3.5M depending on size, lot conditions, and finishes. Waterfront lots, complex grading, and material selections all influence the figure drastically. Once we have a detailed house plan and site plan, we provide an extensive, itemized budget before any work begins so there are no surprises. For real figures from recently completed projects, see the Southern Maryland Building Index.
We design and build to any budget. The figures above reflect the average cost of our most recent projects over the past two years, and pricing varies drastically from one project and site to the next. We are glad to walk through the numbers in more detail during a consultation and see what we can design and build to fit your budget.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
Across our most recently completed homes, construction runs 7 to 11 months from groundbreaking to final walkthrough. Pre-construction, including masterplanning, design, budgeting, and permits, adds 3 to 6 months before dirt moves. Real timelines from completed projects are published in our Southern Maryland Building Index.
Do you build waterfront homes?
Yes. We build waterfront and water-view homes throughout St. Mary's County and the wider Chesapeake region, accounting for shoreline setbacks, critical-area rules, and the durability demands of building near the water.
Do you build outside St. Mary's County?
St. Mary's County is our home and our focus today. As we grow, we plan to serve the surrounding counties, and we occasionally take on the right project in neighboring Charles and Calvert counties now.
How will I stay informed during my build?
Every Shady Lane Construction project runs on JobTread, a professional construction management platform. Your budget, schedule, selections, daily logs, and photos live in one place you can check any time, so updates never depend on catching someone by phone.
Can I bring my own plans or architect?
Absolutely. We work from your architect's drawings or guide you through our own design-build process from a blank page. Either way, you have one accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough.
What makes Shady Lane Construction different?
We are a family-owned builder with over twenty years of local experience. You work directly with the owners, communication stays open throughout the build, and our commitment continues through six- and twelve-month warranty reviews after you move in.
Ready to Build Your Custom Home?
Tell us about your land and your vision. We will walk you through what it takes to build in Southern Maryland and help you determine what your project might cost.
Schedule Your Free Consultation