New 5-6 Intermediate School Building High School Addition & Renovations + Elementary HVAC New Secondary Athletics & Classroom Addition New 9-12 High School High School Renovations K-12 Additions & Remodeling High School Addition & Renovation Early Childhood Center High School Addition/Renovation High School Performing Arts Center K-12/Admin Additions/Renovations K-12 Additions/Remodeling Middle/High School Addition/Renovation New 5-6 Intermediate School Building High School Addition & Renovations + Elementary HVAC New Secondary Athletics & Classroom Addition New 9-12 High School High School Renovations K-12 Additions & Remodeling High School Addition & Renovation Early Childhood Center High School Addition/Renovation High School Performing Arts Center K-12/Admin Additions/Renovations K-12 Additions/Remodeling Middle/High School Addition/Renovation

Expert K-12 Construction Management & Planning Services

Educational Know-How

Over the past 30+ years, we have successfully completed numerous construction management projects for school districts across Iowa.

Project types include:

  • Needs Assessment;
  • Master Planning;
  • Bond Promotion/Pre-Bond Planning;
  • Design and Pre-Construction
  • New School Buildings;
  • Building Additions and Renovations;
  • and more.

Our extensive experience means you receive actionable plans based on verifiable data, and school facility designs, budgets and schedules that help you achieve your goals within your available resources.

Building Trust

Carl A. Nelson & Company doesn’t just build structures; we build trust and lasting relationships with our clients. We achieve this by:

    • Caring About Your Success
    • Providing Consistent Project Leadership
    • Valuing Our Partnership with You
    • Taking Time to Understand Your Needs
    • Engaging with Company Leadership
    • Putting Safety First

    Our commitment to these principles ensures that we not only build exceptional projects but also strong and enduring partnerships.

    Delivering Value

    Our task is to leave you with a finished facility that is built on-time and on-budget, and that will meet your needs for many years to come. We do this by:

    • Being Detail-Oriented
    • Providing Best-Value Solutions
    • Developing Accurate and Timely Budgets
    • Handling Construction So You Can Focus Elsewhere
    • Maintaining Stable Management

    These practices ensure that we deliver facilities that stand the test of time and exceed your expectations.

    Project Portfolio


    Ready to transform your school facilities?

    Whether you need help with needs assessment and master planning, or are ready to begin planning for construction, contact Vice President Dan Culp. Dan oversees our projects for education clients.

    Call him now at 319-754-8415 or fill out the contact form to get started!


    Carl A. Nelson & Company adds value for K-12 clients

    Our Services are the Building Blocks of your Success

    Services from Carl A. Nelson & Company to K-12 planning and construction clients include:

    • Needs assessment
    • Master Planning
    • Pre-Bond Planning
    • Design and Pre-Construction Services
    • Construction Services
    • Post-Construction Services

    Contact us to learn more about how our services can help your school system meet its goals.

    Design and Engineering focus

    Our in-house expertise in design and engineering gives our team the ability to manage all aspects of your school planning and construction project. The Carl A. Nelson & Company project management team of licensed architects, construction engineers and degreed construction managers help us add value during planning, pre-construction and construction.

    Your Partner from Concept Through Construction, and Beyond

    Carl A. Nelson & Company’s experience in needs assessment and master planning enables us to help K-12 clients to develop and complete facility projects that keep budget, schedule and constructability in mind from the very beginning. Then, you can count on our team to be there when you need us, whether it is to address questions or help with future projects.


    Superintendent gives top marks to CANCO team

    As the Sioux Center Community School District prepared to open its brand new, $42 million, 180,000 square-foot high school building, Superintendent Gary McEldowney had only good things to say about Carl A. Nelson & Company and the value the firm brought to the project in its role as construction manager.

    The superintendent also offered a complimentary critique of the Carl A. Nelson & Company construction management project team. You can watch that video here.

    BONUS: The project architect had some pretty nice things to say about our leadership, too. That video testimonial is here.


    CANCO comes through on high school renovation project

    In this brief testimonial video, Shenandoah Community School District Superintendent Dr. Kerri Nelson discusses the benefits of engaging Carl A. Nelson & Company as construction manager on a project that resulted in a multi-million dollar renovation of Shenandoah High School. Visit our YouTube channel for the full-length video, which also addresses project history and our project team.

    Read more about the project, and see a collection of before-and-after photos, in CANCO News.

    Comprehensive Solutions for K-12 School Construction

    At Carl A. Nelson & Company, we help K-12 schools prioritize objectives, optimize resources, and deliver high-quality facilities on schedule and within budget. Our transparent communication ensures stakeholder involvement and informed decision-making. Trust our proven track record to enhance learning experiences. Contact us today to discuss your school's construction needs.

    Addressing Modern Education Challenges

    We understand the challenges of technological advancements, budget constraints, aging buildings, and securing community support. These factors influence decisions on new schools, additions, or renovations.

    Your Advocate in Construction Management

    As your partner, we advocate for you from needs assessment to project closeout. We collaborate with owners and architects to meet schedules and spatial requirements, providing value engineering to save money and time.

    Supporting Local Economies and Ensuring Quality

    We encourage local contractor participation to support your economy and ensure the best results. CANCO has a history of delivering quality school projects by crafting and promoting bid packages that are attractive to local builders.

    Maximizing Your Community's Investment

    With extensive experience, we guide contractors and influence designers to ensure the best return on your community's investment in school infrastructure. Let us help create the optimal learning environment for your students.

    <b>Click the cover to view our library of wibi newsletters in education.</b>
    Click the cover to view our library of wibi newsletters in education.

    Not just a newsletter, but a philosphy

    The Education edition of our wibi newsletter includes project information, advice for school districts about ways to obtain value from pre-construction and more.

    The newsletter also is the embodiment of our philosophy about customer service and quality assurance, which is represented in the title: Would I Buy It?

    <br>

    Our K-12 Brochure

    Click the cover to learn more about our services and experience.