general contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME: illustrative scene, A newly built two-story Colonial house with gray siding and a dark roof, viewed from the front and side, surrounded by a lawn and trees

Reliable General Contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME

Legacy Construction is the general contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME for renovations where the finish standard is high and the ocean is close enough to matter. We put the whole job on one fixed-price contract, then run every trade through to the final walkthrough.

Joe Hausler wearing a brown jacket and holding a white Legacy Construction hard hat
  • Founded in 2021
  • 4-6 active builds at a time
  • Written 5-year workmanship warranty

A general contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME manages a renovation or addition from drawings through final walkthrough, coordinating every trade under one contract. Most Cape Elizabeth homes are mid-century and newer houses on large lots, and the oceanfront along Shore Road and Two Lights takes the full force of salt and wind.

Legacy Construction builds additions here at about $367 per square foot on average, with upper-tier finish reaching $403 to $461+, and full-gut kitchens at $50,000 to $82,000+. Each price is fixed in writing before demolition starts.

Owner Joe Hausler brings 15 years of commercial project management to each Cape Elizabeth job and signs off every phase himself. A 5-year workmanship warranty backs the finished work.

Why Cape Elizabeth Residents Hire Us for Their Renovation

  • Whole-house renovations and additions under one contract
  • A 5-year workmanship warranty in writing
  • $2,000,000 general liability and workers' compensation

Cape Elizabeth residents hire us for their renovations because we price the finish schedule in full before work begins, so a custom kitchen or primary bath never turns into an open tab. Joe Hausler ran commercial projects for 15 years, and he manages a house on Shore Road with the same paperwork discipline.

  • Exterior materials and fasteners specified for open-ocean salt along Shore Road and Two Lights
  • A fixed contract built on complete drawings and a written finish schedule
  • Joe walking your Cape Elizabeth house several days a week, plus a written weekly summary
  • 5-YearWorkmanship warranty, in writing
  • 4-6Active builds at a time, never more
  • $300MLargest project Joe has managed

What do homeowners say about us?

What stood out most about Legacy Construction was how easy they made the process. They explained everything clearly, kept us updated regularly, and delivered exactly what they promised. This is not a bargain contractor, but the quality is absolutely worth it.

Kellie M., Freeport, ME

We appreciated how collaborative Legacy Construction was throughout our project. They listened to our ideas, offered practical solutions, and kept everything on track. The finished work is beautiful and built to last.

Richard W., South Portland, ME

If you're looking for a contractor who is honest, detail-oriented, and dependable, Legacy Construction is a great choice. They were clear about costs and timelines and delivered a high-quality finished product.

Mark B., Old Orchard Beach, ME

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Answer a few quick questions about your Cape Elizabeth project. Your answers go to Legacy Construction so we can discuss the scope, budget and next steps with you.

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Which areas are part of the renovation? (select all)
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Are walls, plumbing or windows moving?
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$60,000
$15,000$750,000+
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Which Towns Around Cape Elizabeth Do We Serve?

Where is our office?

Directions from Cape Elizabeth, ME to our office in Portland

185 Ridge Rd
Portland, ME 04103

What Should a Cape Elizabeth Renovation Plan For?

A Cape Elizabeth renovation should plan for two forces an inland job rarely weighs: open-ocean exposure and mid-century floor plans that no longer fit how owners live. Large lots and strict zoning mean most owners here improve the house they have, so the renovation has to carry the weight a new build would elsewhere.

Illustration: A newly built gray farmhouse with a dark roof and white trim, surrounded by trees and a grassy, dirt area

Single-Room Remodels vs. Whole-House Renovations in Cape Elizabeth

On a mid-century Cape Elizabeth house, a whole-house renovation usually beats a string of single-room jobs. Windows, insulation, heating and the floor plan all interact, and redoing them in one sequence costs less than reopening finished rooms three years apart.

A single-room remodel is still the right call when the shell is sound and one space has simply aged out, such as a dated primary bath. We will tell you plainly which of the two your house needs after the first walkthrough.

Illustration: Three adults, a man and two women, stand around a table in a finished living room, looking at architectural drawings

Kitchen Layout and Design Options for Cape Elizabeth Homes

Mid-century kitchens here were often closed rooms, and owners now want them open to dining and the view. Opening that wall is worth doing when an engineered beam carries the load cleanly, ideally flush with the ceiling so the room reads as one space.

An island makes sense once the wall is gone and the walkway around it can stay generous. If the room cannot give an island room to breathe, a peninsula usually works better, and we would rather say so at the drawing stage than after the cabinets arrive.

Illustration: A bright, modern bathroom with a double vanity, large window, and glass shower enclosure

Walk-In Showers and Custom Shower Remodels in Cape Elizabeth

A walk-in shower with a low or flush entry is the upgrade we recommend most for a primary bath here, because it ages well and suits a long-term house. The waterproofing under the tile matters far more than the tile itself, so we build that layer to be tested before any finish goes on.

Coastal air keeps bathrooms damp, so ventilation sized for the room is part of every shower we build. The National Kitchen and Bath Association publishes design guidance worth reading as you choose a layout.

What General Contracting Services Do We Offer?

General contracting services for Cape Elizabeth owners cover every trade, permit and inspection on one schedule, run by one accountable company.

  • Multi-trade renovation execution across occupied, finished homes
  • Structural changes and additions to mid-century houses
  • Scheduling across trades, with finish selections locked before they are needed

Most delays on a high-end renovation come from a fixture or tile decision made too late. We lock those choices into the finish schedule early, so the trades never wait on a selection.

What Is Our General Contracting Process in Cape Elizabeth?

  1. Measure the house you have.

    Joe walks the house, notes the exposure and the structure, and we spend four to six weeks on drawings and a written finish schedule for a fixed price.

  2. Permit it and build it.

    We submit to the Town of Cape Elizabeth code office, then Joe reviews each phase before the next trade arrives and sends a weekly written update.

  3. Hand it back finished.

    We walk each finished room with you, agree how outstanding items will be handled and provide the written 5-year warranty.

Illustration: Three people, a man in a blue jacket and a couple, are gathered around a table in a bright, finished room, looking at blueprints. The room has light wood floors, white walls, gray cabinetry, and large windows overlooking a forest

How to Vet a General Contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME

Vet a general contractor in Cape Elizabeth, ME by asking how they detail an exterior that faces open ocean. A contractor who specifies the same fasteners and trim for Shore Road that they use in an inland subdivision will be back, at your expense, within a few winters.

No state license exists for general contractors in Maine, so ask for insurance certificates and look at finished work instead. Our liability coverage is $2,000,000, and we hand over the certificate with the proposal.

Then ask how many jobs the contractor runs at once and who stands in your house each week. Our answer is four to six active jobs, with the owner on site at each one several times a week.

Illustration: Three people, a builder and two homeowners, review floor plans on an oak table in a finished living room with gray cabinets and oak floors
Cape Elizabeth, MECumberland County

Who, Where and When for a Cape Elizabeth Remodel

The owners who hire a general contractor in Cape Elizabeth are mostly people improving a mid-century or newer house on a large lot instead of moving. Many want a finish level that calls for one manager tracking dozens of selections.

How much does a renovation cost in Cape Elizabeth?

A renovation in Cape Elizabeth costs what its scope and its exposure demand, with finish level as the largest lever. Every range below reflects an average across many completed jobs, meant to help you place your budget rather than to stand in for a quote.

ProjectTypical scopeCape Elizabeth range*
Kitchen, cosmeticNew surfaces, existing layout$15,000 to $24,000
Kitchen, mid-rangeCabinets, counters, lighting$24,000 to $44,000
Kitchen, full gutWall removal, new layout and systems$50,000 to $82,000+
Bathroom, upper mid-rangePer bath, glass and tile shower$22,000 to $24,000
Bathroom, full gutPer bath, extensive tile work$27,500 to $38,500
AdditionPer sq ft of new living area, turnkeyabout $367 average

Oceanfront detailing can move any Cape Elizabeth project higher. Additions here begin near $325 a square foot, with $403 to $461+ for upper-tier finish.

How much does an addition on the water cost in Cape Elizabeth?

An addition on the water in Cape Elizabeth usually costs $403 to $461 or more per square foot, because oceanfront work tends to call for upper-tier finish. Away from the shore, the town's average sits near $367, with a floor around $325.

What does a bathroom with a walk-in shower cost?

A bathroom built around a custom walk-in shower usually falls in the $27,500 to $38,500 band, because extensive tile and waterproofing drive the labor. A simpler glass-and-tile shower can fit the $22,000 to $24,000 tier.

Why do oceanfront renovations cost more?

Oceanfront renovations cost more because salt and wind call for better fasteners, sealed trim and windows rated for the exposure. On additions, a flood-zone foundation can add cost before the framing even starts.

Illustration: A newly built gray saltbox house with white trim and a dark roof, set against a backdrop of green grass, a gravel driveway, and tall trees

What Happens When You Call Us About Cape Elizabeth?

When you call us about Cape Elizabeth, we ask what you want to change in the house and set a time for Joe to walk it with you. That visit starts the scope and budget conversation and identifies any structural or site questions to resolve before the drawings and fixed price are complete.