Building From the Ground Up: Your Top Questions Answered

About GroundUp Development


Building a custom home from the ground up goes far beyond pouring foundations and framing walls—it’s about turning your vision into an enduring reality. A true forever home is intentionally designed to adapt, age gracefully, and support your family for decades.

For more than 20 years, GroundUp Development has set the benchmark for luxury home building and respectful redevelopment across Edina and Southwest Minneapolis. Delivering top-tier craftsmanship rests on two core commitments: collaborating with the Twin Cities' premier architects, subcontractors, and real estate professionals, while maintaining complete budget and schedule transparency.

From architectural concept to move-in day, our focus remains absolute: provide uncompromising quality and build lasting relationships with every client.

What is GroundUp Development, and what services do you provide?

GroundUp Development is a premier residential redevelopment and home-building company with over 20 years of experience serving Edina and Southwest Minneapolis. We specialize in creating custom "forever homes" through respectful neighborhood redevelopment, fine craftsmanship, and timeless design.

Our primary services and solutions include:

  • New Construction & Custom Builds: Designing and constructing high-end custom homes built to last a lifetime.

  • Full-Scale Remodeling & Transformations: Updating and transforming existing properties into personalized dream spaces.

  • Inventory of Available Homes: Offering move-in-ready residences, homes currently under transformation, and prime homesites in top Twin Cities neighborhoods.

  • Direct Property Buying: Purchasing homes and homesites directly from property owners—offering a stress-free, quick sale with no commissions—to preserve and reinvest in historic communities.

In collaboration with top regional partners in construction, architecture, interior design, and real estate, GroundUp Development provides an end-to-end, transparent experience from initial discovery through final move-in.

With over two decades of experience respectfully redeveloping Edina and Southwest Minneapolis, GroundUp Development creates custom forever homes tailored to your lifestyle. We partner with premier Twin Cities designers, contractors, and real estate professionals to deliver exceptional craftsmanship, unmatched transparency, and a seamless client experience.

Building a custom home from scratch isn’t your only option. Today’s homebuyers and agents often hit a wall with overpriced or uninspired listings. That’s why we also specialize in comprehensive home transformations—taking older properties with great bones in the best neighborhoods and turning them into timeless, modern residences.

Who leads GroundUp Development, and what experience and philosophy do they bring to the build?

GroundUp Development is led by Tim Murphy ("Murph"), a seasoned Twin Cities home builder, real estate investor, and licensed professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience.

Tim built GroundUp on a foundation of deep industry knowledge, client advocacy, and uncompromised trust:

  • Experience Over Quick Paychecks: Many agents rush transactions during high-pressure markets, leaving buyers stranded with hidden defects. Tim takes a long-term advisory approach, steering clients away from properties with critical liabilities.

  • Construction-First Insight: Because Tim actively builds and renovates homes, he identifies severe structural problems—such as bowing basement walls and compromised foundations—before clients commit to a purchase.

  • Lifelong Relationships: We don't view builds as one-off deals. GroundUp operates with a vetted team of contractors, architects, and lenders to protect your investment for years to come.

Speak directly with Tim Murphy about your next build or home remodel at groundup-development.com or call/text 952.223.0999.

Meet Tim Murphy, founder of GroundUp Development. Backed by 20+ years of building and real estate expertise focused on trust, transparency, and quality.

How do I get started or view GroundUp’s currently available properties?

You can explore our move-in-ready residences, upcoming construction builds, and premium home sites by visiting our Homes For Sale page.

Whether you're looking for an available custom home or want to start a custom build from the ground up, our listings provide up-to-date specs, floor plans, and pricing. Browse our current inventory at groundup-development.com/homes-for-sale or contact our team directly through the site to schedule a private walkthrough and discuss your build timeline.

Tour this fully renovated 4-bed, 3-bath home by GroundUp Development. Modern luxury meets historic character on a spacious city lot in Edina/SW Minneapolis.

Visit: https://www.groundup-development.com/5601-14th-ave

How do I connect with the team or see what homes are currently available?

Ready to take the next step toward your forever home? Complete our online inquiry form at GroundUp Development to receive an up-to-date catalog of available properties, upcoming projects, and prime homesites across Edina and Southwest Minneapolis.

For immediate questions, custom build consultations, or to speak directly with our team about a property you own, visit http://www.groundup-development.com/ or call/text us anytime at 952.223.0999.

 

What sets GroundUp Development’s process apart from other builders and developers?

GroundUp operates with a core focus on customer experience, complete transparency, and lasting quality. Rather than treating builds as one-off transactions, the team partners with leading designers, contractors, and real estate professionals who treat every project with respect for the neighborhood. GroundUp prioritizes open communication and open-book standards from day one, aiming to build long-term trust rather than cutting corners on craftsmanship.

Standard production builds focus on speed and cookie-cutter efficiency, but GroundUp Development sets a higher standard across Edina and Southwest Minneapolis through three key pillars:

Client-First Personal Attention: Exceptional builds start with your vision, not a rigid catalog. We treat your build as a collaborative partnership, tailoring every layout to match your family's exact lifestyle.

Uncompromising Construction Details: We take pride in selecting vetted trades, sourcing superior materials, and managing structural execution so every corner is built to last.

Long-Term Relationship & Support: Standard builders hand over the keys and walk away. We stand by our work, servicing and supporting your home 2, 5, or 10+ years down the road—because we build forever relationships from the ground up.

Explore our custom build process and past transformations at groundup-development.com.


What does GroundUp Development mean by a "Forever Home"?


What is a "Forever Home," and how does GroundUp Development design for it?

A Forever Home is intentionally designed to last a lifetime—a place tailored to your family that you will never outgrow or feel the need to leave. GroundUp Development pairs over two decades of local real estate and infill experience with top-tier architects, designers, and craftsmen to deliver homes built to the highest standards of quality. Every space is planned around longevity, functionality, and timeless aesthetics, prioritizing client experience and building lifelong relationships from the ground up.

What is a forever home? It’s more than square footage—it is an enduring sanctuary designed to adapt to every season of your life, from toddler steps to quiet retirements, without ever having to move again.

Yet in today’s Edina and Southwest Minneapolis market, finding that dream turnkey property often leads to heartbreak: tight inventory, ruthless bidding wars, and inflated price tags for layouts that still don't feel right.

The alternative? Don't overlook “Grandma’s house”. Beneath retro wallpaper and worn carpet lies solid framing on the perfect neighborhood street. GroundUp Development reimagines these vintage properties from the ground up, delivering modern luxury finishes, open-concept living, and your custom forever home—completely within your budget and timeline.

Explore our transformations across the Twin Cities at https://www.groundup-development.com/homes-for-sale

 

Can GroundUp remodel or rebuild the home I already live in?

Yes. GroundUp handles the entire spectrum of residential transformation. If you own an existing home in need of updating, the team works directly with you to evaluate whether a high-end comprehensive remodel (such as a "pop-the-top" second-story addition) or a complete ground-up teardown and rebuild is the right path. You can explore past transformations directly under the "Property Stories" section of the website to see how older neighborhood properties were converted into modern forever homes.


Can GroundUp help me if I don’t currently own land or a property in Edina or SW Minneapolis?


What if I don't own a property yet—can GroundUp help me find the right location?

Yes. Whether you need assistance finding the perfect location to remodel an existing home or you are looking to build brand-new, GroundUp has spent the last 20+ years navigating Edina and Southwest Minneapolis. GroundUp maintains an active private inventory of owned properties that are either primed for redevelopment or currently in the transformation phase, ready for buyers looking to step into a curated forever home.