Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 08:18 am
The San Francisco Peninsula, fondly referred to as The Peninsula by locals, is the sought-after region in the San Francisco Bay Area. With its close proximity to the city of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the area is a prime address for culture, business, and contemporary living. Home to thousands of tech startups, the Peninsula is, naturally, also home to tech executives and entrepreneurs. And The Peninsula is also home to Stanford University and billion-dollar companies Facebook and Google. And thus it’s no surprise that The Peninsula houses Atherton, the most expensive zip code in the country according to Forbes.
The Peninsula’s residential neighborhoods have abundant space for outdoor leisurely activities. Those who look for moving in or making new homes in the area will face an enviable list of options in homebuilding. Local custom home builders have an abundance of premium construction experience, fitting for the prestige of the Peninsula. In the Peninsula, Modern and Contemporary home styles are popular choices.
To come up with this list, our team gathered dozens of local custom home builders and sorted them out according to a set of criteria. We considered work history, the background of each builder, and the overall quality of each firm. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out our other article.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Aron Builders
889 San Antonio Rd., Suite #110, Los Altos, CA 94022
Aron Builders is a design-build construction company known for its turnkey construction solutions. Aron’s business operations put a priority on guaranteed fixed prices, on-time completions, the use of the latest technology, and close adherence to California Net Zero Energy Builder standards. The firm performs its services in phases. Aron handles feasibility, design, construction estimation, interior design, and construction proper.
The firm has extensive experience in various home styles. From traditional to contemporary work, Aron has displayed excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The project displayed in the photo shows a traditional home with modernized details and an interesting two-tone design of wooden and cream tones.
ASP Construction and Development
405 El Camino Real Suite #555, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Founded in 2005, ASP Construction and Development is a Silicon Valley-based residential and commercial builder. Founder and Principal Arash Saffarpour is a Civil Engineer and an industry veteran with two decades in the industry. Alongside him are two advisors, Noosh Saffarpour and Pooya Nasseri.
ASP seeks to be a leading name in design-build services by offering various types of homes including townhouses and greenhouses. The firm’s extensive experience in the area covers the Peninsula and San Francisco. From Italianate manors to Contemporary homes, ASP has a home to showcase in nearly every style. The massive home in the photo has lavish curved French windows, grandiose balconies, and other extravagant details.
Bay Area Custom Homes
611 Industrial Rd., Suite #1, San Carlos, CA 94070
Jason Skinner came from a family of builders. He grew up in an environment of men wielding tools and taking care of the land. Later on, Skinner learned carpentry and craftsmanship under the guidance of a Japanese Master Craftsman and other life-long professionals. After serving in the United States Military, Skinner brought his 25 years of home-building experience to the Bay Area.
Bay Area’s design philosophy lies in the idea of withstanding the test of time. Skinner and the team believe that good design lasts. That said, they are not afraid to try new things in each project. Tudor and Cape Cod home styles pack the Bay Area Custom Homes portfolio. The Hillsborough Tudor Estate is an example of a Tudor home in modern California. This commitment to the craft of homebuilding has catapulted Bay Area Custom Homes to the top of the local home building industry. The firm is the winner of the San Mateo County Times’ 2006 Best New Home Development award.
Bay West Builders
1500 Tacoma Way, Redwood City, CA 94063
For over 20 years, Bay West Builders has been providing consistent quality and refined craftsmanship all over Redwood City and the neighboring vicinity. Derek Gray and his team know the importance of building lasting relationships with clients. Gray understands that integrity and competence are necessary for building a network in the local community. Bay West’s construction professionals use the best materials possible. This formula has allowed Bay West to create homes that are functional and stylish.
Bay West’s portfolio of Modern, Contemporary, and Craftsman homes complements the Bay Area lifestyle. Homes in the Bay West portfolio have a sense of elegance and simplicity. Oftentimes, the firm adheres to Modern design principles of sensibility and subtlety. The featured home was built to blend in with the suburban trees. The dark motif and conservative silhouette add a mystique to the project and privacy for homeowners.
Behrens-Curry Homes
585 Taylor Way, Unit 1, San Carlos, CA 94070
Since 2001, the duo of John Behrens and Spencer Curry has been building premium quality homes on the Peninsula. Behrens has experience in tenant improvement for large commercial and retail projects, while Curry learned from a master builder. John and Spencer built a name through masterful technical design and the use of the latest building technology. Behrens-Curry performs the conceptual, pre-construction, and construction stages with the most up-to-date technology and methods.
This systematic, detailed approach has given birth to unique homes. The Oshman Residence, for instance, displays sophistication through simplicity. The residence sports tasteful monochromatic tones and the asymmetrical layout typical of Modern homes. The colors go well with the varying textures and layers on the home’s exterior. The home displays luxury with effortless grace.
Clarum Homes
412 Olive Ave. PO Box 60970, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Clarum Homes is a full-service home builder with a knack for passive homes and green building practices. A leading name in high-performance homes, Clarum places importance in skill and craftsmanship. This emphasis on quality landed the firm in the pages of various publications including Sunset Magazine, SF Chronicle, Newsweek, and Reuters.
Clarum Homes successfully built more than a thousand homes since its inception in 1994. The firm highlights green homes and high-performance projects. These homes come in a variety of styles ranging from Modern to Farmhouse. These homes also garnered ratings from LEED accreditation. Clarum’s high regard for sustainability shows in the featured project. The Contemporary home has a compact layout and shows no superfluous elements. Clarum used tasteful wood tones throughout the garage area and adjacent fencing.
Cox Bros Construction
855 El Camino Real, Suite 13-A-452 Palo Alto, CA 94301
Cox Bros Construction is a family-owned enterprise offering full-service residential construction in Palo Alto and the surrounding areas. Brothers Bill and Andy Cox founded the firm in 1989. Coming from three generations of real estate developers in Silicon Valley, the brothers understand how building from the grassroots is important. The Cox brothers manage all aspects of the project from the bidding process to completion. This management consistency gives the company the edge over its competition.
The advantages of having the same people handle every step of the construction are evident in the Cox Bros portfolio. The firm’s featured projects show strong expertise in Traditional and Ranch homes. The home featured in the photo is a stylish take on Ranch homes. Cox Bros’ eye for simplicity and uncompromising design is evident in the choice of colors, silhouettes, and other fine details of the home.
EBCON Corporation | Hughes Construction
506 Second Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063
Since 2002, EBCON Corporation | Hughes Construction has been a popular name in the local construction industry. EBCON has been featured in major publications including LUXE, Southern Roots, and GC Magazine. The firm also garnered the 2019 Regional Contractor of the Year Award and the 2020 National Contractor of the Year Award. Erik Bergstrom credits EBCON’s accomplishments to {the} team, their trade parterns, and their amazing clients. The company enlists the services of accomplished construction professionals and partners with leading architects, designers, and subcontractors to bring each project from conseptual design to a stunning, award winning masterpiece.
In turn, the firm produces homes with dashing looks and unique characteristics. The Stonegate project, for instance, displays the strengths of collaboration in homebuilding. In completing the 5,500 square-foot home, EBCON teamed up with Viotti Architects for the architecture and John Cinti for the interior design. The project has a serene, functional look that doesn’t compromise the sense of luxury and prestige. It also has a guest home and spacious outdoor areas.
GHG Builders
572 Ringwood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025
GHG is a family-operated construction firm employing full-service design services. Founded by Greg Gallo in 2007, GHG Builders quickly became a revered name in the local construction industry in Northern California. Gallo is an alumnus of Bowdoin College and UC Davis School of Law. Armed with a strong background in construction and law, he navigates permit processing and land use matters efficiently.
Greg Gallo’s love for design shows in his portfolio. In both single-family and multi-family home markets, GHG offers a wide variety of design styles. The company has an eye for polished and seamless Contemporary design, such as this luxury Mount Carmel home dubbed ‘Nevada.’ GHG elegantly used earth tones and boxy shapes to form the exterior of the home. On the inside, the Nevada has massive windows and rollable walls that promote a seamless indoor-outdoor living environment.
Greenberg Construction
904 Industrial Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94303-4914
Greenberg Construction is a home builder offering Design-Build, Custom Homes, Additions, and Remodels all over the Palo Alto – San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Greenberg Construction together with Greenberg Design Gallery acts as a one-stop-shop for construction needs. They offer conceptualizing, budgeting, designing, and building services. The firm has a knack for home energy efficiency, backed by its active participation in USGBC. Greenberg’s firm won Design and Construction services awards including “Best of the Best California Contractors” award and the “Beautiful Belmont” Award presented by the City of Belmont.
In the firm’s over 25 years of construction experience, they have completed custom homes in varying home styles. The firm is experienced in Modern, Contemporary, Craftsman, and Traditional home styles, among others. The photo displays Modern Contemporary Style home designed by the Greenberg team lead by Daniel Hruby Architects. Nestled into a wooded slope, the 2 story + basement home was designed with an open plan and indoor-outdoor living in mind. The main living space and kitchen area are open and connected to the back yard garden and forming an outdoor entertaining space with a beautiful infinity pool and spa. The second floor master suite has a cozy roof deck complete with a unique “Green Roof” views the pool and edge of the forest below.
Innovative Custom Builders
633 Quarry Rd., Unit A San Carlos, CA 94070
In 1998, Innovative Custom Builders began doing construction work in the Bay Area under the business name of Fitzpatrick & Sons General Contracting. The company began as a homage to Hans Armbrust, a German immigrant who became a business owner in the 70s. Armbrust—Opa to his family—is survived by his son-in-law Bill Fitzpatrick. After over a decade of manning the business, Bill retired and Dan Fitzpatrick took over. Dan teamed with James McGinty in modernizing the family business into what it is today. Under the leadership of the two, the firm combined long-standing traditions with contemporary methods and construction techniques.
Innovative Custom Builders is selective in taking on new clients; the firm wants to ensure project compatibility and respect the limits of their own capacity to ensure the best possible results for everyone involved. This discernment has produced a truly impressive portfolio. The 5,500 square-foot Alta Residence, for example, is an astonishing home that takes full advantage of the hill in the home layout.
Markay Johnson Construction
184 Catalpa Dr., Atherton, CA 94027
Markay Johnson is a 30-year construction company experienced in commercial, retail, and custom high-end residential construction. Personifying the mantra of building things that last forever, Johnson founded his namesake company in 2001. Markay has earned over 36 awards throughout the years of company operations.
The firm has completed about a thousand projects across 42 states. Markay’s meticulous craftsmanship and strong attention to detail are the firm’s signatures. From Mid Century townhomes to posh modern homes, Markay produces a remarkably consistent level of intricacy and carefulness. Markay’s portfolio features a rich selection of Contemporary and Modern homes. Some of these homes are built on challenging landscapes such as desserts and mountainous areas.
McMills Construction
555 Price Ave., Suite #150, Redwood City, CA 94063
McMills Construction is a consulting, budget planning, and construction expert. Since 1977, the firm has built a stellar reputation for consistently delivering the highest quality at the most competitive prices. The team is captained by the triad of Corey McMills, Ben McMills, and Chad McMills. President and Founder Corey McMills earned his Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He uses this technical expertise to bring a different perspective to homebuilding.
At a glance, homeowners will notice how bold and versatile the McMills portfolio is. This 3,500 square-foot Modern Cottage was built with the environment in mind. The design highlights the natural beauty and elegance of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The beach city aesthetic perfectly suits the home’s gorgeous location.
NorthWall Builders
664 Gilman St., Palo Alto, CA 94301
Since its inception in 1996, NorthWall Builders has believed that developing relationships with its clients is key for good business. NorthWall has made efforts to bring the in-house team, external construction professionals, and homeowners closer together through a consistent line of communication. In turn, the firm cultivated a reputation for professional and close-knit operations. The NorthWall principal team includes founders Mark Moragne and Stephen Reller along with senior partners Brad Bennigson and Wakey Mist. The team operates throughout the mid-Peninsula area.
The team has varying experience in the field: Moragne earned a Construction Engineering degree from the University of Denver, and a Construction Engineering Management degree from Oregon State University. Reller is a second-generation real estate developer. Bennigson serves as a Principal and Senior Project Manager, and Mist is a Business & Construction Management graduate of The University of Denver.
NorthWall’s portfolio testifies to the rich experience of the firm’s principals. Barbara, one of the firm’s Contemporary works, is a home adored for its practical and stylish design. The home has a pragmatic indoor-outdoor layout and minimal styling. NorthWall maximized the environment by making the home close-to-ground and using large floor-to-ceiling windows.
Owen Signature Homes
445 S San Antonio Rd., Suite #201 Los Altos, CA 94022
Owen Signature Homes is a family-operated construction company with over four decades of experience. The Owen family has a stellar reputation in the community. The company has roots in the Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, having built homes all over from Atherton to Saratoga. The Owens have built close community ties: many of its clients come from referrals from neighbors and family members.
The company believes that strong industry knowledge and an efficient support system is key when it comes to doing business. The firm’s in-house team is known for valuing thoroughness. In pursuit of doing the best work, Owen also taps local subcontractors in accomplishing certain projects.
The massive home featured speaks to the firm’s prowess in homebuilding. The sheer scale of the home is impressive, but what takes it to another level is the regard for functionality. Owen took full advantage of the hillside environment and provided a beautiful daylight basement which also provides additional access for homeowners.
Pacific Coast Builders
3207 Los Prados St., San Mateo, CA 94403
Since 1976, Joe Romeo has offered full-service residential services all over San Mateo County. Pacific Coast Builders took a dive into the industry as a remodeler, slowly honing its craft through the years. Today, Pacific Coast Builders acts as a home builder, remodeler, and home addition expert.
Pacific Coast focuses on building homes that will withstand the test of time. The company has a rich background in varying home styles from Classic to the Mediterranean. In the featured photo, you’ll find a beautiful Mediterranean estate. The home follows established design elements without compromising uniqueness. The home has the entryway, staircase, and other details of a Mediterranean home while fusing modern iterations. The estate has a grand room, terraced patio, and pool.
Pacific Peninsula Group
718 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025
Pacific Peninsula Group is an expert in luxury home construction and design. The company is famous for its thoroughness and expertise. Pacific Peninsula handles everything from design, construction, and completion. Matt Graffis, the firm’s principal, is a CPA and also holds a Masters in Construction Engineering and Management from Stanford University. He ventured into the custom home building and brokerage industry prior to the establishment of the Pacific Peninsula Group.
One glance at the company portfolio and onlookers will understand why Pacific Peninsula has been repeatedly praised by a number of publications, including Veranda Magazine, Luxury Home Quarterly, Garden Design Magazine, California Home and Design Magazine, Gentry Magazine, and Dream Home Book.
The company’s arsenal of premium homes has unmatched elegance and sophistication. Pacific Peninsula uses subtle details and inconspicuous design elements to evoke luxury. The firm tastefully matched beige stones, wood, and glass in the featured Contemporary home in Atherton.
Paragon Custom Builders
PO Box 1299, Palo Alto, CA 94302
Paragon Custom Builders is a general contracting firm founded by Jared Wilcox in Palo Alto, California that focuses on building high-end single-family residential and estate projects. Through regular communication and relentless quality control, principals Jared Wilcox and Jeremy Greenmyer look to give their clients an experience worth living in.
Paragon’s portfolio includes an array of top-notch construction projects. The firm’s exemplary work includes amazing works in Craftsman, Modern, and transitional styles. Paragon has an astonishing portfolio of thoughtfully-designed and carefully-built homes. The Modern Estate featured is a bold and sleek home that takes indoor-outdoor living to a whole new level. Large windows, daylight windows, and retractable walls are clever solutions provided by Paragon. The open floor plan is matched with subtle detailings and warm tones. As a result, the home characterizes luxury and functionality.
Paravati Construction
945 Durlston Rd., Redwood City, CA 94062
Since 1984, Mike Paravati has been known for custom home building, commercial construction, property management, and concrete construction. He brings a no-frills approach to construction which enables him to accomplish each task efficiently. Mike Paravati and his team are also noted for professionalism. Paravati primarily offers custom home building, demolition, or construction, and property management.
Paravati-built homes characterize the firm’s straightforwardness. The featured Spanish Colonial follows the conventional standards of the home style. It has a close-to-ground elevation, red-tile roofing, and half-round arches, doors, and windows.
Peninsula Custom Homes
1401 Old Country Rd., San Carlos, CA 94070
Peninsula Custom Homes is a residential contractor specializing in custom homes and estates. Since its inception in 1978, PCH has been known for its pursuit of customer satisfaction. The company assembles a handpicked team of construction professionals and whenever necessary, enlists experts in specialty fields outside the construction industry. The firm once hired an engineer to design an underground recording studio. On another project, PCH hired one of the last Georgian plastering companies from England to complete a project.
Featured in publications including Luxe, California Homes Magazine, Modern Luxury Silicon Valley Magazine, and Wall Street Journal, PCH-built homes are known for state-of-the-art features and exceptional quality. This Transitional home is one of PCH’s most notable works.
Plemons Construction
1125 Guinda St., Palo Alto, CA 94301
Founded in 1961, Plemons Construction is a construction institution in Palo Alto and surrounding communities in the Peninsula. The Plemons family has developed homes for two generations. This mom-and-pop appeal is matched with proper diligence and keen attention to detail. The firm is also known for tight customer care, fair pricing, and a committed approach to construction.
The Plemons portfolio rocks a variety of home styles reflective of its clients’ lifestyle and needs. There are Contemporary Farmhouses, Cape Cod, Spanish Colonial, and Victorian Cottage home styles in the firm’s arsenal. The featured project is a Spanish Colonial Revival home in Palo Alto. The home has a distinctive feel that nods to Palo Alto’s long California heritage. The home directly uses traditional Spanish home elements including red-tile roofing and low ground elevation. On top of that, the old wooden doors and white stucco are nice additions to the overall home design.
Silicon Valley Builders
12169 Dawn Ln., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Silicon Valley Builders was founded in 2007 but the company follows the construction principles. The firm believes in the idea that aesthetics and usability should be in balance. This belief was ushered in by Mike Zaidi, a Mechanical Engineer since 1987. Prior to venturing into the construction business, Zaidi was in the biotech industry. Due to Zaidi’s background, he sees the construction industry from another angle. The team’s home building process is direct and the point.
The 8,400 square-foot home in the photo is one of the firm’s most interesting works. The home has two stories packed with modern living amenities. The home has a surround sound home theater system, an infinity pool, and outdoor cooking appliances.
Sinnott & Co
1127 Chestnut St., Menlo Park CA 94025
In 1994, Sinnott & Co first began building homes and commercial projects in Menlo Park and the South Peninsula. Sam Sinnott’s personalized approach made him quite popular in the area. Sinnott handles the strategy, including the consideration of potential code and zoning ordinance hiccups that could negatively impact the project. Sam Sinnott bills by the hour since he believes it is the fairest for all parties involved. The company also considers the green aspects of certain projects. Sinnot follows LEED-mandated practices that contribute to the preservation of the environment.
The company portfolio has an impressive collection of Shingles, French, and Ranch homes. The Shingle home featured in the photo is a home built in a sloping site overlooking the hills of Woodside. The home has a solarium and a flared roof.
SPE Construction
1700 S El Camino Real, Suite #100, San Mateo, CA 94402
SPE Construction is a full-service construction company offering subdivision planning, commercial building, and home building services. SPE is headed by Paul Yu, an alumnus of On Fai University in China. The firm employs seasoned management staff and construction professionals to satisfy the demands of architects and homeowners. The firm’s conduct has brought the company a loyal customer base across the Bay Area. SPE is also affiliated with Build It Green, a nonprofit organization dedicated to green construction.
SPE’s fluency in the luxury construction and renovation business is evident in its portfolio. The firm has an impressive track record of luxurious, high-level residential works.
Wise Building Co.
PO Box 39, Menlo Park, CA 94026
As featured on the pages of Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and The Peninsula, Wise Building Co. is a construction company handled by the husband and wife team of Jeff and Katherine Wise. The couple began their endeavor in the construction industry when they built their dream family home in Atherton in 2000. The three-year construction process awakened the couple’s passion for building family estates. Wise’s family-first appeal and close neighborhood approach catapulted the firm into prominence.
Wise’s reputation was built through extensive knowledge and careful consideration of the minute details that make up a home. The company takes pride in the longevity of their projects. Wise-built homes have a balanced design, highest quality, appropriate scaling, and abundant natural lighting.
The home featured in the photo is a property featured in a Forbes article. Like most of the homes built by Wise, this Almendral estate takes full advantage of the property where it sits. The firm builds around environmental factors: the sun, existing trees, and unique features in the neighborhood. Wise also likes to include unpredictable details: secret rooms and hidden spaces. As a cherry on top, the home has a massive pool and a guest house.
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
