Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 10:54 am
Located in Alameda County, Pleasanton is a suburb right in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. It has consistently placed on lists ranking the most livable cities in the United States, with Pleasanton ranking fourth in 2018. The city is known for its picturesque homes and historic downtown. The architecture and home styles are predominantly Mediterranean, Italianate, and colonial-inspired homes. Some homeowners have also demonstrated an inclination toward more modern designs and the classic Spanish colonial, a common trend throughout California.
This article compiles some of the best custom home builders in Pleasanton. These teams were the creative minds behind some of the area’s most beautiful homes. They were chosen based not only on skill, but also on their company’s history, experience, and portfolio. Several of these firms have also had their work featured in prestigious publications and have won numerous awards as well.
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.
14) Green California Builders
2570 N First St. 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95132
Although better known for its remodeling services, Green California Builders also provides ground-up construction work and specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor landscapes, and home additions. It extends its services throughout the entire Bay Area and offers an all-in-one approach to each of its projects. From design and permit processing to product selection, construction, and post-job cleanup, the team uses only the latest technology and provides its clients with innovative solutions and ideas. It also makes use of the best green building techniques in each of its projects.
The firm’s portfolio displays its expertise for a wide variety of home styles. It often constructs modern, traditional, and classic Spanish revivals, and the team’s woodwork and fine attention to detail is its signature. The featured project depicts one of its Spanish villas. For this home, the Green California design team opted for terracotta roofs, stucco exteriors, and a combination of large arched and rectangular windows to give it a more transitional appeal.
13) V.A. Tragni
1928 Via Di Salerno, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Since its inception in 1989, V.A. Tragni has been providing the San Francisco Bay Area with luxury custom home building services. It has worked in some of the area’s most exclusive neighborhoods and specializes in an array of intricate architectural styles. Its portfolio is a gallery of Tuscan, Mediterranean, and Spanish colonial estates, as well as mansions characterized by the V.A’s team’s striking stucco exteriors and roofing. The firm is led by its principal and namesake Vito Tragni, who personally lives in one of the communities he built. Under his leadership, the firm employs the latest green building methods and state-of-the-art industry techniques. His leadership has also enabled the firm to become an expert in ground-up construction projects as well as home additions, fire damage rebuilds, and multi-residential work.
The chosen project embodies the firm’s expertise. Here the team opted for a layout reminiscent of an English countryside home. It displayed its excellent exterior work through the use of several stucco finishes and chose a classic shingled roof.
12) Lemma Construction
PO Box 7726, Menlo Park, CA 94026
Lemma Construction offers a full range of ground-up construction and luxury remodeling services. It has also worked on several commercial projects and offers its clients over a decade of industry experience. It works throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and is noted for its team’s consistency in developing unique methods to complete all of its projects on time and on budget. It utilizes only the latest equipment and technology and emphasizes the importance of communication throughout the entire process. It is led by its namesake, Timothy Lemma, who first got his glimpse into the industry at a young age under the tutelage of his father. Through his leadership, the firm prioritizes collaboration between homeowners, subcontractors, and architects. Additionally, it has shown expertise for an extensive range of designs, including contemporary and European inspired themes.
The featured project embodies one of the firm’s best work. For this classic English manor, its team drew inspiration from several traditional European themes. It made use of a neutral palette with hints of blue, in addition to stucco exteriors and intricate custom finishes.
11) K.C. Customs Inc.
132 Gilman Ave., Campbell, CA 95008
K.C. Customs offers a full range of custom home building services and primarily focuses on high-end construction and renovation projects. Manned by a team of seasoned professionals and superintendents, the firm has an extensive network of specialty contractors and suppliers, assuring its clients that it only works with the area’s best craftsmen. It also uses an online client portal, accessible 24/7, to facilitate better lines of communication with each client; homeowners can gain access to various timeframes, project schedules, and budget outlines. They may also track the real-time progress of their new homes throughout the entire process.
As for its designs, the firm’s portfolio is a gallery of modern, Mediterranean, and Spanish colonial-inspired homes. In the Spanish revival below, you can see that the K.C. team made use of arched windows and entrances as a nod to classic Mediterranean architecture. It also incorporated several wooden elements to complement the home’s clean stucco exteriors.
10) Silva Custom Construction
45 W 1st St., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
With over four decades of combined industry experience, Silva Custom Construction (SCC) specializes in ground-up construction, home additions, and entire home remodeling projects. SCC handles every facet of construction from start to finish, including an in-house designer and extends services throughout the entire South San Francisco Bay Area. In business since 2009, SCC has secured relationships with some of the area’s best artisans and distributors, ensuring both the quality of its homes and the materials that go into each of them. The firm is especially known for its excellent kitchens and bathrooms as well as its budget-friendly remodels. SCC has a proven track record of finished projects under budget and on time.
The pictured project is a great example of the firm’s craftsmanship. As can be seen in their portfolio, SCC specializes in transitional and classic American craftsman homes. In this particular the kitchen, Silva Custom Construction made a generous use of straight lines and right angles and emphasized the clean look with a neutral color palette.
9) CA Design-Build
696 San Ramon Valley Blvd. #508, Danville, CA 94526
Since its inception CA Design-Build has relied solely on referrals and it offers its clients three unique construction packages: build, design, and design-build. The last package is the most comprehensive of the three, with the firm handling every facet of a project from site inspection and analysis to planning and construction. The firm also provides its clients with two-year cosmetic guarantees and a structural guarantee, all good for a decade. The firm maintains affiliations with several noteworthy industry organizations, namely the Building Industry Association (BIA) of the Bay Area and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. It is also a Lead Safety certification holder. The firm is led by Robert Clifford, an experienced builder who has led the team to construct over 250 homes throughout the Bay Area. He is also the author of a book about home remodeling.
The firm’s portfolio displays its expertise for a varied range of designs. For this estate, its team drew inspiration from classic English architecture. It showcased its expertise for masonry and opted for shingled roofs and several elegant marble finishes, which you can see in the home’s custom banisters and the pillars by its entryway.
8) Young & Burton
1947 San Ramon Valley Blvd. #200, San Ramon, CA 94583
Comprised of a team of dedicated and skilled professionals, Young & Burton specializes in ground-up residential construction work in addition to large scale remodels and select commercial projects. For the past three decades, it has been extending its services throughout the greater Bay Area, from East Bay to San Francisco and from Napa Valley to the Monterey Peninsula. In the business since 1985, it has secured a solid reputation for itself as well as relationships with some of the area’s best subcontractors, craftsmen, and artisans. Its process emphasizes the importance of cost control and scheduling, as well as coordination among its team to ensure that each project is delivered on time and within an agreed-upon budget. The firm is known for having worked on some of the area’s most unique and challenging job sites and its extensive range of designs.
For this home, the firm’s team used a Tuscan design, as you can see in the home’s classic stucco exteriors and detailed finishes. The team also infused several modern touches including straight lines and large windows.
7) SinglePoint Design-Build
Mill Valley, CA 94942
SinglePoint Design-Build specializes in large-scale residential remodels and new home construction work. Since its establishment in 2010, it has grown to become one of Marin County’s leading contractors with expertise in a wide variety of home styles. Its portfolio depicts several beautiful contemporary waterfront houses, modern farmhouses, transitional spaces, and Tudor-inspired interiors. It is manned by a group of skilled and passionate carpenters and professionals who handle every phase of a project, from design all the way to construction. It also has partnerships with some of the area’s leading subcontractors, all experts when it comes to plumbing, roofing, and HVAC work. Brant Hill, a builder with a background in construction management, leads the firm. Prior to his establishment of the firm, he worked as a project manager for a large commercial general contractor for over six years. Now, as a principal of his own firm, he personally oversees each project SinglePoint takes on and closely works with his team to meticulously plan every phase of construction.
For this modern waterfront mansion, the firm’s team made use of glass elements to emphasize the property’s stunning, panoramic view. Doing so also opened up the entertainment space, giving it an expansive, spacious feel.
6) Harwood Construction
2905 Carolina Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061
Established in 1997, Harwood Construction crafts one-of-a-kind spaces and specializes in ground-up construction and large-scale remodels. It also takes on home addition work as well as several intricate renovations. Given its years in the industry, it has secured relationships with some of the Bay Area’s best architects. In line with this, the firm’s team is composed of skilled engineers and designers. It is led by Smitty and Tambi Harwood, under whose leadership the firm has been distinguished with a Town of Atherton Green Building Award, in addition to several certifications which include Certified Green Building Professional. The firm is also affiliated with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
The firm’s work is often distinguished by its team’s use of recycled and reusable materials, as well as its projects’ durability, water and energy efficiency, and durability. As for its designs, the firm mostly constructs modern, Craftsman, and Mediterranean themes. The featured project displays more of the latter. For this Spanish revival, its team opted for stucco exteriors, classic terracotta roofs, and a neutral color palette.
5) Clarum Homes
412 Olive Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306
Known for its exceptional green building services, Clarum Homes has been working on projects throughout Northern California since 1994. It is a leading figure in the sustainability and high-performance branch of the construction industry. In 2002, it invented the “Enviro-Home.” This passive home prototype was the first of its kind in the industry and is noted for infusing state-of-the-art construction technology, excellent energy efficiency, and numerous sustainable materials. Since its inception, the firm has constructed over a thousand of these homes, noted for beautiful design and outstanding features. At the firm’s helm is John Suppes, under whose leadership Clarum was able to reach a number of noteworthy milestones, including constructing the first Certified Passive Home in San Mateo County and a LEED Gold custom home in Palo Alto.
The firm primarily specializes in modern and contemporary designs but also constructs in a wide variety of other architectural themes. Its portfolio displays several modern farmhouses and mission revivals, in addition to numerous Spanish revivals, as you can see in the project above.
4) DV Rasmussen Construction
1118 Grant Ave., Novato, CA 94945
From small single bathroom remodels to ground-up construction of sprawling country estates, DV Rasmussen offers a full range of services and has relationships with some of the area’s best architects. For its smaller projects, it often employs an in-house design-build approach and employs numerous sustainability efforts in all of its work. Most notably, it uses reclaimed lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, low-VOC paint, natural floor coverings, and plant-based insulation. It is led by David Rasmussen, a builder who grew up with an appreciation for the wonderful architectural heritage of his hometown which would, later on, inspire his work. Under his leadership, the firm’s work has had the privilege of being featured in publications like Architectural Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, and Remodeling Magazine.
The firm constructs and designs in an extensive range of themes, with the chosen project showcasing some of its best work. For this home, its team made use of geometric elements coupled with straight lines and large windows to emphasize its contemporary and art deco feel.
3) Santa Cruz Green Builders
303 Potrero St. Suite #45-105, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
With over a decade of industry experience, Santa Cruz Green Builders offers a wide array of residential and commercial projects. It has worked on several ground-up construction projects, in addition to restaurants, accessory dwelling units, whole house remodels, and decks. Given its commitment to incorporating green building practices into its services, it has also installed numerous solar panels and provides its clients with smart designs and projects constructed with the best sustainable and non-toxic materials. Its homes are also noted to maximize both energy and water. Manned by a team of several in-house experts and professionals, the firm maintains affiliations with several noteworthy organizations including the Passive House Institute and US Green Building Council. Additionally, its work has also been featured in This Old House and The Mercury News.
The chosen project best showcases the firm’s work. Designed by Peter Spellman, this home features the firm’s standard green building package, with all of its lights being LED and appliances being EnergyStar-certified. Further, the entire house is powered by a solar array.
2) De Mattei Construction
1794 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Having been in the industry for over three decades, De Mattei Construction is led by its namesake Mark De Mattei, who founded the firm over three decades ago. Under his leadership, the firm has gone on to construct over 2,000 homes and has secured a reputation for itself as one of the Bay Area’s premier custom home building and remodeling companies. Comprised of an award-winning team of 75 skilled professionals, the firm uses a design-build approach and provides its clients with a “Project Binder,” containing product manuals, maintenance requirements, warranties, and operational instructions, and several construction photos for any issues that may arise once a project is complete. It maintains affiliations with prestigious industry organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the firm has had its work featured in publications such as Sunset Magazine Homes and Qualified Remodeler.
Depicted above is an embodiment of some of the firm’s best work. For this project, the firm made use of a transitional theme. It used straight lines infused with stucco exteriors and wooden elements for the perfect marriage of the traditional and the modern.
1) Stroub Construction
300 Main St., Sausalito, CA 94965
With over 30 features in numerous prestigious publications like Architectural Digest, Stroub Construction has worked on exceptional and unique homes that require excellent craftsmanship and skill. The firm provides a full range of full-scale residential remodeling, historic renovation, and ground-up construction work. Qualified Remodeler named Stroub among its leading 125 firms and the firm was also profiled by Professional Builder Magazine as one of the best luxury home builders on the West Coast. The firm incorporates several green building practices into each of its projects, and all of its key personnel being Certified Green Professionals. Additionally, its Project Manager is LEED-accredited and emphasizes the importance of energy conservation, sustainable building products, material recycling, and indoor air quality with each of its projects.
Below, you’ll see a home where the firm’s team drew inspiration from several European themes. Straub’s intricate finishes and millwork bring out the classic dormer and trellised windows.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Pleasanton. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom Home Builders in San Jose
Custom Home Builders in Fremont
Custom Home Builders in Oakland
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.
