Last updated on May 22nd, 2024 at 10:17 am
Custom home builders are common enough: finding quality custom home builders requires a thorough search. The right construction partner has building skills, of course, but also management and customer service prowess. Industry awards indicate mettle and validate a firm’s field expertise.
Here is a list of the best custom home builders in El Cerrito, California. These firms stood out from a pool of viable candidates for their awards, their client feedback, and the overall quality of their portfolios. Most companies operate exclusively on residential markets, save for a couple that works on small commercial properties.
Berkeley Design Build, Inc.
5427 Telegraph Avenue, Suite A, Oakland, CA 94609
Berkeley Design Build Inc. is known for its quality custom homes in the Oakland area. The full-service general contractor runs a design-build operation, and every structure is built with a durable design to create long-lasting appeal. The company also practices sustainable methods for energy efficiency and has tight targets for minimal environmental impact.
Mike Pond, the firm’s principal, sports a dynamic portfolio that showcases new homes, remodels, kitchens, baths, additions, and more. His client-centric operation produces projects tailor-made for each owner, incorporating their lifestyle and vision to make every home as comfortable as possible.
The New House in Albany Hill is a complete home construction with a modern structure. The three-story residence has a simple design both indoors and out, with exterior walls that feature beige sidings and deep red accents. Inside, a functional layout with a contemporary theme makes living worthwhile from the living room to the bedroom suites.
Feraru & Associates Building And Design Inc.
1569 Solano Ave, #249 Berkeley, CA 94707
Feraru & Associates has over 10 years of experience working on residential spaces in the San Francisco Bay Area. The firm’s core services include building, remodeling, planning, design, room additions, installations, exterior work, and more.
Principal Sorin Feraru oversees the firm’s operations. He leads a team of craftsmen that deliver high-quality workmanship from start to finish. The firm takes into account a client’s desire to create a space that fits their lifestyles. Their efficient process makes each project flow smoothly for the convenience of the owner. Feraru’s all-around excellence won merits aplenty from homeowner circles in the area.
Here is the Vassar Project, a contemporary home remodel in San Francisco. The three-story residence features gray walls on all sides, large windows on all levels, and a flat white roof. A bright red door opens up to the stunning interior, showcasing an ergonomic layout made of wood and stone.
New Avenue Inc.
61 Panoramic Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
New Avenue Homes is a design-build firm that specializes in construction, design, permitting, and consultation. A central mission fuels its operations—elevate people’s lives through high-quality spaces. The five-star ratings coming from Berkeley homeowners indicate that the firm has consistently been successful in accomplishing that mission.
The firm’s projects in residential territories include solid structures with visual flair. The company’s team, with CEO Kevin Casey at the helm, aims to build structures that bring a client’s vision to life. Their dossier of residential properties includes custom homes, remodeled houses, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
This Modern Custom Home in El Cerrito stands on the site of a former residence from 1943. The 2,300-square-foot house has contemporary amenities that fit the current times and accommodate its owner’s busy lifestyle. The house includes office space, a yoga studio, and an open living area. The home’s design displays clean lines and simple design elements that create a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
Branagh Development
3800 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Suite 200, Lafayette, CA 94549
Branagh Development has a catalog of projects that spans custom homes, urban developments, and commercial buildings. These spaces embody the client’s vision and are crafted to be both functional and beautiful. Aside from its construction and development prowess, the practice also excels in forging long-lasting relationships with industry professionals and homeowners.
Matt Branagh, the company’s CEO, holds a strong commitment to high-caliber workmanship and customer service. As a member of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), he also employs sustainable methods in every project. One of his firm’s standout homes is this Chic Contemporary Farmhouse, which stands on a San Francisco lot surrounded by a grassy expanse and sparse tree clumps. The mid-sized two-story home has wood exterior sidings and gray shingle roofs. The all-white palette is prominent indoors and out, from the exterior to the interior walls, floors, and ceilings.
NurtureSource Homes
1136 Parker St., Berkeley, CA 94702
NurtureSource Homes is a sustainable builder that excels in green building methods and advanced technology. The design-build practice strives to minimize carbon footprints and make the project flow smoothly for the client.
Owners Benjamin and Joshua Kimmich specialize in new home building, interior remodels, ADUs, tenant improvements, and seismic and structural services. One of their firm’s projects is this Berkeley Hills Home, a stunning residence located in San Francisco. The million-dollar project, completed in 2015, showcases a minimalist theme in layout and design.
Sharp corners on the exterior walls add a geometric flair to the home aesthetic. Large windows connect the exterior spaces to the interiors, brings an open feel to the abode. Wide spaces and white surfaces color the insides with a bright and airy atmosphere; natural light illuminates the halls. Other notable features include a stone entryway, a modern wood deck, and a dynamic landscape.
Oliver Builders
1031 Pardee St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Oliver Builders, Inc., also known as OBI, is known for residential construction in California’s earthquake-prone domains. The local contractor practices a collaborative approach from start to completion, acting as the client’s consultant and liaison in every development. As a Build It Green builder and a member of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the firm also uses sustainable methods to make every project environmentally-friendly.
Principal Severin Oliver has over 35 years of experience in the industry. His seasoned status echoes a dynamic portfolio that features traditional homes, residential additions, kitchen remodels, and ADUs. A sample of his work is the Berkeley Craftsman featured here. Prevalent in its design is a mix of classic and modern themes, handcrafted to be efficient and convenient. Brick sidings, mint green roofs, and white accents give the abode a charming exterior. Upon entrance, a warm ambiance emanates from this traditional design, and each room is pleasantly distinct in function and visual flavor.
Murphy McKenna Construction
125 Park Place, Suite 200 Point Richmond, California 94801
MurphyMcKenna Construction specializes in kitchen and bath remodeling, complete renovations, and various home improvements. The firm’s process includes pre-construction, construction, close-outs, maintenance, and small projects. Smooth management and efficient building propelled the firm to prominence, and it’s become one of the area’s most preferred contractors.
Principals Anthony Murphy and Sean McKenna head the operations, and they’ve delivered professional and personal service for over 25 years. Their portfolio of residential properties ranges from contemporary dwellings to city townhouses.
This Los Altos Hills residence is a modern Zen retreat with seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a room for the au pair. The 5,956-square-foot house features eco-friendly smart home technology, which includes a geothermal energy system. Its make-up includes 30 feet of stacking glass doors, steel beam support, and open spaces for various purposes. It also includes a large pool with an outdoor grill and dining area. The stunning getaway home is a collaboration project with Levy Art + Architecture.
Alderson Construction
710 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94710
Alderson Construction balances the past and the future through contemporary structures that embrace classic design. A peek in its portfolio proves this point, as it shines a spotlight on Spanish homes from the 1930s, California Mediterranean manors, and modern dwellings. Another one of its noteworthy projects is the restoration of Saint Augustine’s Church.
The firm uses sustainable methods that foster environmentally-responsible living. One example is the use of rainwater and greywater systems. Alderson Construction also incorporates earthquake design and material technologies, as the area is prone to seismic activity.
The custom home builder has served the San Francisco Bay Area since 1979. Its longevity has led to numerous partnerships with nationally-acclaimed and local architects and yielded a dynamic catalog of houses. This New Lafayette Home is a collaboration with Faulkner Architects. The San Francisco home features minimalist and sustainable elements and even won the Green Award for its exemplary build.
Jetton Construction
1117-A Virginia Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Jetton Construction is an acclaimed company with a reputation tethered to high-quality craftsmanship and service. The builder has produced over 500 projects since 1980, each built with field efficiency and construction fervor.
Firm founder and president Bill Jetton leads a team that specializes in new home construction, historic restoration, and sustainable building. The firm works with clients in residential and commercial markets and it is well-versed in an array of architectural styles. Those styles include high-rise condos in San Francisco and whole-house remodels in Hillsborough.
The featured project is the Lafayette New Home, one of the exemplary houses showcased in the 2018 American Institute of Architects (AIA) East Bay Home Tour. The project is a collaboration between Jetton Construction, Chambers and Chambers Architects, Amber Interiors, and Frederika Moller Landscape Architecture. A predominantly white palette extends from the outdoors to the interiors, which gives the house a radiant vibe. Its design includes soaring vaulted ceilings, full-height windows, and crisp wood floors. The toned-down theme fosters calm and simplicity, which works well in style and visuals.
