The Best Custom Home Builders in Buffalo, New York

Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 02:01 am

Custom homes are a genuine reflection of one’s taste, and since you will be spending a significant portion of your funds, you should contact professionals. You save time and money and have the home look and feel like you’ve always wanted with a custom home builder with the right supplies, know-how, and construction materials. A home builder’s knowledge and expertise involve selecting particular materials according to their longevity, ease of maintenance, and other qualities that will aid in creating a house that makes good use of the available space, is structurally solid, and will survive for many years.

If you live in Buffalo, New York, and are planning to build your dream home, finding a reputable custom home builder can feel intimidating. With so many factors to consider, such as cost, timeline, and quality of work, choosing a builder you can trust is crucial. On average, custom home builders in Buffalo, NY, cost between $50,000 and $500,000. Still, high-end projects can cost as much as $600,000 or more, depending on the size, design, and materials involved, taking up to a year to complete.

Buffalo, with a population of approximately 278,000 and a median home value of $227,728, has a vibrant housing market supported by various skilled contractors. Choosing the right contractor ensures your home-building project goes smoothly and within budget. Whether building a new home from scratch or undertaking a major remodel, learn about the best custom home builders in Buffalo, New York. 

Overview: The Best Custom Home Builders in Buffalo, New York

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 

Timberbuilt

10821 Eagle Dr. N Collins, NY 14111

Throughout North America, Timberbuilt is a renowned custom home builder specializing in creating environmentally friendly, award-winning timber frame homes. It blends exposed, load-bearing timbers with the durability and effectiveness of structurally insulated panels (SIPs) for walls and roofs. The end product is a sustainable, energy-efficient, and distinctively designed home. Building homes across North America, including Alaska and Canada, the company has created a hybrid timber frame technology that mixes timbers with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to increase energy efficiency and architectural choices over the years.

This featured project is an example of how Timberbuilt efficiently builds well-thought-out and designed homes. The firm’s design team chose to use massive timber components in home construction wherein the load normally supported by a standard stick-framed house’s internal walls is shifted to the outer walls and wood posts. Large open areas can be found inside, with the great room serving as an unrestricted community hub. When integrated, lofts provide vistas down into the great room, allowing a higher sense of community. Timberbuilt creates a home based on nature and interwoven with the outdoors using computer models to optimize sunlight and surrounding views.

Buffalo Treehouse

1897 Davis Rd. W Falls, NY 14170

Among the best custom home builders in Buffalo, NY, is Buffalo Treehouse. It is dedicated to employing natural, recycled, and upcycled resources to make spaces, objects, and buildings go beyond the ordinary while retaining a general “humanness” in terms of breadth and size. Every project it works on grows naturally, considering site conditions, financial constraints, and customer feedback. Along with serving the business and residential markets, the company also creates custom furniture and artwork for a select group of customers.

This project was inspired by a kid who has always adored treehouses, visiting Buffalo Treehouse with several drawings he had made of his ideal one. Using these blueprints, the firm’s staff built a structure with all the amenities he desired, plus a few extras for his parents to enjoy, such as a porch that looked out over a 60-foot ravine on the property. This custom house is 22 feet tall, with its front 6 feet off the ground and its back 60 feet off the ground. Other project highlights include the 8-foot slide, the higher bedroom loft, and the family living area.

Heartland Homes Construction

525 N Forest Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221

Since its founding, Heartland Homes Construction has worked to promote sustainability by sharing knowledge and creating tools that encourage and motivate people to live sustainably. It creates eco-friendly and smart houses that assist clients in living happier, healthier lives with less environmental impact. With this goal and commitment, Heartland Homes Construction was recognized as a Certified Green Builder, awarded by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Heartland Homes Construction certifies that its projects follow the stringent requirements according to the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS), the only residential green building rating system recognized as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Heartland Homes Construction’s principal, Richard Bergman, has been building homes for over 20 years. He was formerly a design instructor at the University of Buffalo for a few years and built custom cabinets for the top furniture design stores. Bergman is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and a Certified Green Builder, awarded by the NAHB.

Julius Blum Builders

Roll Rd. Clarence Center, NY 8570

Maintaining high levels of quality and providing unique custom homes has helped Julius Blum Builders establish its stellar reputation. Established by Julius Blum and his wife, Eva, Julius Blum Builders has catapulted to local prominence and is now continued by his sons, Dave and Jeffrey Blum. After a few years, it hired some recognized home builders in Buffalo, NY, to construct residences in several upscale neighborhoods in Western New York, such as Clarence, Amherst, and Orchard Park. Specializing in Traditional and Bungalow home styles, custom homes by Julius Blum Builders range in size from 3,000 to over 10,000 square feet.

Julius Blum Builders has received several repeat customers and referrals for each project it receives. These repeat customers and referrals are positive testimonials reflecting satisfaction. Some of the praise it received is its transparency and open communication throughout the initial phase towards completion. Julius Blum Builders is also highly appreciated for its ability to complete a project on time or, at times, before the scheduled finish. Its team has also been commended for its ability to immediately address any issues that suddenly arise.

Prestige Designs

WNY 6480 Main St. Suite # 4, Williamsville, NY 14221

As a leading custom home builder, Prestige Designs’ portfolio shows its specialization in varying custom homes, such as Ranch, Bungalow, and Transitional dwellings. Following in his father’s footsteps, Rick Graci entered the contracting industry and established Prestige Designs. Today, the firm has served Westerners with several generations of building expertise. Under Graci’s leadership, the company received a Parade of Homes award and a Festival of Homes award, along with several awards from local publications.

Featured here is Prestige Designs’ two-story, 1,819-square-foot model home with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. This model home was intended to have a master bedroom or suite on the main floor. Its open floor plan with high ceilings features a contemporary eat-in kitchen that seamlessly integrates with the activities taking place in the great room. The large master suite is located on the first floor. There are two bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a loft located upstairs.

Forbes Capretto

470 Cayuga Rd. Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Forbes Capretto Homes has been among the recognized custom home builders in Buffalo, NY, and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Working carefully on each project with great attention to detail and dedication, it has received recognition and numerous repeat clients and referrals. Among its awards is the Buffalo News Best Home Builder Award in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Forbes Capretto Homes’ founder and president, David Capretto, is also a recipient of awards, recognized by the Buffalo Niagara Builders’ Association (BNBA) as Builder of the Year for three consecutive years (2011, 2019, 2023).

The Allen, including five bedrooms, four baths, a two-car garage, and storage, is one of Forbes Capretto Homes’ impressive projects. This house also has gables, a covered front porch, and an optional side-load garage to improve curb appeal. Its 3,509 square feet of combined living and sleeping space includes a clerestory foyer that welcomes guests with abundant natural light and open areas. A den can be used as a sixth bedroom, office, library, or exercise area on either side of the entrance. A completely furnished butler’s pantry separates the formal dining room from the kitchen, which is located across from the den.

Natale Builders

9159 Main St. Clarence, NY 14031

Since its inception, Natale Builders has continued challenging itself to set standards in the local building and construction industry. The firm is one of the family-owned new home builders in Buffalo, NY, which started with focusing on luxury custom homes and has since evolved to offer neighborhood homes. With its continuous dedication to excellence and quality service, Natale Builders has received client referrals and has even been featured in publications like Buffalo Business News. It also gets an A+ BBB rating and is a member and partner of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and BNBA.

Coming in at 2,513 square feet, this featured home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a two-car front-load garage. Its striking window wall in the two-story great room on the back wall of the house is one of its main highlights. On the first floor, there’s plenty of space for entertaining in the open kitchen, diner, and great room with a gas fireplace and kitchen island. There is also a large walk-in closet, mudroom, laundry room, and ½ bath. Upstairs are two additional bedrooms sharing a full bathroom with two vanity sinks and a private toilet.

Morgan Homes

5520 Strickler Rd. Clarence, NY 14031

Morgan Homes, one of the new home builders in Buffalo, NY, is one of the top builders of custom homes, giving each custom home full attention during the whole design and construction process. The company works closely with customers to identify the details and requirements of their ideal house, from flow and function to fixtures and finishes. Because of its dedication to meeting and exceeding customer expectations and providing top standards, Morgan Homes has gained an outstanding reputation, been accredited by the BBB, and is acknowledged as a member and affiliate of the BNBA and NAHB.

The Morgan Homes team can assist clients in seeing their projects through to completion because of its extensive experience in both residential and commercial real estate development. With this team, the company has the expertise, skill, and contacts to complete any task, whether it involves developing a commercial investment property, an apartment complex, or a subdivision. Keeping an eye on every property from the beginning of construction to the end walkthrough guarantees that every custom-built home appropriately captures each person’s distinct expectations, standards, and preferences while fitting in seamlessly with their personality and way of life.

Regency Builders

7165 Schultz Rd. N Tonawanda, NY 14120

Regency Builders is dedicated to utilizing careful construction techniques to create distinctive, luxurious custom homes, prioritizing the requirements and preferences of clients. It takes pride in facilitating the process of realizing as many happy and stress-free dream homes as possible. Regency Builders is pleased to receive recognition from industry colleagues, having been awarded one of the Top Ten Homebuilders in Western New York in 2016 and 2017 and was named the Best New Home Builder by the BNBA in 2017. Aside from recognition, Regency Builders’ projects come from referrals of satisfied clients.

Elliot Rasky currently leads Regency Builders. Lasky received his Juris Doctor from the University of Buffalo Law School in June 1975, and then after, he went into real estate development. He initially found Forbes Homes, which he sold in 2005. Throughout his career at Forbes, Lasky developed dozens of subdivisions in Erie and Niagara Counties and constructed over 2,500 distinct houses throughout the Western New York region. Apart from this expertise, he has also built townhouses, apartment complexes, and commercial structures. Most recently, he finished a high-end condo project consisting of 163 units in NYC’s Financial District.

Alliance Homes

4727 Camp Rd. Hamburg, NY 14075

Alliance Homes construct roughly 30 houses annually, focusing on custom homes in quaint villages throughout Western New York (WNY), such as Hamburg, Orchard Park, Eden, Lancaster, East Aurora, Amherst, Clarence, and Elma. Being BBB-accredited, its goal has always been to give each of its customers greater service, better products, and better procedures. Alliance Homes consistently construct unique homes with superior energy performance, comfort, health, and safety in mind by utilizing the most recent air sealing and energy-saving technology. To maintain this dedication, it has been a prominent participant in the New York ENERGY STAR Homes program for almost a decade.

Leading Alliance Homes is its president, Andrew Romanowski. In addition to 25 years of expertise in building new homes, he holds a degree in Business Finance. Romanowski is a member of a municipal planning board and the previous president of the BNBA. He founded Alliance Homes and is in charge of all project management responsibilities. He also finalizes all financial decisions and oversees the company’s continuous expansion through land acquisitions.

Randaccio Builder

300 International Dr. Williamsville, NY 14221

Randaccio Builder is recognized as a leading provider of exquisite custom homes, patio houses, and real estate development. Its team, consisting of seasoned project managers having over 75 years of combined expertise, provides clients with the best possible customer care and attention to detail at each stage of constructing a new home. With this team, the company can provide superior craftsmanship, the best materials, and a robust network of trustworthy and experienced subcontractors. Having years of experience, Randaccio Builder is knowledgeable about the real estate industry for buyers and sellers.

Randaccio Builder builds custom homes throughout Western New York including Lancaster, East Aurora, and Grand Island. Clients can work with Randaccio to create their dream home or select from a variety of custom home designs. Clients can also access numerous lots around Western New York, including roomy lake lots and forested house sites, and can select from several home communities. The team at Randaccio Builder can help locate the ideal lot in the desired area. It can additionally be constructed on clients’ own lots.

David Homes

8 Knoche Wy, Orchard Park, NY 14127

David Homes is among the known home builders in Buffalo, NY, and it was founded on the firm premise that affordable, comfortable, and environmentally friendly houses are essential for families. It is dedicated to constructing homes that meet Energy Star requirements, which enables its clients to save a substantial amount of money each year. The company employs only the best materials, handpicking each set of construction supplies for every house, from energy-efficient windows and doors to floors that don’t creak. David Homes uses the best building procedures in the industry to construct any style of custom home, whether in French country, English Tudor, Cape Cod, colonial, or even modern homes.

One of its noteworthy projects is this 1,800-square-foot ranch-style home in East Amherst, NY. The main suite features a spacious living room with a fireplace, a private bathroom, and a walk-in closet. In addition, there is a spacious kitchen with an island, a first-floor laundry room, and a flexible space in front of the house that may be used as a third bedroom, office, or den. Lastly, the home boasts an easy-to-finish full basement and nine-foot ceilings throughout.

MJ Peterson Tucker Homes

200 John James Audubon Pkwy. Ste #300, Amherst, NY 14228

MJ Peterson Tucker Homes features a diverse portfolio of homes. Its in-house design team creates personalized designs to satisfy various budgetary requirements, offering homes to fit every lifestyle, including two-story models, patio homes, and ranches. One thing that unites all MJ Peterson Tucker Homes projects, regardless of the types and places they are built in, is exacting attention to detail. Aside from each home being Energy Star certified, every aspect of MJ Peterson Tucker Homes’ custom homes, from the intricate interior design to the initial designs, is meticulously thought out and carried out.

MJ Peterson Tucker Homes’ company vision includes the construction of elegant, custom-designed homes and superior customer service. Throughout all phases of the construction process, the team keeps the homeowner apprised of the project’s progress and welcomes visits to the site; every detail must meet stringent standards. With each project, MJ Peterson Tucker Homes makes certain that each home is constructed within the given timeframe or even ahead.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the custom home builders in the Buffalo area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.