Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 10:54 am
In 2019, the San Diego-Carlsbad metro area was ranked the fifth most expensive city to move to by USA Today. Because Carlsbad is located along Cali’s sandy coastline, the city’s cost of living is 115% more expensive than that of other cities in the U.S. And it’s no surprise why. Carlsbad offers homeowners an exciting coastal and suburban lifestyle, and residents have public access to the city’s two beaches, feel safer because of the city’s low crime rates, and enjoy rising property values.
If you’re considering building a new or first home in Carlsbad, then you’ll need our list of the best custom home builders in the area. These contractors have built some of the city’s most beautiful homes, which have been featured in several design and industry publications. The firms were selected and ranked based on their accolades, customer service, and quality of work.
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.
Alliance Green Builders
829 Second St. Suite A, Encinitas, CA 92024
Alliance Green Builders is a multi-award-winning design-build company that specializes in building sustainable homes in San Diego County. It was founded by Jeff Adams and Rich Williams in 2013 with the intention of providing high-performing homes for its clients. Adams and Williams’ combined six decades of construction experience and passion for sustainability and efficiency have allowed the company to amass a rich portfolio of projects, some of which have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and awards from the San Diego Green Building Council and Department of Energy.
Among the firm’s most recognized custom homes is Casa Aguila, an award-winning home built in Ramona, California. Alliance Green Builders worked with Amy McQuillan and Pete Beauregard, who unfortunately lost their previous home to wildfires. The firm’s goal was to build a passive, self-sufficient home, and the result was a cutting-edge home that was sustainably designed using advanced construction techniques. Casa Aguila is the first Certified Passive House in Southern California. It is also LEED Platinum certified and the recipient of the 2017 Housing Innovation Award from the Department of Energy. This project was also featured in Vox, The Verge, Inhabitat, Curbed, and The San Diego Union Tribune.
Hulton Construction
2010 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Suite #212, Del Mar, CA 92024
Founded more than three decades ago, Hulton Construction specializes in custom home building and renovation. It is currently helmed by its founding president Thomas R. Fulton Erickson, who was exposed to construction at an early age. Raised in a family of carpenters, Erickson continues his family’s tradition of home building. Under Erickson’s leadership, Hulton Construction has completed several high-profile projects in the luxury residential market. The company has successfully secured these projects through close collaborations with prominent architects and designers.
The featured project, built in Del Mar, was completed with Heather Jhonston Architect. Casa 8 highlights the home’s exterior environment, as the strategically placed windows offer homeowners unobstructed views of the sky and the Pacific Ocean. The interiors are well-lit, with natural light and operable skylights. Hulton Development also installed sustainable fixtures to make the home energy efficient. Sustainably resourced Brazilian Redwood is also used throughout the home to tie together its contemporary design and create a contrast with the maple flooring and staircase.
Hunter Leggitt Studio
2684 Lacy St. #302, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Architect-by-trade Hunter Leggitt founded his namesake studio as a multidisciplinary design firm in Denver and Los Angeles in the 2000s. Since then, the firm has designed and built several residences, multifamily buildings, commercial structures, and even stages for the annual music and arts festival, Coachella. Through Hunter’s strikingly modern designs, the firm has captured the attention of several design magazines, including Dwell, Curbed, Interior Design Magazine, and Modern in Denver. He was also honored with the Curbed National Young Gun Award in 2014. In 2016, one of the firm’s projects was included in ArchDaily’s Top 100 American Architecture Projects.
Among Leggitt’s most recognized works is his first-ever design-build project built in collaboration with Sebastian Mariscal. The Wabi House has appeared in several publications, most notably as a front-page feature in Dwell. The home is a tranquil, Japanese-inspired, minimalist residence located in a suburban area in Carlsbad. It stands out in the neighborhood with its unique charred cedar facade. Inside, a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door extends along the entire living space, offering residents and visitors a seamless transition between the exterior and interior of the home. The home also features a sunken rock garden, master bedroom suite, landscaped green roof, and 7,000-gallon koi pond that extends throughout the house.
MLA General Contractors
P.O. Box 733, Bonsall, CA 92003
Founded by Mike Amos in 1987, MLA General Contractors provides a stress-free building experience to clients. The company employs a multigenerational team of architects, designers, local craftsmen, and including Mike Amos’ two (2) sons Matthew Amos and TJ Amos who have collectively helped in building more than 450 custom residences in various communities in Southern California. The firm has also built apartments, commercial buildings, and even airport facilities throughout its 32-year history. With a commitment to advanced building technologies, fine design, proprietary technology and methods, and energy efficiency, MLA General Contractors has developed a diverse portfolio of custom homes. The firm has built homes in various design-styles, including Contemporary, Tuscan, and Colonial. MLA is also a leader in building specially adapted smart homes for our most severely wounded heroes and others in Southern California.
While it explores a wide range of design-styles, MLA General Contractors prioritizes homeowners’ lifestyles, personal tastes, and budget requirements in all of its projects. This client-centric approach from the design process to final completion has helped the company build a loyal client base that includes the next generation of clientele, business executives, and more becoming one of Southern California’s top-rated custom home builders.
Peter Madsen Builder
7618 Reposado Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92009
In 1987, Peter Madsen opened his own residential construction business after moving to Carlsbad. He has decades of construction experience working alongside his father, a Danish-trained master craftsman and shipwright. Madsen is an expert in cabinetry and finish carpentry, which he perfected as a boatbuilder. In the 1970s, he transitioned to residential construction. With a team of construction professionals, he was able to design and build custom homes in Vancouver, British Columbia, and California. He has also ventured into residential remodeling, commercial building, outdoor landscaping, and custom furniture production.
In California, Peter Madsen Builder has built several contemporary homes, such as the home featured here, which displays a sophisticated use of wood, stone, and neutral colors.
ProPacific Builders
5631 Palmer Way Suite D, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Propacific Builders is a locally established, family-owned-and-operated custom home builder and remodeler. The firm offers a wide array of construction services, including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, whole home renovations, new construction, and additions. The company was founded by Scott and Mike Jaeger—brothers raised by a father who worked as a homebuilder. Together, the brothers bring years of building experience to the company.
The company’s portfolio showcases its ability to build anything—from classic to modern homes. The featured project highlights Propacific Builders’s excellence in the Craftsman style. The home features a gray-stone patio with a pergola, white French windows that complement the white exterior sidings, and light-stained wooden floors in the interior.
RA Booker Builders
2240 Encinitas Blvd. Suite D, Encinitas, CA 92024
RA Booker Builders was founded in 2008 by Robert Booker, an expert remodeler and home builder from Encinitas. With Booker at the helm, the company efficiently delivers projects that exceed clients’ expectations. Its excellent customer service has helped the firm maintain its position as one of the most highly rated builders in the area.
The company has built both traditional and modern homes in various styles, including Craftsman, Contemporary, Mediterranean, and Spanish. It has also built luxury residences with high-end features, including home theaters, gyms, infinity pools, and outdoor bar areas.
South Pointe Construction
41164 Elm St. Suite H, Murrieta, CA 92562
South Pointe Construction has been in the custom home building industry since 2008. Since then, the firm has established itself as one of the best design-builders in its service areas. South Pointe was founded by its CEO, Bill Parker, who previously served as regional manager of The Home Depot and supply chain manager of the U.S. Navy. Under Parker’s leadership, the company has been featured in Remodeling Magazine, which has also recognized the company as one of the best full-service remodelers in the country in 2014 and 2015.
The company serves communities in Southern California, including Carlsbad, San Diego, and Costa Mesa. South Pointe Construction’s team enjoys building homes in diverse styles, incorporating sophistication into homes, and building with clients’ preferences and lifestyles in mind. In Costa Mesa, the firm built a mid-century modern home with three bedrooms, a three-car garage, and a gym. The home stands out in the neighborhood with its white and warm wood exterior accented by expansive windows facing the street.
Spaces Renewed
1107 S Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054
Spaces Renewed is a design-build firm founded by husband and wife duo, Marshall and Beth Booth. Together, they lead an award-winning team in building and remodeling homes in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, and other nearby communities. With memberships in the National Association of Home Builders, National Kitchen and Bath Association, American Society of Interior Designers, and the American Institute of Architects, the firm provides services that are up to par with those of the finest design-build contractors in Southern California. In fact, the firm’s projects have been featured in Modern Luxury Magazine, Warrior Home TV, Houzz, and Home Bunch.
In 2019, the company completed the new construction of the home featured here. Spaces Renewed used elements of the modern Spanish, Traditional Coastal, and Farmhouse styles to create a modern coastal vibe. The home’s exterior of white stucco, vertical wood fencing, charcoal composite roof, and black metal gates make the home especially appealing. Inside, the firm implemented an open layout, with spacious kitchen and dining areas to accommodate guests. The home also features an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and beautifully designed wood and metal staircase.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Carlsbad. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
The Best Custom Home Builders in San Diego
The Best Bathroom Remodeling Contractors in San Diego
The Best Residential General Contractors in San Diego
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.
