The Best Custom Home Builders in Chicago, Illinois

Last updated on July 8th, 2024 at 04:56 pm

When building a custom home in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, the sheer breadth of options can be exciting and overwhelming. The average commercial project ranges from $350,000 to over $1.3 million, with costs averaging around $32 per square foot, reflecting the diverse landscape of architectural aspirations and the city’s dynamic urban fabric. From sleek modern designs to classic residences, each project is a testament to individuality, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of a dream home tailored to one’s unique vision and lifestyle. With 44 relevant contractors available, finding the right professionals to bring your vision to life is crucial to ensuring the success of your custom home project.

With a population of 2.66 million, Chicago stands as a bustling metropolis where the pulse of innovation beats alongside the echoes of tradition. Amidst its iconic skyline and diverse neighborhoods lies a rich tapestry of residential needs, from cozy bungalows to sprawling estates. With a median home value of $296,901, Chicagoans understand the importance of investing in quality construction and design, ensuring that their homes withstand the test of time and reflect their style and preferences.

According to permit data from the city’s building department, navigating the realm of custom home building in Chicago is easier with the expertise and dedication of the 48 contractors specializing in custom homes. These Chicago area custom home builders offer many options and guide clients through every step of the process, from initial concept to final touches. Their creativity and dedication ensure that each client’s vision is transformed into reality in the vibrant backdrop of the Windy City.

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.

Overview: The Best Custom Home Builders in Chicago, Illinois

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

Cesario Builders

17 W 601 14th St, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181

Cesario Builders, in operation for over four decades, has earned a reputation as one of Chicago’s premier custom home builders focusing on green building. The company was established by Anthony Cesario, who learned carpentry from his Italian father. Today, he holds several certifications from NAHB and even served as president of the Illinois Home Builders Association from 1984-1986. Under his watch, one of these custom home builders in Chicago IL project was featured in an article from the Chicago Tribune.

The firm is an NAHB Certified Green Home Builder and a certified partner of the national Energy Star Builder program. These certifications ensure that the firm’s custom homes have a low environmental impact and are cost-efficient, comfortable, and durable. Cesario Builders is also a member of NAHB and its Elite Builder 20 Club. Through Cesario Builders’ dedication to building sustainable and elegant homes, a project on 20 Tuscan Court in Oak Brook, IL won the Silver Key Award for Excellence in New Construction from HBAGC in 2011. At 5,836 square feet, the home is currently valued by Zillow at $1.9 million.

BGD&C 

875 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1314, Chicago, IL 60611

BGD&C prides itself on building “distinctly Chicago” exquisite luxury homes. The firm’s well-crafted homes are mostly situated in Lincoln Park and the historic Gold Coast District of Chicago—affluent neighborhoods that have contributed to BGD&C’s place on “Most Expensive” lists in previous years. The company caters to a high-end clientele, like the retired Chicago Cub and All-Star pitcher Kerry Wood.

Personalizing service for every client and avoiding building spec homes has helped BGD&C become the top custom home builder in Chicago. In 2018, the firm was honored with a spot on the BOND Custom Top 100, awarded to the top 100 luxury home design firms in North America. As one of the leading custom home builders in Chicago IL, the firm was also awarded the Best in American Living Award from the NAHB and a Diamond Key Award from the HBA of Greater Chicago; it was also voted Best Builder on Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago. The firm has been featured in design magazines such as Best in American Living, Sophisticated Living, Modern Home Builder, Luxe, and Elle Decor.

In August 2018, a Lincoln Park mansion built by BGD&C was sold for $11.9 million—the highest-paid home in Chicago in 2018 thus far. The 8,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style home features six bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a grill area, and a 39-foot terrace. Finished in 2013, the stunning home covers three oversized city lots.

Goldberg General Contracting

3510 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Goldberg General Contracting is an award-winning full-service general contractor building new construction homes in Chicago. Founded by Jacob Goldberg, who serves on the board of directors of Landmarks Illinois, the firm is proud of its expertise in modern design and historic renovation and its team of highly skilled craftspeople. The firm’s homes have been featured in various publications, such as Luxe Interiors + Design, Building Design + Construction, The New York Times, and Elle Decor. It was also featured in Home and Garden Television’s “Before and After,” “New Spaces,” and “Building Character.”

In the last decade, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has awarded the firm 12 awards, and its restoration work has been honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The firm was also awarded National Custom Builder of the Year by Custom Home Magazine in 2010. Another example of the firm’s notable and award-winning projects is this ultra-modern home in Lincoln Park. It won a 2015 Distinguished Building Award from the AIA Chicago and a 2013 Custom Home of the Year National Award from Custom Home Magazine. The 10,000-square-foot residence features expansive windows, a custom-designed steel and glass staircase, and state-of-the-art smart home technology.

Highgate Builders

95 Revere Dr, Suite H, Northbrook, IL 60062

Highgate Builders is an award-winning practice whose mission is to design and build the best custom homes throughout Chicago, the North Shore, and its surrounding suburbs. The firm has over 25 years of experience in the home building industry, and under the leadership of founder and owner Jon Kogan, it has won awards and gained recognition as a Luxe Gold List Honoree in 2018 and, most recently, in 2021.

One example of the firm’s work is this custom-built stone and brick Tudor home on the beautiful North Shore. A steeply pitched roof and overlapping gables define the home’s height and structure. Exquisite brick and stonework grace the façade of the home, giving off a polished feel and quality that the interior also mirrors. Inside are large rooms outfitted with tasteful furnishings, from rich-toned wooden flooring to deep and light-painted walls that convey different moods for the diverse functions of the rooms. Overall, the home’s interior and exterior design and construction are harmonious, conferring a sense of stateliness and majesty.

Scott Simpson Builders

1529 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062

Scott Simpson Builders is an award-winning general contractor in Chicago specializing in green architecture and eco-conscious construction. The firm focuses on building new homes in the North Shore area of Chicago and has additional specialties in historic preservation. Founded by Scott Simpson, the firm has earned awards for its custom homes and historic renovations. These accolades include the “Make it Better” Best Green Builder Awards and ten Historic Preservation Awards.

The firm has also been recognized for building the first LEED Gold-Certified home in Glenview. This 9,700 square-foot transitional prairie-style home has the highest number of geothermal heat pumps of any of Simpson’s projects, maximizing renewable energy available. 10-foot ceilings provide ample natural light to the home, with state-of-the-art comforts such as six bedrooms, a finished basement with an exercise room, a wine cellar, and a sports court.

Icon Building Group

468 Woodland Chase Ln., Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Charlie Murphy founded Icon Building Group ten years ago. The company has built numerous communities throughout the Chicagoland area. It also builds homes on lots it helps its customers acquire or on lots the customer already owns. The firm’s neighborhoods and custom homes have been featured in various publications, such as Modern Home Builder, Chicago Tribune, Midwest Home Magazine, and Northwest Herald. In addition, Icon Building Group has a remodeling division that focuses on updating and enhancing all residential homes.

Icon Building Group is a big believer in giving back. As such, the firm is active in the community, building homes for various charitable organizations. The company built the St. Jude Dream Home in Vernon Hills—a luxury home for which all proceeds were donated to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Icon Building Group also built a million-dollar home in partnership with Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, with proceeds directed toward improving the quality of life for wounded veterans.

Sexton Development

49 Sherwood Terrace a100, Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Sexton Development, a residential general contractor, builds energy-efficient homes in the North Shore communities of Chicago and Southern Wisconsin. Despite the rigorous regulations surrounding green homes, the firm prides itself on retaining elegant architecture and design. It employs different styles, such as English Country and the classic Chicago Worker Cottage. Family-owned and operated for over 80 years, the firm is now run by Drew Daniels, who Professional Builder Magazine recently recognized in its Forty Under 40 List. Forest & Bluff also named Drew 2014’s Custom Home Builder of the Year. His leadership and expertise led the firm to win a 2016 Crystal Key Award for Custom Home of the Year from the HBA of Greater Chicago.

The French-Country home featured here stands out among the firm’s varied projects. Its timeless design is complemented by its efficiency. The 4,470-square-foot home is the first LEED-certified single-family residence in Lake Bluff. Inside the elegant French manor, groundbreaking waterproofing systems and all-in-one thermal and vapor barrier insulation designs are featured.

Bloomfield Development Company, LLC

2964 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 

James Schueller was practicing as a real estate attorney when he began developing a few properties on the side. He founded Bloomfield Development Company, LLC with his wife and an artisan custom cabinetry maker, Erik Walek. The combination of Schueller’s insight into real estate and Walek’s specialization in custom cabinetry has earned the firm great success and a reputation for quality service and designs.

The company builds custom homes priced between $500K and $3M in the affluent suburbs of Chicago’s North Shore. In 2012, the firm was honored by the Association of Licensed Architects (ALA) with an ALA Design Merit Award for a jewel box addition built in a Highland Park home. In 2016, the company gained national attention when two of its properties were featured on Flipping Out, a television show on Bravo TV hosted by Jeff Lewis. Schueller collaborated with Lewis and Walter E. Smithe in decorating the properties at 3716 and 3643 Lakewood Avenue.

Amrami Design + Build

Christiana, Skokie, IL 60076

Amrami Design + Build has been a luxury custom home builder in Chicago for over twenty years. Led by husband-and-wife team Benjamin and Jennifer Amrami, the firm has grown from a talented couple to a dedicated team of skilled designers and craftsmen. With a full-service in-house team, Amrami projects are designed to exceed expectations at every turn. Every home is uniquely built for each client, created using the most current construction methods with responsibly sourced materials. The firm’s process has received accolades from Modern Luxury, Elle Décor, and Architectural Digest.

Amrami’s construction approach is demonstrated by a Skokie residence built for a couple seeking a generational home. The home was centered around first-floor living, featuring a primary suite, two large offices, and living spaces for every occasion. The home combines traditional style with modern features, including opulent landscaping architecture, a focus on window design and natural light, and a large four-season backyard room for indoor-outdoor living space. While situated in an urban suburb of Chicago, this home incorporates thoughtful planning to make it feel like a getaway home.

Orren Pickell Building Group

444 Skokie Blvd, Suite 200, Wilmette, IL 60091

Orren Pickell Building Group is consistently listed among the top custom builders in the country, and it has been accoladed for some of the most beautiful homes in Windy City. The business traces its roots back to Orren Pickell’s modest house-painting business, which opened to help pay for college. Over 40 years later, Pickell’s humble enterprise has grown into an award-winning family-run building group with an extensive custom building and remodeling portfolio. Lisa Pickell, Orren’s daughter, is the company’s current president and was recently listed among the country’s Leading Women in Construction by Constructech Magazine.

The firm has received over 350 awards, including the Best Custom Builder award from Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago, multiple Key Awards from the HBA of Greater Chicago, and the prestigious Best in American Living Award from NAHB. Its work has also been featured on HGTV as one of the leading new home builders in Chicago.

Orren Pickell Building Group is behind the famous Bannockburn mansion, home to ex-Chicago Bull Kirk Hinrich. In 2018, he sold it to Olin Kreutz, an award-winning ex-NFL pro from the Chicago Bears. The lavish 9,270-square-foot mansion features a six-car garage with a sports court, a master suite with a sauna and exercise room, eight full baths, three half-baths, an in-home theater, a rec room, and a dance studio.

Dior Builders

116 W. Northwest Hwy., Clock Tower Plaza, Palatine, IL 60067 

Dior Builders was founded when Italian-born Peter Dilorio realized his entrepreneurial skills and experience remodeling a bank might allow him to own his own business. Thirty-nine years later, the family-run company has grown in size and services, providing the Barrington and North Shore suburbs with exceptional custom-built homes and luxury estates. The firm incorporates state-of-the-art technology into every project to “future-proof” each home. Dior Builders’ modern residences have been recognized in publications such as Traditional Home Magazine, LUXE Magazine, From House to Home, and The Chicago Tribune. The firm also holds multiple Gold Key Awards from the HBA of Greater Chicago.

One of the firm’s notable projects has been dubbed the “Healthy Home.” Built in Long Grove, this house is the first in the nation to meet the strict 2009 building standards from the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. The manor features the latest sustainable technology, focusing on air quality and water conservation.

Environs Development

3060 N Lincoln Ave # 1, Chicago, IL 60657

With signature project features, including innovative design and practical utility, Environs Development has proven to be one of Chicago’s premier luxury home general contractors. The firm has completed over 150 homes in Chicago’s higher-end neighborhoods, including Lincoln Park and Bucktown. The firm is guided by its principal and founder, Ken Brinkman, who founded this Chicago area custom home builder after obtaining a degree in Architectural studies from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Brinkman ensures that the firm’s team of architects, designers, and contractors works together seamlessly on each project and fosters good relationships with each client.

The firm saw great success in 2012 when it was honored with five Best in American Living Awards (BALA) at the 2012 International Home Builders Show.  The firm built five luxury homes near the North Side of Chicago, and it also received awards in the category “Best in the Region.”

MK Construction & Builders, Inc.

2000 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

When Marcin Kawa founded MK Construction & Builders, Inc., he aimed to offer outstanding residential construction services to his growing Chicago clientele. Today, the firm has over a decade of experience in new home construction and remodeling and specializes in designing modern and contemporary homes that are attuned to Chicago’s urban aesthetic and landscape.

The MK team is fluent in the language of construction, offering comprehensive services from concept to completion. The team’s skill begins with blueprints and extends to the hand-selection of upscale finishes and amenities. One example of the firm’s work is this gorgeous North Park residence. The 5,600 square-foot home faces the street, granting the homeowners a magnificent view through the massive panel of windows that make up the home’s façade. Inside, you will find brightly lit rooms, a master bath that leads to a large walk-in closet, wooden-paneled staircases, and an open-concept living room and kitchen.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of builders, 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 Chicago, Illinois 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.

How can I find a home builder near me?

Read our latest articles on the best home builders near Chicago. 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 Illinois

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.