Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 01:47 pm
Kansas City has a large variation of home styles. In the historic Northeast neighborhood by the Missouri river, you’ll find styles that became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries such as Queen Anne, which often feature a steep gabled roof and tower with bay windows. Other historic styles include the American Foursquare, a simple box-shaped house typically with four rooms, a large central dormer, and a large porch with columns. Between 1900 and 1920, Kansas developed its own variation of the American Foursquare known as the Kansas Shirtwaist, which can be spotted around various neighborhoods.
Perhaps the most common home style in Kansas City is the Bungalow. It is so pervasive that the Kansas City Bungalow Club is a real thing, and the club’s founder estimates there are about 10,000 bungalow homes in the area. With a low-pitched roof, wide eave overhangs, and a full-width porch, these homes are economical and became popular in the early 20th century through publications and mail-order catalogs from companies like Sears, Roebuck, and Co.
More recently, many new homes are located in planned neighborhoods that have common themes and styles. While most custom home builders work from a base selection of existing plans, many details such as finishes, fixtures, and even floor plans can be tailored to fit the needs of each client. Whether you’re looking to build a cozy bungalow or a more modern home with a Midwestern twist, we’ve found 15 of the best custom home builders in Kansas City that can help you build it. For this list, we only considered builders that offer some customization to their new homes. We also prioritized those that produce high-quality homes over the number of homes and took awards, publications, reviews, and work history into consideration.
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. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Kansas City, check out our cost guide article.
13) Encore Building Company
10502 N Ambassador Dr. Suite #230, Kansas City, MO 64153
Encore Building Company is one of Kansas City’s highly acclaimed custom home builders. Recently, the company was the Silver Pick of the 2018 Fall Parade of Homes Award Winner. As well as the 2017 Parade of Homes- Distinctive Plan & Design Grand Award Winner. In 2015, Encore was the 1st runner-up for the American Dream Award.
They are known for building high-quality homes at affordable prices around the Kansas City Metro area. They find ways to make the custom home building process as smooth and easy for their clients. President of Encore, Brian Colvin, has been a project supervisor for over 19 years who works closely with Russ Groshans, Encore’s Vice President. Its owners and operators have more than 40 years of collective experience in building homes. The team of contractors, designers, and project managers have built numerous homes together. The company is one of the few residential contractors in Kansas City that builds original and personalized custom homes.
12) Cornelius Homes
11021 S Glenview Ln., Olathe, KS 66061
Cornelius Homes crafts uniquely designed homes in Kansas City. The company is a small custom home building business which is owned by Kirk Cornelius, a homebuilder since 1987. They believe that the size of their company doesn’t determine their success in the industry but instead, it is about their years of experience and the favorable service they provide.
Homes built by Kirk Cornelius are often in the rustic, traditional, or contemporary styles, and standard features across their homes make them easier to identify. The company’s works are commonly built in suburban areas with a land area of 20 acres or more. The firm works closely with some of the finest architects in the city, including Scott Bickford of Bickford + Company. Projects built by Cornelius Homes in collaboration with Bickford have won reputable awards such as Kansas City Homes & Gardens Home of the Year Award in 2011 and 2014.
11) Owen Homes
113 S Bridge St., Smithville, MO 64089
Owen Homes specialize in building custom homes that are modern, unique and energy-efficient. Through the use of advanced construction technologies and materials, they recommend chic and stylish designs. For 14 years, this design-build firm has been delivering outstanding construction services to aspiring homeowners in various locations within the Kansas City metro area.
Though his firm was established fairly recently, Luke Owen has already won multiple awards and recognition for his sustainable custom homes. Many clients favor him not only because of his knowledge of business and construction but also because of his efforts in building projects that help protect the environment. Luke is an innovative high-performance green builder with certifications from LEED and Energy Star, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Some of his awards include the Keystone Award 2013, the Best of Northland 2014 and the Gold Award in the Home Builder category from the Northland Clay County Economic Development Council- an organization that supports small businesses in Clay County by offering loans, education and workforce programs. Most of his projects are built in Urban North, new development along the North Oak Trafficway.
10) Todd Hill Homes
19532 Metcalf Ave. Suite B, Stilwell, KS 66085
Todd Hill had a passion for custom homes long before he founded Todd Hill Homes. Among all the builders in this list, Todd Hill is the only builder who started his first construction company before the age of 21. He initially worked for a large residential construction company that specialized in installing infrastructure and later worked as a project manager for a developer in a premier community. After many years of building strong relationships with some of the most respected residential developers in town, Todd hill established his business in 2010 and is now one of the most sought after builders in Johnson County.
His customers are pleased with his construction services because of his honesty, transparency, attention to detail and outstanding craftsmanship. One of his most notable clients is a TV reality star from the show, “The Bachelor in Paradise” The celebrity’s home along with other Todd Hill projects located in Johnson County are featured in magazines such as the Kansas City Homes and Style Top Homes.
9) Don Julian Builders
15521 W 110th St., Lenexa, KS 66219
Don Julian Builders has been in the business for more than 40 years. Don Julian, owner and operator of the company, offers innovative design-build services that create high quality and impressive custom homes. His works usually feature modern and contemporary styles which are designs that are frequently talked about today. An example of his work is a residential project in Terrybrook Farms. The home features a mixture of contemporary and traditional designs emphasizing the elegance of its living and dining areas.
This design-build firm was established shortly after Don Julian left his role as the Director of Engineering in an east coast Fortune 500 company. He discovered his passion for building custom homes when he built his own home for his family and decided to make it a full-time business.
Since establishing his business, he has captured the attention of famous publications such as Professional Builders Magazine who listed the company as one of the top 400 builders in the United States. Meanwhile, Builder’s Magazine, another well-known publication, placed him as one of the top five builders of the top 50 single housing markets in the nation. Over the course of 40 years, he has built over 2,000 luxury homes in the Kansas metro area totaling a billion dollars in value. The firm’s projects have received multiple awards such as Pick of the Parade from Parade of Homes, Effective Design, and first place for K.C.’s Best Kitchen and Baths.
8) Madi Mali Homes
8625 College Blvd. Suite #101, Overland Park, KS 66210
Madi Mali Homes specializes in building boutique-style custom homes in Kansas City. Their superior craftsmanship and a sharp eye for details are skills that they have mastered in their years of building homes of many styles from Modern Victorian to Custom Craftsman.
Troy A. Moore, the owner of Madi Mali Homes, is a hands-on builder who is involved in the building process every step of the way. He comes from a family that has been in the construction industry for many years, helping him become making him an excellent craftsman and designer. He graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Construction Management and Architecture Technology. After six years of working as a Building Inspector, he discovered his passion for constructing custom homes and was inspired to launch his own company in 2003. Madi Mali Homes have won many awards through the years and have been featured in multiple KC home and designer magazines.
7) Dreams and Design Building
17501 Verona Rd., Overland Park, KS 66085
Dreams and Design Building (D & D Building Inc.) is an award-winning luxury home builder known for exceeding energy efficiency standards. While most green homes are 30% more energy efficient than the average home, D&D Building builds homes that are 45% or more efficient. This design-build firm is known for constructing one-of-a-kind, enduring, high quality, and energy efficient homes in the KC area. Kevin Stallings, CGP (certified green professional) is the owner/builder who leads a team of designers, superintendents, and associates that ensure a smooth & efficient process for each homeowner that wishes to design & build a home of their dreams!
Dreams and Design Building currently builds in KS & MO. Specifically in Shawnee, Overland Park, Basehor, Johnson County, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Grain Valley, Raymore, and also on Acreage. Kevin Stallings takes pride in molding a raw piece of land into a beautifully situated home. It takes 28 years of industry experience for Mr. Stallings to claim to be a top expert in home construction. Contact them to visit all 6 beautifully furnished model homes.
6) Casa Bella Construction
10502 N Ambassador Dr. Suite #230, Kansas City, MO 64153
Casa Bella Construction is a custom home builder that produces homes worth $300,000 and up. They build homes in the most sophisticated neighborhoods in Kansas City such as Riss Lake and Stonegate. They offer a wide array of architectural designs, from European to Traditional styles. Providing a variety of options are important, according to president and owner of Casa Bella, Russ Groshans, because today’s homeowners are discerning when it comes to designing and building their custom homes.
Some of its latest awards are from the Home Builders Association including 2017 Pick of the Parade Grand Winner Award, 2017 Distinctive Design & Plan Grand Award Winner and 2016 Kansas City Homes & Style Top Homes of the Year Award Winner. They are also featured in reputable publications like Kansas City Homes and Styles 2016 Edition and Artisan Home Tour Greater Kansas City.
5) Larson Building Company
10346 State Line Rd., Leawood, KS 66206
Larson Building Company is an award-winning builder of uniquely designed and energy-efficient luxury homes. The homes built by the company are worth up to $750,000 and are easy to spot in wealthy neighborhoods like Mill Farms and Loch Lloyd.
These homes are frequently selected by the Home Builders Association for the Parade of Homes competition. They deserve the long list of awards they received in the past years for rendering home building services to affluent communities in Greater Kansas City for many years. Some of their most recent wins include the Parade of Homes Pick of the Parade Grand Award Winner in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
4) B.L. Rieke Custom Homes
14352 W 96th Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66215
Founder Bruce L. “B.L.” Rieke was immersed in the building industry from a young age. Since establishing his design-build firm in 1989, he has produced over 1,100 personalized and high-quality homes throughout Kansas City. The team is capable of constructing homes with intricate features from stunning entryways to multiple family living areas which are all optimized to be energy-efficient.
An example of their award-winning projects is their most recent luxury model home under $1.5 million built-in 2017 which is called Ashlynne, located in the Cottonwood Canyon Subdivision of Lenexa. The home features a perfect blend of traditional, modern and rustic designs which won Pick of the Parade Gold Award and the Distinctive Plan & Design First Place Award in the 2017 Fall Parade of Homes. B.L. Rieke has also received the Gold Home of the Year award from the Kansas City Home & Gardens (KCH&G).
3) Cecil and Ray Homes
30195 W 135th St., Olathe, KS 66061
Cecil and Ray Homes specialize in building high-quality custom homes on either side of the state border. They offer many luxurious custom home designs in various styles including Mediterranean, Tuscan Old World-style, Traditional or Contemporary. They also use design features that meet the needs of persons with disabilities and senior citizens. The company offers the best designs for families that live a modern lifestyle. In addition to custom home building, the company offers large home additions, whole-house remodels, and other major home construction projects.
Owners Bryan Cecil and Ryan Ray have the qualities of award-winning builders. They are exceptional craftsmen and project managers who have a sharp eye for detail and are personally involved in the whole building process. For many years, the firm has been winning awards from the Home Builders Association and the Kansas City Homes and Gardens.
One of their most recent projects is a $1.5 million, 4,800 square-foot smart home. A publication elaborates the home’s advanced features, including “… heated driveways and a heated path to a luxury hot tub. It has 11 in-wall Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers, in-wall iPads and Lutron lighting that can be controlled with a cell phone, tablet or by voice.” This 2018 custom smart-home won the Gold Medal from the American Dream Award this year.
2) Starr Homes
7555 W 160th St., Overland Park, KS 66085
Among all the builders in this list, Starr Homes is the only company that is a member of 20 Clubs, a high-end builders organization arranged by NAHB. In just 12 years, Starr Homes already has a reputation for integrity, superior planning, quality construction/materials and sufficient use of money through energy-efficient building techniques. The Starr brothers combined their expertise in construction management, accounting, and engineering to develop a firm that that delivers first-rate construction services, producing homes that are meticulously and carefully designed. Their homes were featured in prominent magazines such as Kansas City Homes & Gardens, Kansas City Homes & Styles, and Artisan Home Tour Greater Kansas City.
One of the homes they built in Western Shawnee caught the attention of the Hollywood press when John Legend and Chrissy Teigen found this home through Airbnb and stayed there for a few days. Stacey Puliatti, one of the designers of the Western Shawnee home, described the home like a fairy tale. With a surrounding environment that resembles the legendary hills of France, the exterior of the house is inspired by the French Chateaus. Its most enchanting feature is the free-form infinity saltwater pool where families can relax and sunbathe while preparing a barbecue party. The home was featured in Kansas City Home & Style magazine and the popular showbiz news website TMZ. Starr Homes has won numerous awards from the Parade of Homes competition and Kansas City Homes & Gardens magazine.
1) Homoly Construction
924 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64106
Homoly Construction is one of Kansas City’s well-known custom home building and commercial construction companies. They’ve built homes in high-end areas such as Mission Hills, Loose Park, West Plaza, Ward Parkway and the rest of the Kansas City metropolitan area since 1997.
Andy Homily, the founder of this construction company, strives to make his company stand out among other home builders by providing excellent services with the use of state-of-the-art systems and technology. He offers custom homes with a spectrum of styles from Colonial, Classical Georgian, Traditional, Craftsman, contemporary, and modern styles.
One of his works was a 3,600 square-foot home located in Weatherby Lake City. It has features that resemble a lighthouse to match the scenic view of Weatherby Lake. This home won a Home of the Year Silver Award from Kansas City Home & Gardens magazine.
How can I find a custom home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders across Missouri. 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 St. Louis
Custom home builders in Missouri
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.
