The Best Custom Home Builders in Los Angeles, California

Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 12:58 am

Are you dreaming of building your custom home in Los Angeles? Nowadays, it seems impossible because of the rising cost of materials and services needed to complete a home. After all, building your dream home is not just a financial investment but also an emotional one. The stakes are high, with the average custom home build being between $250,000 and $1,000,000, and sometimes even soaring to $2 million for high-end projects. These projects can also stretch over 18 months, barring any unexpected hiccups—which, in construction, are all too common. But did you know you can build your dream home without exceeding your budget?

With its 3.8 million residents and median home value nearing the $1 million mark, Los Angeles symbolizes architectural ambition and diversity. The city’s vibrant mix of architectural styles and diverse neighborhoods offers a unique backdrop for crafting your dream home. Yet, within this sprawling urban landscape lies the challenge of finding the right partner to bring your custom home dreams to life. The city’s size reflects the many options in custom home builders, with 204 contractors specializing in custom home builds, as per permit data from the L. A. building department, making choosing carefully important. Luckily, some of the best yet affordable custom home builders in Los Angeles have the expertise to make your dream home happen. 

Finding the right contractor is not just about finding someone who can build; it’s about finding a construction partner who understands your vision, respects your budget, and navigates the complexities of Los Angeles’ building regulations and landscapes. Choosing a contractor you can rely on saves time, money, and the stress of building your home. Custom home building begins with this crucial decision, and the right choice can lead to your forever home.

Overview: The Best Custom Home Builders in Los Angeles, California

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

Houck Construction Inc.

1531 Pontius Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025

A home that strikes the balance between function and luxury is what Houck Construction is all about. From remodeling homes to building from the ground up, the firm carefully integrates what its clients are looking for into construction. The premium design/build company, led by David Houck, has pioneered over a thousand residential and commercial projects all over Los Angeles County. For over 30 years, the team has worked with several renowned architects and designers in California. Some include Barton Phelps, FAIA, William Hablinski, AIA, Michael Berman, and Frank Pennino. Its contribution to construction has been recognized with various distinctions, including the Remodeling Magazine Big 50 and SF Gate. 

Houck Construction builds homes from traditional to contemporary styles. Take, for example, this charming farmhouse in Bel Air Crest. It features a simple yet elegant country-inspired exterior. Going into the home, owners will be welcomed by a warm and inviting mix of modern and rustic design. In addition to its seamless flow, each corner of this house displays a fun element, including a jukebox, arcade games, a wine cellar, and a stunning open-concept kitchen. If these are not enough, the team provided the home with an abundance of glass windows to maximize the serene view of California.

Houck Construction builds homes from traditional to contemporary styles. Take, for example, this charming farmhouse in Bel Air Crest. It features a simple yet elegant country-inspired exterior. Going into the home, owners will be welcomed by a warm and inviting mix of modern and rustic design. In addition to its seamless flow, each corner of this house displays a fun element including a jukebox, arcade games, a wine cellar, and a stunning open concept kitchen. If these are not enough, the team provided the home with an abundance of glass windows to maximize the serene view of California. 

Allen Construction

24955 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265

When Dennis Allen started Allen Construction over three decades ago, he was adamant about combining excellent construction quality with green building. Dennis has incorporated eco-friendly strategies with his company’s work, from construction techniques to proper planning and design, to ensure that every building they finish has used sustainable building materials and is energy efficient. Their outstanding work quality and eco-consciousness have given them a reputation for being one of Los Angeles’s most valued green home builders. The company’s principles and projects have also been featured in articles such as California Home+Design, Seasons Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and Nicki and Karen.

The company is a pioneer in the green building movement, and it’s easy to see their emphasis on green home construction. This LEED Platinum Modern Masterpiece is among the works that was built for actor Bryan Cranston. The oceanfront home features a passive solar design, a high-performance exterior shell, and modern construction. This impressive home has been featured in Ventura Monthly, Dwell Magazine, and given the USGBC Central Coast Green Home Award. Other distinctions of the firm include Best of Independent, SBCA High-Performance LEED, SBCA Residential Remodel (over $2 million), and a Chrysalis Decade of Excellence. 

The company is a pioneer in the green building movement, and it’s easy to see the emphasis they put on green home construction. Among its works is this LEED Platinum Modern Masterpiece built for actor Bryan Cranston. The oceanfront home features a passive solar design and high-performance exterior shell in addition to its modern construction. This impressive home has been featured in Ventura Monthly, Dwell Magazine, and given the USGBC Central Coast Green Home Award. Other distinctions of the firm include Best of Independent, SBCA High-Performance LEED, SBCA Residential Remodel (over $2 million), and a Chrysalis Decade of Excellence. 

Tyler Development Corporation

1932 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025

Integrity, quality, and professionalism: these three foundational concepts have propelled Tyler Development Corporation to industry success since 1980. The company’s principal, Ron Udall, with the help of his team of top residential architects and experts, has built more than 275 luxury custom homes in the Los Angeles metro area. As a LEED-certified firm, Tyler Development’s impressive quality of work and professionalism has been featured in the industry’s leading magazines and publications, such as Architectural Digest, Luxe, Robb Report, California Homes, and Los Angeles Magazine.

Tyler Development’s styles range from Modern to Italian Renaissance-inspired architectures. The firm’s work reflects its keen knowledge of modern and classic styles while highlighting a palette of natural colors and materials. Its signature projects have proven how the team can transform their clients’ most intimate ideas and concepts into stunning architectural wonders. Because of its stunning homes, the firm has been repeatedly recognized with Gold Nugget Awards for Best Custom Home 5,000 to 10,000 Square Unit and Best Renovated or Restored Single House-Private Residence categories. 

Tyler Development’s styles range Modern to Italian Renaissance-inspired architectures. The firm’s work reflects its keen knowledge of modern and classic styles while highlighting a palette of natural colors and materials. Its signature projects have proven how the team can transform their clients’ most intimate ideas and concepts into stunning architectural wonders. Because of its stunning homes, the firm has been repeatedly recognized with Gold Nugget Awards for Best Custom Home 5,000 to 10,000 Square Unit and Best Renovated or Restored Single House-Private Residence categories. 

Beachcraft

124 Center St.1st Floor, El Segundo, CA 90245

Beachcraft, previously known as Shawn Nelson Builders, has been providing high-end home remodeling services for Los Angeles. Their work in luxury home construction has produced an impressive portfolio. The firm is a trustworthy high-end home builder committed to core principles that ensure sturdy relationships with clients and partners alike. Beachcraft’s homes have a spacious, welcoming gentility to their design. The lack of clutter in both the interior and exterior emphasizes the beauty found in simplicity.

Their work has been featured in several magazines, including Digs, Ocean Home, Tuscan Style, Coastal Living, Sunset, Luxe, and California Homes. One of its notable works is the Chaparal Street home in Brentwood. Beachcraft worked in collaboration with architect Jon Wolf Designs and Jon Wolf & Larry Moffett. It features an open concept that seamlessly flows from one room to the other. The home’s spacious design also blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living, taking advantage of Los Angeles’ scenic surroundings. 

Their work has been featured in several magazines including Digs, Ocean Home, Tuscan Style, Coastal Living, Sunset, Luxe, and California Homes. One of its notable works is the Chaparal Street home located in Brentwood. Beachcraft worked in collaboration with architect Jon Wolf Designs and Jon Wolf & Larry Moffett. It features an open concept that seamlessly flows from one room to the other. The home’s spacious design also blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living that takes advantage of Los Angeles’ scenic surroundings.

Silicon Bay

725 Cypress Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Silicon Bay is a Los Angeles luxury home developer established by founder Christian Salceda in 2005. Salceda, along with business partner Ryan Schlee, brings a career in Real Estate Finance and years of experience to the firm. They can quickly assess a project’s parameters and provide their clients with a clear picture of the result. The firm has appeared in several publications, including California Home & Design, HGTV Front Door, and Yahoo! Homes.

Their work even made the front page of South Bay Digs in the December 2016 issue, showcasing the firm’s 6th Street Hill Section luxury beach home. This home was constructed in a modern-contemporary style with a minimalist interior that leads guests to a perfect sunset view on the sundeck. Many of their homes mirror this minimalist composition, but they do not confine themselves to one design style: they also do beautiful Spanish-style beach homes, for instance.

Their work even made the front page of South Bay Digs in the December 2016 issue, showcasing the firm’s 6th Street Hill Section luxury beach home, which was constructed in a modern-contemporary style that features a minimalist interior that leads guests to a perfect sunset view on the sundeck. Many of their homes mirror this minimalist composition, but they do not confine themselves to one design style: they also do beautiful Spanish-style beach homes, for instance.

Farnsworth Builders

4943 McConnell, Unit E, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Farnsworth Builders is characterized by its strong passion for creating homes that balance comfort and luxury. Owner Wes Farnsworth is a hands-on leader with a rich background in home construction. Alongside him is a team of seasoned designers and builders actively collaborating with clients and peers in the industry. Since 2008, the firm has been responsible for building upscale homes across Southern California. This commitment to custom home construction has created an outstanding reputation for the firm, its team, and its work.  

Farnsworth Builders’ portfolio further highlights the team’s expertise with noteworthy homes. Take, for example, the Panama Residence located in Venice. It features a modern, contemporary luxe design positioned on Architect’s Row, completed in 2019. The three-story home displays a spacious interior, abundant glass windows allowing natural light to fill the house, and several amenities. Some of its amenities that owners can enjoy daily include a sauna, an open shower layout, and a rooftop deck that gives a perfect 360 view of Los Angeles and a warm sunset. 

Farnsworth Builders’ portfolio further highlights the team’s expertise with noteworthy homes. Take, for example, the Panama Residence located in Venice. It features a modern contemporary luxe design positioned on Architect’s Row which was completed in 2019. The three-story home displays a spacious interior, an abundance of glass windows allowing natural light to fill the home, and several amenities. Some of its amenities that owners can enjoy from day to day include a sauna, open shower layout, and a rooftop deck that gives a perfect 360 views of Los Angeles and warm sunset. 

Jones Builders Group

21323 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265

Unlike other development projects, custom home building demands a more personal approach. You’re creating a structural work of art, and the Jones Builders Group understands contractors’ crucial role in helping transform their client’s vision into reality. Nathan Jones and David Charvet are the driving forces behind the company’s impressive reputation. They have made their company one of Los Angeles’s top-tier development firms, guided by a shared vision: to create unique architectural masterpieces and to satisfy their clients’ most exquisite tastes.

The firm’s collaborations with high-profile architect Doug Burdge further elevated their rank in the Los Angeles development scene, landing notable new home and family home projects that lean toward the modern, contemporary, and French styles. Some of their works have occupied spreads in major publications like Malibu Magazine, the LA Times, the Malibu Surfside News, and a television appearance on Entertainment Tonight.

The firm’s collaborations with high-profile architect Doug Burdge further elevated their rank in the Los Angeles development scene, landing notable new home and family home projects that lean toward the modern, contemporary, and French styles. Some of their works have occupied spreads in major publications like Malibu Magazine, the L.A. Times, the Malibu Surfside News, and a television appearance on Entertainment Tonight.

Mega Builders

21021 Devonshire St. Suite #102, Chatsworth, CA 91311

Mega Builders is a Los Angeles general contractor that extends its services to most of Southern California. With 30 years in the construction industry, Mega Builders has accumulated many accomplishments, working mostly on residential projects such as home remodeling and custom home construction. Their company has a broad range of experience in dealing with family homes, especially transforming broken houses into fantastic modernized remodels while maintaining or changing the style as the client’s desires dictate. Most large-scale projects are completed in less than two months. 

The company’s president, Alan Toker, completed his first custom home in 1991, which was featured in the Los Angeles Times Home Tour. Years after starting the firm, Mega Builders has been featured in various publications such as The Journal of Light Construction, The Los Angeles Times, and Home & Architectural Trends.

The company’s president, Alan Toker, completed his first custom home in 1991, which then went on to be featured in the Los Angeles Times Home Tour. Years after starting the firm, Mega Builders has been featured in various publications such as The Journal of Light Construction, The Los Angeles Times, and Home & Architectural Trends.

Gallo Builders Incorporated

1105 North Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Gallo Builders Incorporated is one of the leading Los Angeles County home builders with over 30 years of experience. Chris Gallo leads this group of highly-trained construction professionals behind some of the most beautiful homes along the coastline of Laguna Beach and Park City. Gallo’s team is committed to building unique homes for clients. They offer construction services, cost engineering, subcontractor selection, full-service construction supervision, and maintenance service after completing the project. 

Gallo Builders’ portfolio consists mainly of high-end, contemporary homes and residences emphasizing asymmetric forms, glasswork, and greenery. Gallo has also been included on the 2014, 2016, and 2017 Luxe Gold Lists for its work. Because of its excellent work, Gallo is no stranger to media attention. Several of its projects have appeared in prominent design publications such as Luxe Interiors, Riviera, and M Magazine.

Gallo Builders’ portfolio consists mainly of high-end, contemporary homes and residences that emphasize asymmetric forms, glasswork, and greeneries. Gallo has also been included on the 2014, 2016, and 2017 Luxe Gold Lists for their work. Because of its excellent works, Gallo is no stranger to media attention. Several of its projects have appeared in prominent design publications such as Luxe Interiors, Riviera, and M Magazine.

Joel & Co. Construction

11693 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Joel & Co. Construction has become one of the largest general contractors in Los Angeles since 1983. Its work covers general contracting, custom home building, and commercial construction. The second-generation firm led by Joel Portillo is licensed to work all over Southern California. Portillo’s experience as a foreman has given him insight into what clients want and need to see in a contractor, building a sense of reliability and top-notch craftsmanship. He poured this knowledge into creating an ethical and efficient team of builders. Throughout the years, the firm has grown in size yet remains focused on delivering homes that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of its clients. 

As a seasoned builder accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, Portillo and his team understand the complexities of home building. More than its technical and legal aspects, home building is a process of turning visions into reality. This modern contemporary home in Beverly Hills is a perfect illustration of this process. This newly built custom home features an abundance of glass and wood materials. The open-concept single-story design seamlessly transitions from one space to another. Its unobstructed glass walls and windows bring in plenty of natural light and blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.  

Kavin Construction

3814 Willat Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90232

Kavin Construction is best known for its ability to navigate the steep hills and rocky coastlines that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Founder Michael Kavin found his passion in construction by working for lumber companies throughout his summer. In 1975, Kavin built his construction company and has assembled a portfolio of carefully crafted estates in the Mediterranean and contemporary styles. Its team is well-versed in providing superficial elements paired with its technical expertise. This resulted in Michael Kavin being recognized as an expert witness for the State of California regarding construction disputes. 

The firm primarily builds estates in Los Angeles, Brentwood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, and Pacific Palisades. Over the last few years, the firm’s works have been featured in Architectural Digest, West Los Angeles Living, InStyle, House Beautiful, Sunset, and Bazaar. On a lighter note, Kavin Construction worked on actress Zooey Deschanel’s blue home. Kavin’s team built custom blue kitchen cabinets, nautical flooring, and brass accents to resemble a navy-inspired home. In addition, the firm also had the chance to work with one of Adele’s homes in Los Angeles County.

The firm primarily builds estates in Los Angeles, Brentwood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, and Pacific Palisades. Over the last few years, the firm’s works have been featured in Architectural Digest, West Los Angeles Living, InStyle, House Beautiful, Sunset, and Bazaar. On a lighter note, Kavin Construction worked on actress Zooey Deschanel’s blue home. Kavin’s team built custom blue kitchen cabinets, nautical flooring, and brass accents to resemble a navy-inspired home. In addition, the firm also had the chance of working with one of Adele’s homes in Los Angeles county. 

Dugally Oberfeld, Inc.

484 S San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048

Regarding high-end luxury custom homes, Dugally-Oberfeld, Inc. is one of the most renowned Los Angeles County home builders. Matt Dugally and Mauricio Oberfeld head the firm, bringing their impressive industry credentials. Their main strengths may be Dugally and Oberfeld’s highly detailed involvement in home-building. This in-depth approach to high-end construction and luxury home customization helps them realize their clients’ visions. Over the years, publications such as the Luxury Home Quarterly, Luxe, California Homes, Architect Magazine, and The Perfect Home: Leading Custom Home Builders have celebrated these stunning works. 

The company’s development projects re-introduce the allure of the classics. Some of these include Tuscan villas, Mediterranean, and French chateaus. Two of the firm’s notable works are the Nightingale Residence and the Oberfeld Residence in Los Angeles. Their collaboration with Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA, in these projects, delivered a 2012 RADA Merit Award and a CHDA 2012 award for the Custom Home category. It’s no wonder Dugally-Oberfeld is a household name to the rich and famous, catering to Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Geena Davis, and Kelsey Grammer.

The company’s development projects re-introduce the allure of the classics. Some of these include Tuscan villas, Mediterranean, and French chateaus. Two of the firm’s notable works are the Nightingale Residence and the Oberfeld Residence in Los Angeles. In these projects, their collaboration with Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA, delivered a 2012 RADA Merit Award and a CHDA 2012 award, respectively, for the Custom Home category. It’s no wonder Dugally-Oberfeld is a household name to the rich and famous, catering to Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Geena Davis, and Kelsey Grammer.

JD Group Incorporated

1537 Pontius Ave., Suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90025

When it comes to remarkable homes, JD Group has no shortage of LA home beauties to show you. The firm builds in prominent gated communities, including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Malibu. Dan McGhee established the firm more than 25 years ago. He remains committed to the deep roots of construction integrity and high-quality builds he planted in the company. The firm’s owner and project management teams prioritize enhancing their clients’ home-building experiences. They also want people on the design team and their subcontractors to have a good experience. This communal approach assures a great work culture, which leads to great communication with the client, all of which means a quality build.

Their work—sprawling estates in the veins of Mediterranean, Modern, French, or Tuscan styles – has attracted significant media attention. Prominent design publications Robb Report, Collection, Private Estate, Luxe, Modern to Classic, California Romantica, and California Homes have all featured the firm’s impressive projects. In a Beverly Park residence, the firm fused modern and French styles. Gold accents, vaulted ceilings, and black ironwork accentuate this marble estate. In the Strand, the JD team worked on a contemporary coastal home. It’s worth pointing out that the firm offers luxury, high-end quality buildings, and its designs come with sustainable options that mean a home will consume fewer resources. 

Their work—sprawling estates in the veins of Mediterranean, Modern, French, or Tuscan styles – has attracted significant media attention. Prominent design publications Robb Report, Collection, Private Estate, Luxe, Modern to Classic, California Romantica, and California Homes have all featured the firm’s impressive projects. In a Beverly Park residence, the firm fused modern and French styles. This marble estate is accentuated by gold accents, vaulted ceilings, and black ironwork. In the Strand, the JD team worked on a contemporary coastal home. It’s worth pointing out that the firm offers luxury, high-end quality buildings and their designs come with sustainable options that mean a home will consume fewer resources.

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 best custom home builders in the Los Angeles 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 contractor or home builder near me?

Read our latest articles on the best residential contractors and home builders in and near Los Angeles. If you don’t see your city or project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

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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.