Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 01:42 pm
Beautiful homes of various styles are prevalent throughout Orlando and the surrounding areas. Winter Park, a city near Orlando and a hot spot for “Snowbirds,” features Italianate and Mediterranean-inspired homes on oak-lined, cobblestone streets. Celebration, near Walt Disney World, is modeled after small American towns from the early 1900s and is reminiscent of a Hollywood movie set, while Downtown Orlando features historic bungalows and Craftsman homes.
Building these homes throughout Orlando and its surrounding areas are talented custom home builders, of which the top 14 are listed here. These builders were selected based on their accolades, press recognition, and notable projects.
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 Orlando, check out our cost guide article.
Hawk Custom Homes
1524 E Livingston St. Orlando, FL 32803
This sprawling single-story home in Orlando opens to a high-ceiling living room anchored by a stone fireplace wall. A powder room magically appears within the beadboard walls by the entryway. The ceiling drops over the kitchen, which features a massive waterfall-edge marble eat-in center island that seats up to six diners. The same gray and white marble appears in the backsplash behind the range and the glossy white cabinets. To the left is the sunlit dining area, which features a steel-framed glass table surrounded by six gray plush seats. The master bedroom continues the gray theme in its shiplap walls and wood-top bedside tables. The master bath features a large glass-doored alcove shower. Sliding doors from the living room lead to the backyard space where there is a covered outdoor grill and a large in-ground pool.
Third-generation Orlando native Chris Harrison leads Hawk Custom Homes, the firm behind this home. Harrison has over 20 years of experience in the Central Florida real estate and construction industry. He and the firm have been building and renovating homes in this area since 2004. Hawk Custom Homes is a member of the Greater Orlando Builders Association.
R.W. Jones Construction, Inc.
250 Owl Haven Cove, Geneva, FL 32732
Since 1983, R.W. Jones Construction has been building custom homes of all shapes and sizes. Along with custom new residences, the firm provides residential renovations, remodels, and additions to existing homes as well as commercial new construction and renovation.
In its early years of operation, the firm mostly conducted small projects, such as deck building and roofing. Today, the firm creates everything from modest homes to high-end estates in Alaqua and Isleworth. R.W. Jones favors organic and rustic aesthetics achieved by exposed wooden ceiling beams, natural materials like brick and stone, and neutral palettes. The firm’s modern homes often feature open layouts in order to create a light and airy feel.
Its clientele is also worth mentioning, as the firm has built homes for actor Wesley Snipes, grocery magnate Jonathan Gooding, Daytona International Speedway owner Bill France, and the Cincinnati Reds’ Barry Larkin.
Meridian Homes
1810 Chippewa Trail, Maitland, FL 32751
Since 2009, Meridian Homes has been building polished custom homes and completing beautiful renovations for the residents of Central Florida. The firm’s modern homes in the Ranch, Craftsman, and industrial styles are loved by many clients for their form, function, and affordability.
Founding members Howard Axner and Ryan Courech both have the business and building know-how to bring the company to the forefront of Florida’s home building industry. Axner is a successful entrepreneur who ventured into real estate and custom home building, while Courech is a finance professional who earned his general contractor license and real estate license.
One of the firm’s most notable projects is this modern Craftsman home, which is a perfect example of the firm’s innovative take on traditional architecture and modern design. The 2018 Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA) Parade of Homes winner blends smooth lines and monochromatic details with earth tones and organic features. Sustainably harvested, exotic Brazilian hardwood takes center stage in the home’s exterior, while handcrafted ironwork is paired with lightly stained wood for the staircase.
Akers Custom Homes
166 Terra Mango Loop, Suite #200 Orlando, FL 32835
Akers Custom Homes is a premier custom home builder that has benefited from the handing down of passion and expertise from one generation to the next. The firm was founded in 1988 by Bill Akers, who sought to provide quality homes to the residents of southwest Orange County. His son, Jim, joined the company in 1992 and eventually assumed leadership of the firm in 1997.
Jim is joined by the company’s vice president, Bud Brinker, who brings more than 25 years of commercial and high-end residential construction experience to the table. Moreover, Brinker has a history of building some of the most elaborate custom homes ranging from 2,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Together, Jim and Brinker have built homes that have been recognized by various publications, such as Florida Design and Florida Architecture.
This magnificent custom home in Winter Park is a great example of how the firm effectively collaborates with architects and designers to create beautiful homes. The 13,000-square foot, Modern Contemporary residence was built in collaboration with Jackson Kirschner Architects. The home is brought to life by clean lines and dark trimming. Forest greens and textured marble add an organic feel to the home, while the open floor plan gives abundant light to the space.
LunDev Custom Homes
213 W Comstock Ave., Winter Park, FL
Winter Park-based LunDev Custom Homes is a full-service residential company that builds sophisticated homes throughout Central Florida. A member of the Master Custom Builder Council (MCBC), the firm specializes in bespoke residences and custom remodels. From Traditional rustic bungalows to sleek modern residences, the firm is more than capable of providing Orlando residents their dream homes.
Brett Lundequam has been in the home building industry for 20 years. He started his career in building early in life, gaining experience alongside his father. He further honed his skills during his 15-year career with a notable Fortune 250 home building company. He then established his own business and breathed life into new homes through a combination of effective people skills, communication, and a progressive building process.
The firm recently won a 2018 Merit Award from the 2018 GOBA Parade of Homes for its Taylor Avenue home. The two-story farmhouse in Winter Park is anything but modest. The large open floor plan features walnut floors and is surrounded by stark white walls. Intricate tile in the risers of the staircase adds a unique element to the home’s design, while understated finishes and details pull together the home’s overall look.
Fortis Enterprises
933 Lewis Dr. Suite A, Winter Park, FL 32789
Fortis Enterprises is known for its impeccable custom homes in Central Florida’s most discerning communities, including Winter Park, Delaney Park, Windermere, and College Park. Building these homes is the firm’s strong team of building professionals, who rely on their 35 years of combined construction experience. Among the team members are two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) AP managers, which gives the firm an advantage in sustainable construction practices.
Along with its success in having built some of the most complex and detailed projects in the area, the firm has also won awards for its custom homes. Among these awards is a 2014 GOBA Parade of Homes 1st Place Award and a 2015 GOBA Parade of Homes Merit Award. French Eclectic, Mediterranean, and Italianate styles fill up this firm’s portfolio.
The firm’s latest achievement is a 2018 GOBA Parade of Homes Merit Award for its Atlantic Oaks home. The Modern Contemporary home in Winter Park boasts stained tongue-and-groove ceilings and a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, and the home’s first level opens up to a resort-style courtyard. This 2,000-square foot home has all the amenities of a smart home and more.
M. Lahr Homes
2548 N Orange Blossom Trail Suite #800 Orlando, FL 32804
M. Lahr Homes is a custom residential home building company that specializes in custom homes and high-end renovations in urban and suburban neighborhoods in the metro Orlando area. The firm often builds elegant, modern and transitional homes and is lauded for its professionalism and attention to detail.
Owner Mike Lahr’s well-rounded and innovative approach to building stems from his 12 years of experience in residential and commercial construction. With his wife, Erin, Mike fosters a sense of family within the company and with its clients to ensure the building experience is more comfortable for everyone.
M. Lahr Homes has won awards in the GOBA Parade of Homes in 2016 and 2018. The Minnehaha Modern is one of the firm’s most notable, award-winning projects. Large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors open the home to gorgeous views of Lake Minnehaha, and the open layout makes the home perfect for entertaining. Additionally, the home features state-of-the-art and eco-friendly features.
Jones Clayton Construction
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. Suite #62, Orlando, FL 32819
Jones Clayton Construction has become a leading home builder in Orlando with more than three decades of building opulent estates and manors in affluent communities in Central Florida. Leading the firm is president and founder Rial Jones, who established the firm in 1984. Jones is a current member and past president of the MCBC.
The firm’s impressive list of awards includes a Grand Award from The Parade of Homes, Best Custom Home Award from Builder Magazine, a Golden Aurora Award from the Florida Home Builders Association, and the Best Custom Home in the Southeast. The firm is also a member of local and national organizations, such as the GOBA, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the MCBC, and the National Custom Builders Council.
The firm’s diverse portfolio includes Traditional and Contemporary manors and estates, from staple Mediterranean and French Country mansions to more unconventional Art Deco and Modern Contemporary estates. The firm’s homes often range in size from 5,000 to more than 25,000 square feet.
J Richard Watson Construction Company
885 Sedalia St., Ste. 202, Ocoee, FL 34761
J Richard Watson Construction Company builds some of the finest homes and estates in Orlando, Windermere, and the rest of Central Florida. The firm was established by building veteran Richard Watson, who has more than 25 years of experience in home building. Most notably, Watson has been voted Builder of the Year by the MCBC.
The firm actively participates in the Street of Dreams luxury home show and has won first place awards in the Orlando Parade of Homes. The firm has also won a coveted Aurora Award from the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC). Notably, the firm was a member of an exclusive group of builders selected by the Walt Disney Company to create custom homes for Celebration as well as the upscale Golden Oak enclave in collaboration with the Four Seasons.
The firm has built hundreds of custom homes, ranging in size from 3,200 square feet to 11,000 square feet, throughout Orange County. Mediterranean estates, Spanish manors, and Italian villas are the firm’s most prominent styles.
Silliman CitySide Homes
1402 Edgewater Dr. Suite 101 Orlando, FL 32804
For three decades, Silliman CitySide Homes has been creating superb upscale homes for Central Florida residents. This award-winning firm constructs custom homes according to today’s stringent building and energy codes, and these homes often feature the latest designs, state-of-the-art technologies, and amenities. The firm builds in the most affluent neighborhoods in Orlando, including College Park, Maitland, Dr. Phillips (Bay Hill), and Windermere. Its portfolio boasts Mediterranean manors, Modern Contemporary homes, and customizable semi-spec and model homes.
The company is the continuation of Bill Silliman’s legacy in the home building industry. Silliman is a veteran custom home builder who co-owned Reiche-Silliman, one of the most prestigious custom home builders in the Southeast, for 15 years. He is also a former president of the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Central Florida and served for several years on the organization’s board of directors. Today, Jeff Schnellmann heads the firm as its CEO. He has 40 years of experience in new home building, with more than 25 years in company management.
The firm has earned numerous Parade of Homes Awards from the Home Builders & Contractors Association of Brevard. Both Silliman and Schnellman have also won Builder of the Year and Pinnacle Builder Awards from the Greater Orlando Builders Association. Additionally, the firm was the recipient of a prestigious Aurora Award at the 2013 Southeast Builders Conference.
Goehring & Morgan
116 East Concord Street, Orlando, FL 32801
The business partnership of Kim Goehring and Chris Morgan started in 1984 and flourished into one of Central Florida’s most highly acclaimed custom home builders. Kim started building custom homes with his father more than 35 years ago. He then partnered with his good friend Chris, who was a former marketing vice president in the banking industry and owner of T&T Concrete, a concrete precast manufacturer. Now, the firm’s award-winning team has 75 years of combined experience in the building industry.
The firm is known throughout Florida for its enduring quality of work, superior craftsmanship, and unparalleled customer satisfaction. It was recently named the Best Custom Home Builder at the 2018 Orlando Business Journal’s Residential Real Estate Awards. The firm’s other awards include Builder of the Year from the MCBC and Best Custom Home Builder for two consecutive years from the Orlando Business Journal Readers’ Choice Awards.
The firm builds exemplary mansions and estates in the most affluent neighborhoods of Orlando, including the Golden Oak and Four Seasons Residences at Walt Disney Resort and the Gardens of Isleworth—an enclave of custom villas in Windermere. The firm often builds in the Italian, Mediterranean, and Greek Revival styles.
Christopher Burton Luxury Homes
6013 Farcenda Place, Melbourne, FL 32940
Christopher Burton was exposed to construction early in his life, as he worked for his uncle’s building company. He later attended Auburn University and officially pursued a career in building as a construction superintendent. In 1998, he ventured on his own and started Christopher Burton Luxury Homes. Since then, the firm has built more than 250 luxury homes in prestigious Brevard County communities. While the firm has long focused on Melbourne and The Beaches, it has also built homes in Orlando and Vero Beach.
The firm’s impressive list of awards includes ten Platinum and Gold Awards from the Home Builders and Contractors Association (HBCA) Parade of Homes. Burton himself has been recognized as one of the NAHB’s 40 Under 40 Homebuilding Professionals. In 2016, Burton built his own waterfront estate in Riverside Drive. The residence earned four Aurora Awards that year and was featured in Florida Design Magazine.
Burton’s home is a contemporary version of a West Indies house. The design elements were kept modern, clean, and coastal, and the home features several textures, including Italian porcelain tiles and walnut wood floors. An expansive porch and grand waterfront vista elevate the home’s aesthetic and function.
E2 Homes
301 Circle Drive, Maitland, FL 32751
E2 Homes is an award-winning custom home builder that focuses on building distinct Contemporary homes using green building techniques. This premier custom home builder provides a wide array of construction services, including custom home building and remodeling. Modern architecture and fresh Contemporary layouts are the firm’s signature styles.
The firm is owned by Rob Smith. Born and raised in Central Florida, Smith earned his Masters of Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He is the first LEED-accredited professional in the Central Florida area. Smith runs the firm alongside his wife, Denise, who is a landscape architect, and the husband-and-wife team are accompanied by industry experts from several different cultures and backgrounds.
The firm’s progressive and sustainable homes have been featured in numerous local and national magazines, including TecHomeBuilder, Fine Homebuilding, Green Builder Magazine, Orlando Business Journal, and Dwell. E2 Homes’ custom homes and renovations have also earned awards in green building. These include multiple Most Outstanding Project awards from the US Green Building Council, Department of Energy Housing Innovation Awards, and a Parade of Homes Grand Award from the GOBA.
Charles Clayton Construction
2250 Lee Rd. Suite #120, Winter Park, FL 32789
An award-winning luxury home builder and remodeler for more than 25 years, Charles Clayton Construction is nationally renowned for its progressive construction practices, stellar reviews, and impeccable custom homes. Its reach extends across Central Florida and includes the coastal Volusia County, where the firm’s seaside estates and European manors stand tall.
The firm’s portfolio gleams with award-winning homes that draw inspirations from Italian, Greek, and even Asian architecture. The firm’s signature style is to make its homes almost spa-like, with sprawling indoor and outdoor entertainment areas, luxurious master suites, and unique finishes and details. For its custom homes and renovations, the firm has taken home 35 Aurora Awards in various categories. It is also the four-time recipient of the NAHB Best of American Living Award.
Charlie Clayton began his building career in 1984, following a long lineage and family tradition of property development and home building tracing back to the 1950s. Clayton built the company from the ground up, and his leadership transcends beyond the firm. He has served as the local president of the GOBA, president of the MCBC, and National Director of the NAHB. He has also received several Builder of the Year designations.
McNally Construction Group
7345 W Sand Lake Rd., Orlando, FL 32819
The McNally Construction Group has proven that it is one of Orlando’s premier custom home builders through its 150-year track record, numerous industry awards and recognition, and its continuously growing portfolio of magnificent custom homes. Traditional and Contemporary estate homes have become synonymous with the firm’s name. With more than 400 custom projects in the Greater Orlando area over the past 30 years alone, the firm’s mansions and stellar reputation have become highly renowned.
The company’s roots can be traced back to New England, where Patrick McNally, who left Great Britain in 1869, began building homes, churches, and commercial buildings. Fast forward 150 years later, the McNally legacy is continued by EJ McNally, who is the fifth-generation president of the firm and runs the business with the rest of the family. In fact, a McNally family member personally supervises each phase of design and construction, along with an expert team of architects, designers, and builders.
The company boasts an impressive list of accolades, recognition, and clientele. It has won an SEBC Aurora Award for Best House, a Quality Builder Award, and numerous GOBA Parade of Homes Awards in various categories. The firm’s luxurious mansions and sprawling estates have graced the pages of Custom Home Builder Magazine, Professional Builder Magazine, American Homestyle & Gardening, Country Living Magazine, and Orlando Magazine. The company has also had a feature segment on HGTV’s “This Old House.” Additionally, the firm is one of only four builders chosen by the Walt Disney Company to build Celebration. McNally is also one of the founding members of the MCBC.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders near Orlando. 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 Jacksonville
Custom home builders in St. Petersburg
Custom home builders in Florida
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.
