Last updated on May 28th, 2024 at 08:54 am
This is a list of the best custom home builders in the United States. From coastal retreats to desert oases and mountainside mansions, the following custom home contractors create some of the most luxurious single-family residences in the United States. Some are full-service design-build companies, while others are building experts specializing in the hands-on aspects of creating homes from scratch. Others excel in custom home remodeling projects. No matter their specialty, all of the companies on this list are premier custom home builders in regions spanning the country.
Whether you are exploring a major home remodel idea in rural Montana or embarking on the process of creating a brand-new luxury home design in upscale Connecticut, these builders are a great place to start. The following custom home builders are singled out for the residences they build in upscale parts of the country, for the value and size of their luxury creations, for their exquisite craftsmanship, and for their awards and accolades.
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 and surest way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
20) Xhema
PO Box 4422, Greenwich, CT 06831
Xhema was singled out by Town & Country as one of America’s seven best luxury home builders. With headquarters in Greenwich, CT, and in New York City, Xhema has created some lavish and creative homes in upscale areas, such as Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, the Hamptons, and Westchester. Known for its artistic constructions, Xhema built a subterranean garage accessible via a hidden entrance; a coastal home with 19-foot-tall, hurricane-resistant, floor-to-ceiling glass windows; and a computer-controlled wall displaying rotating art installations.
Their work has appeared in Architectural Digest, New York Spaces, Robb Report Luxury Home, and W Magazine. Their styles range from Georgian estates and Greenwich waterfront homes to century-old chateaus. In New York City, they create elegant townhouses and chic and contemporary apartments. Their homes include features like marble floors and walls, dramatic chandeliers and artistic light fixtures, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools with decorative water features.
19) Tyler Development Corporation
1932 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025
For 34 years, Tyler Development Corporation has been considered a premier builder in prestigious areas throughout Los Angeles. Over the years, this firm has constructed 275 luxury custom homes in areas like Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Santa Barbara. Tyler Development Corporation was founded by Ron Udall, a graduate of UCLA, with many years of experience in construction management in Southern California.
This LEED-certified company has appeared in publications like Perspectives on Design California, Robb Report, Architectural Digest, Luxe, and Los Angeles Magazine. Some of Tyler Development Corporation’s projects look more like modern museums than residential homes. Their exteriors are made of symmetrical grids, which feature things like lush gardens, stone stairways, and rushing waters. A few of their properties are made largely of glass, overlooking scenic hillsides or the ocean. Their interiors are exquisite, with classic chandeliers and winding stair wells. Many have cathedral-style ceilings, swimming pools, gourmet kitchens, and outdoor living areas positioned on multi-level stone decks.
18) Haley Custom Homes
5211 Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Haley Custom Homes was founded by Dan Haley Fuller in 1998. Today, it is a premier custom home builder serving some of Colorado’s most prominent families and athletes. Haley Custom Homes is affiliated with the Young Presidents Organization of Colorado, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, ACE Foundation, Energy Star, Colorado Association of Realtors, Colorado Home Builders Association, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Sustainability is central to their building methods, with their “rapid build system” ensuring waste elimination and energy efficiency. Haley Custom Homes has appeared multiple times on Luxe Magazine’s Gold List. In 2017, they were a finalist in the Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Home of the Year competition. Some of the company’s boutique custom homes are around 20,000 square feet, and they feature luxurious outdoor living spaces with swimming pools, fire pits, and seating areas. The interiors have high ceilings with artistic paneling, spa-like bathrooms, and open concept gourmet kitchens that connect with spacious living areas and decks.
17) BGD&C
875 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1314, Chicago, IL 60611
BGD&C is a full-service design-build firm that specializes in Chicago’s elite Lincoln Park and Gold Coast areas. The team has three decades of experience in design, construction, and renovation. Their work has received the 2017 Best in American Living Award through the NAHB, and a Diamond Key Award through the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Chicago. They were voted Best Builder by Modern Luxury Interior Chicago Magazine. They have also been featured in publications like Dering Hall, DDC Journal, Custom Builder, Chicago Magazine, Modern Luxury, Elle Decor, and Sophisticated Living.
President Roger A. Owen studied at Lake Forest Academy and Indiana University, and he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. In 2015, he was inducted into the Merchandise Mart Hall of Fame, which recognizes achievements in design and construction that influence the landscapes of Chicago, the Midwest, the United States, and the world at large. Their custom homes range from European to contemporary and luxury condo.
16) D’Alessio Inspired Architectural Designs
PO Box 540, New Hope, PA 18938
D’Alessio is a full-service design-build company whose boutique and custom homes have earned international acclaim. Led by President Mr. Andrea D’Alessio Jr., the firm creates 21st century-style castles, European chateaus, and traditional luxury mansions. The team is known for their attention to sustainability, reused materials, and fine craftsmanship. Their signature Gothic and Romanesque architectural facades are achieved through chiseling stone and granite by hand.
D’Alessio’s work has appeared in French Style Villa, LUXE Magazine, International Property & Travel Magazine, and World’s Best Americas 2014-2015. The International Property Awards in London selected them as a 2013-2014 Americas Property Award Winner for their architectural design on a single residence. They have received nine awards for outstanding residential home design, construction, and craftsmanship through the American Residential Design Awards. They have earned multiple Cast Stone Institute Excellence Awards, and multiple Design+Build Excellence Awards for design and construction on custom homes. One of their award-winning homes is a 10,000-square-foot, three-story mansion, with an exterior of hand-cut stone and an interior filled with marble floors and staircases.
15) Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.
104 Bennett Avenue, Suite 1A, Milford, PA 18337
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is operated by Ed Nikles, a Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, and Certified Green Professional. He is a past President of the Pennsylvania Builders Association, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, and NAHB Board of Directors. The team is also led by Ed Nikles Jr., who holds additional credentials in Aging-in-Place, Active Adult Specialist Housing, and Renovation. He also holds a Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker license.
The company has 55 years of experience creating homes that are energy efficient and utilize smart design and universal design. They have received nearly 20 awards, such as National Custom Home Builder of the Year through the NAHB and a Pennsylvania Builders Association Distinguished Achievement Award. Many of their homes are multi-level, with large wooden decks for separate rooms on each floor. The exteriors are stone or natural wood, matching the scenic and wooded surroundings. The interiors feature elements like curved staircases, dramatic foyers, and sophisticated kitchens.
14) Gabriel Builders
641 Garden Market Drive, Suite A, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Founded in 1984, Gabriel Builders is a national, award-winning builder of handcrafted homes in upscale North and South Carolina, such as Asheville and Greenville. The team is led by Gus Rubio, founder and president, who first gained experience in the industry by doing construction work during college vacations. They offer services in high-end design, construction, interiors and renovations.
Their work has earned dozens of awards, including multiple South Carolina Pinnacle Awards for Best Construction of homes priced at around $5M and multiple Bridge Awards from Southern Home & Garden in the Best Overall $1M to $5M Category. In 2014, they earned the title of National Custom Home Builder of the Year from the NAHB, and in 2015, they earned a place on the Ocean Home Platinum List for Custom Home Builder of the Year. Some of their projects include infinity edge pools, remote-controlled fire pits, heated floors, elevators and humidity-controlled wine rooms.
13) Payne and Payne Builders
10750 Mayfield Road, Chardon, OH 44024
Payne and Payne Builders is a family company founded in 1993 by F. Michael Payne and his brother David S. Payne, and is now run by the 2nd generation- Mike Jr, Dave Jr, and Eric Payne. Mike Sr., Mike Jr., and David Jr. are all former presidents of the HBA of Greater Cleveland. They have received more than 40 awards and recognitions for custom homes, including the National Custom Home Builder of the Year Award in 2009 and the local Home Builder of the Year Award in 2012, 2013, and 2017.
Payne & Payne offers their clients full design and build services, including architecture, interior design, custom homes, semi-custom homes, remodeling, and additions. Their brand has grown through the voices of their clients to become the most sought after brand in the region.
12) Merlin Contracting
6408 Arville Street, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Merlin Contracting, luxury custom home and condominium builder, constructs some of the most expensive properties in Southern Nevada. The firm’s work has appeared in 300 newspaper articles and more than 60 magazines, including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest. Some of their residences have ranged from $1M all the way to $25M.
The team earned an Excellence in Home Design Award through the NAHB, and an Excellence in Concrete Award from the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Concrete Institute. Their official show home for the NAHB 2004 International Builders’ Show received nationwide media recognition, multiple awards, and praise from the EPA for its energy efficiency. Merlin Contracting Homes are modern, with amenities like home theaters, elevators, and cutting edge audio-visual and lighting systems. They include luxurious features like wine rooms, wet bars, and multi-level open-air living spaces, which blend into the striking landscape outside.
11) Wardell Builders
649 Valley Avenue, Suite A, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Wardell Builders has been creating luxury custom homes throughout upscale areas in Southern California. The team, many of whom have worked together for 15 years, is led by its president and founder, Terry Wardell. Their custom home projects have received more than 40 awards and accolades. These include 10 Home of the Year Awards in San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles, the National Custom Home Builder of the Year Award, and the Building Industry Association (BIA) Icon Award.
Their custom homes range from contemporary and chic to artistic urban infills and seaside cottage styles with luxurious interiors. Some are strikingly modern, comprised of cube-like glass and granite structures overlooking rock gardens or ponds. Others are more traditional, with shingle exteriors and interiors filled with lots of exposed, log-style beams and wood paneling. Many of their interiors have high and vaulted ceilings, modern fireplaces, decorative subway tile, double-sink vanities, and outdoor living spaces with spectacular views.
10) Alvarez Homes
3617 Hudson Lane, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33618
Alvarez Homes is Tampa Bay’s premier builder of custom homes. The firm has received a number of awards at the local, state, and national level. Among their recognitions and honors are multiple Aurora Awards for the Best Homes in the Southeast through the Southeast Building Conference. They have also received severa; Best in American Living Awards through the NAHB and Best in Show Awards in all four of Tampa’s Street of Dreams home showcases.
The team is led by President Bobby Alvarez, who started the company in 1983, and Vice President Freddy Socias. Alvarez custom homes feature luxury elements like enormous walk-in closets, large granite fireplaces, and elegant dining areas and wine cellars. Many are European and Mediterranean in style, with high and vaulted ceilings, exterior stone columns, and decorative Moroccan tile. They reflect the Florida lifestyle by including wide, screened-in porches and modern outdoor living spaces. Some feature stylish clay tile roofs, while others have traditional, stone exteriors resembling Italian villas.
9) Bob Thompson Homes
8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1650, Dallas, TX 75225
Bob Thompson Homes, a premier custom home builder headquartered in Dallas, has been designing and constructing luxury homes for more than 30 years. They work with the finest architects, landscape designers, and subcontractors in the area. The team has received honors, such as the McSam Special Achievement Award in Excellence, and was named Builder of the Year by D Magazine.
Bob Thompson Homes are elegant estates with gated entrances, classic stone exteriors, car parks, and swimming pools with water features. Some are modeled after European villas or Mediterranean oases, and one residence resembles a museum, with symmetrical floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking views of a wooded river. The interiors feature luxury elements like elevators, marble kitchens, dining rooms with classic chandeliers, and modern bathrooms with artistic freestanding tubs. Many of their custom homes include spacious wine cellars, media rooms and home theaters, and dramatic outdoor living spaces on par with those of five-star hotels.
8) Echelon Custom Homes
20184 Phillips Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
This design-build company specializes in building luxurious custom homes throughout the coastal area of Sussex County, Delaware. Their work has received 20 national awards for excellence in the home building industry, 55 regal awards honoring Delaware-based residences, three “cottage and town awards” for best new construction and restoration/renovation, and one award for Best in American Living for their “Iris” residence.
Echelon homes are multi-level and luxurious, featuring things like spacious decks, open-plan interiors, wet bars, and billiards rooms. They have classic chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the scenic coast, and elegant kitchens. Their more whimsical homes are filled with hints of the ocean, such as chandeliers with propeller-like edges, lanterns suspended from the hallways, and round windows resembling those found on boats. Others are more traditional, with gourmet kitchens, vaulted ceilings, and spa-like bathrooms with freestanding tubs. Echelon Custom Homes stays with its clients well after construction is finished. They provide ongoing repairs, maintenance, and emergency response.
7) Kean Development
5 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY 11724
Kean Development, led by President and CEO John C. Kean, is a multiple award-winning team of experts in architecture, construction, and landscape design. With headquarters in New York, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach, this construction company has three decades of experience creating exquisite residences nationwide. They specialize in custom upscale homes, estates, and gated communities that are classic, modern, and contemporary in style, some priced nearly $30M. Their work has been featured in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, House, and Veranda.
Many of their summer houses at the Hamptons feature luxury kitchens with marble counters and spacious wine cellars, modern outdoor living spaces with fire pits and pools, and rooftop bars with scenic views. One Hamptons-based multimillion-dollar home includes 10 bedrooms, eight fireplaces, and an elevator. It even features modern entertainment spaces like a rooftop putting green, a home movie theater, a bowling alley, and a billiards room. The firm also creates traditional stone manors, classic waterfront mansions, equestrian estates, European Villa-style homes, and English Tudor-style luxury residences.
6) Calvis Wyant
8755 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
This firm got its start in 1986, when experienced carpenter Tony Calvis joined up with architectural designer Gary Wyant. Today, their team is a full-service design-build company creating some of the most luxurious custom homes throughout the greater Phoenix, AZ, area. Of their 30-plus awards, the majority recognize excellence in the design and construction of custom homes, ranging from $2M to $10M. They have earned multiple Gold Nugget Awards through Builder Magazine, Residential Design & Build Magazine, and the NAHB, including awards for Best in American Living. The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) has recognized Calvis Wyant multimillion-dollar homes through a number of MAME awards, or Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence.
The firm’s remarkable custom homes are modern-contemporary or classic-traditional, and all are positioned in harmony with the Arizona landscape. CW homes feature open-air living spaces and outdoor fire pits and swimming pools offering tremendous views. Others juxtapose the desert atmosphere with architecture inspired by luxury homes throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.
5) Visnic Homes
1684 East Gude Drive #102, Rockville, MD 20850
Visnic Homes was founded in 1990 by Ted Visnic, chairman and CEO. The company specializes in custom homes and renovations that are original in style, while also matching the elegance of metropolitan Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland. The company has created nearly 200 custom homes in upscale areas like Georgetown, Creighton Farms, Goldsborough Creek, and Walnut Grove. Their styles range from coastal and French country to traditional Georgian estates. They even build homes resembling modern-day Celtic castles and traditional stone Pennsylvania farmhouses.
Visnic Homes has earned more than 35 building industry awards, including NAHB’s 2011 Custom Home Builder of the Year, multiple Finest for Family Living Awards for single family houses over $1M, and multiple awards through the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry for Best Custom Home. One of their custom homes in Georgetown features a classic brick exterior with an elegant balcony, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, and a luxurious wine cellar.
4) Polhemus Savery Dasilva
157 Brewster-Chatham Road, East Harwich, MA, 02645
PSD is an award-winning firm made up of licensed architects, landscape architects and contractors, construction experts, and master craftspeople. The team has 20 years of experience building distinctive residences in upscale areas around Cape Cod. Their luxury custom homes tend to mirror the traditional architecture of coastal New England, with tremendous natural light and sweeping views. The firm is led by President and CEO Aaron Polhemus, Founding Partner Peter Polhemus, Design Principal John R. DaSilva, and COO Craig Gabri.
When the company was founded in 1996, it was one of the region’s first fully integrated design and construction firms. Since then, PSD has earned more than 30 awards and recognitions. These include a 2016 Building & Remodeling Industry of Cape Cod (BRICC) Gold Award for New Construction Single Family Home through the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, multiple Chatham Preservation Awards through the Chatham Historical Society, and a Design-Build Institute of America Excellence Award through the Design Build Institute of America.
3) Hann Builders
5210 Spruce Street, Bellaire, TX 77401
Hann Builders is a Houston-based luxury custom home builder with more than 25 years of experience in the full-service design-build industry. The company has earned over 20 awards for its custom homes alone. It is the only contractor that the Greater Houston Builders Association has recognized as both Custom Builder of the Year and Remodeler of the Year. Many of their awards through PRISM, the Greater Houston Builders Association, and the Texas Lone Star Awards were for custom homes priced at $1M and above.
Hann Builders is led by Stephen Hann, president and founder, an award-winning builder with degrees in business administration and construction management and years of experience creating million-dollar Texas residences. He is a founding member of the Custom Builders Council and the NAHB Builder 20 Clubs, and his credentials include Certified Graduate Remodeler, Graduate Master Builder, and Graduate Master Remodeler. Hann Builders homes are multi-level mansions with floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping balconies, luxurious swimming areas, and elegant outdoor living spaces.
2) Jauregui Architecture Interiors Construction
3660 Stoneridge Road, Bldg A-102, Austin, TX 78746
This Texas-based firm is led by President Luis Jauregui, Vice President Susan Jauregui, and Senior Architects Jim Gandy and Sean Williamson. Its team of architects, contractors, and designers have 30 years of experience creating luxury residential estates throughout the country — from Moroccan-style and elegant European to French country modern and traditional ranch. They start by designing your custom dream home, build it to your exact specifications, and conclude with personalized furnishings and expert landscaping.
The firm has earned over 100 awards at the local, state, and national level, and many have been for excellence in custom home design and building. In 2017, the firm became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for Lifetime Achievement, and they were NAHB’s 2016 Custom Builder of the Year. They have received 21 Best in American Living awards and 39 MAX Awards. Among their nearly 50 Texas Star Awards are seven Best New Custom Home Awards for homes between $500k and $1M, and two awards for Best Custom Luxury Home from $1M to $5M.
1) Phil Kean Designs
912 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Phil Kean Designs, headquartered in both New York and Florida, is a boutique design-build firm specializing in custom homes that are both luxurious and distinctive. They have created homes throughout the nation as well as around the world. The team is led by Phil Kean, who is an architect, a certified residential contractor, and a licensed interior designer. One of the most experienced green builders in Central Florida, Phil Kean has gained 13 different awards for sustainability, such as the Sustainable Design Award through the AIA’s Orlando Chapter, the Best in American Living Award through Green-Built Home, and the 2012 Highest Scoring Certified Green Home in Florida Award through the Florida Green Building Coalition.
The firm is affiliated with the AIA, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), NAHB, and the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD). Their work has appeared in nearly 100 publications, and they have received hundreds of awards for design and construction. In 2017 alone, they received the Best Custom Homebuilder Award through the Orlando Business Journal and three awards through the Greater Orlando Builders Association. These included the Grand Award for a Custom Home, the First Place Custom Home Award for a home $5M to $6M, and First Place Whole Home Remodel for a house $1.750M to $2M. They also received nine different Aurora Awards through the Southeast Building Conference and four American Residential Design Awards (two for custom homes) through AIBD.
How can I find a home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best custom home builders in each of the 50 states. If you don’t see a link to your state below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
You might also want to check out other types of home builders that might suit your build.
Design-Build firms | Green home builders | Log home builders | Luxury home builders | Prefab and modular home builders | Spec home builders | Tiny home builders
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.
