The Best Midcentury Modern Home Builders in the US

Last updated on July 4th, 2024 at 03:08 pm

Building a midcentury modern home is a dream for many, but finding the right contractor is essential to realizing that dream. The distinct style, characterized by clean lines, open spaces, and integration with nature, requires a builder with specific expertise and an eye for detail. With project costs ranging from $150,000 to $400,000 and occasionally reaching up to $500,000, choosing a skilled and reliable contractor is crucial. The average cost per square foot for these projects is $68.4, reflecting the investment needed to achieve the hallmark quality of midcentury modern design.

The demand for midcentury modern homes is rising in the United States, home to 333.3 million people and a median home value of $393k. These homes are not just structures but a testament to a design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and a connection to the environment. The right builder understands these principles and can navigate the unique challenges of constructing such distinctive homes. Typically, these projects can take up to 11 months to complete, making it essential to work with a contractor who can manage timelines effectively and address any unforeseen issues.

This article will highlight some of the best mid-century modern home builders in the US. These contractors have been chosen for their proven expertise, dedication to the midcentury modern aesthetic, and ability to deliver high-quality results. Whether you want to build a new home or renovate an existing one, these builders stand out for their craftsmanship and commitment to excellence, ensuring your midcentury modern home is in the best hands possible.

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Overview: The Best Midcentury Modern Home Builders in the US

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

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CarsonSpeer

2131 Woodruff Rd. Suite #2100, #334, Greenville, SC 29607

A firm that has been featured in AtHome, Palmetto Magazine, Heart and Soul, and Town Magazine, CarsonSpeer is known for its team of the finest craftsmen who helped the firm maintain building excellence. Being nationally recognized, CarsonSpeer also limits the number of projects it works on to keep up with quality. In its large portfolio, its most notable project is a midcentury modern remodel of a 3,000-square-foot home. Major repairs included repairing the structural foundation, waterproofing, replacing the basement slab, and reroofing the entire home. The firm has only been around for eight years. Still, it has already won awards such as the NAHB Best in American Living Platinum Award, the NAHB’s Best in America Living Platinum Award, and Best in Region Remodel Las Vegas. In the same year, it won two of HBA South Carolina’s Pinnacle Awards. By 2019, it also won the Pinnacle Award for Best Full Home Remodel over $500,000.

This award-winning firm currently has Steve Carson and James Speer guiding its activities. Carson is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Landscape Architecture. With more than 20 years of construction experience, Carson has a multifaceted perspective on engineering, design, and general contracting. Speer also earned his construction science and management degree from Clemson University and has several years of experience working in commercial buildings. Currently, Speer serves as the president of the Home Builders Association of Greenville.

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Bauhaus Modern Homes

1920 McKinney Ave., 7th Flr., Dallas, TX 75201

Bauhaus Modern Homes is a design firm and custom home builder member of the Dallas Builders Association (DBA), the NAHB, and the Texas Association of Builders (TAB). Since its establishment, the firm has focused on designing and building authentic, timeless architecture homes. Among these many projects, its most notable is The Hillcrest House. A Bauhaus Architectural Restoration home located in Dallas, The Hillcrest House won the 2013 Preservation Achievement Award and was featured in the 2016 issue of One KindDesign. Nestled along a wood-sided creek, it honors architect O’Neil Ford’s restrained architecture and grasp of the local environment.

With projects that successfully show off the firm’s skills, Bauhaus Modern Homes has been featured in the 2018 issue of Modern Luxury and has won countless awards, including the 2013 Associates, Remodelers, and Custom Builders ARC awards for Architectural design and interior design. One of the top custom modern home builders, the firm is currently managed by Marc Kleinmann, known for luxurious, high-performance homes built with the latest technology. He is also an NAHB Certified Green professional, has served on the board of Directors of the Dallas Builders Association, and is a past chairman of the Green Built Texas Program.

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Taconic Builders

39 West 37th St., New York, NY 10018

Taconic Builders has a conservationist mindset. The firm has a history of responsible recycling and resource management. With a large portfolio of breathtaking homes, Taconic Builders has been featured in countless magazines, including Veranda, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, HC and G, Luxe, and Architectural Digest.

President and CEO Vince Tyer guides the firm’s projects with the help of 24 years of management experience. The firm has multiple offices in New York and satellite offices in South Florida and London.

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Kasten Builders

3419 Regatta Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804

Kasten Builders has built up a wide network with various professionals, including architects, designers, landscapers, and realtors. One of its projects is a midcentury home in Lafayette designed by the architect firm Klopf Architecture. A renovation project, this home required complete interior and exterior upgrades, including new cool roofs, high-efficiency forced air, prefinished hard panelized siding, and a rain screen system.

Over time, the firm was recognized by magazines like Marin Home Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. In 2018, Kasten Builders also won AIA’s Merit Design Award for the Two Way House remodel. Currently, this award-winning firm is headed by company president Denny Kasten, who got his architectural degree from the Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield, Michigan. 

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Riverdell Construction

3262 Old Stage Rd., Central Point, OR  97502

Riverdell Construction has been one of Southern Oregon’s premier custom home builders for over 20 years. The firm is an EnergyStar Partner and a member of the NAHB and the Builders Association Southern Oregon (BASO). Its most notable one is a midcentury home with a cool, chic palette that frames the home’s style. Though the project has an asymmetrical front façade, its backyard is perfectly symmetrical, with floor-to-ceiling windows presenting an open floor plan.

The various projects Riverdell Construction has built over the years have been managed and guided by company president Matt Bryant. A graduate of Oregon State University, Bryant is a licensed real estate broker in Oregon and has extensive building and development knowledge. Due to this vast knowledge, Bryant has been known to work with people in the Los Angeles entertainment industry and once worked for actor and comedian Jim Belushi.

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Markay Johnson Construction

8679 Sandy Pkwy., Sandy, UT 84070

A design-build general contractor, Markay Johnson Construction is a reputable 30-year-old firm known for crafting unique properties from coast to coast. Thanks to its experience, the firm has been known to craft custom homes that reflect the owner’s personality and lifestyle.

One of the homes that most exhibits the firm’s capabilities is The Hive. Projects like these are managed with the help of owner Markay Johnson. With a diverse background in structural engineering and construction management, Johnson adds a flair to his residential projects, earning him the respect of his clients and peers.

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Hammersmith Structures

201 Commerce Dr., #1, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Hammersmith Structures deals with the design-build of high-end, visually appealing custom homes. Usually such projects highlight the firm’s love for ambitious, difficult projects. One great example of these projects is the Lakeview home, which provides a modern twist on the traditional midcentury modern style. One of the home’s most notable features is its open floor plan. To capture lake views from as many angles as possible, the home has huge windows that flood the house with natural light.

The view from the master bedroom’s vanity looks out over the lake, with mirrors suspended from the ceiling to minimize interference. Even the basement workout room has an overhead door that rolls up to expose the outdoors. The home’s exterior, meanwhile, possesses traditional Colorado features—cedar siding, steel roofing, and locally sourced stone. Aside from homes with many great features, the firm frequently builds homes with indoor pools, geothermal systems, or even a two-story waterfall that drops into a koi pond in the basement. Over the years, the firm has built quite a reputation for extensive residential remodels and unique commercial tenant finishes.

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Detail Homes

1610 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105

Detail Homes is a boutique design-build firm established a decade ago. Detail Homes possesses a vast knowledge of the estate market and a design-oriented approach that highlights the firm’s commitment to timeless designs and inimitable attention to detail.

A preferred choice among the many contemporary home builders, the firm is managed by co-principals Chris Van Klei and Ben Richter. Klei has a background in architecture and interior design that makes him skilled in bringing design and planning aspects together; Richter has developed many successful investment properties throughout his career.

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Tongue and Groove

6131 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403

Tongue and Groove was a firm founded on uncompromising standards and protecting a client’s financial investment. Since its establishment, the firm had become nationally recognized for a quality design team capable of managing and guiding the most complex projects. 

It has a collection of these beautiful homes, and one of its most notable projects is The Bridges. With a design inspired by the midcentury architecture of Florida’s Golden Beach, the project is sensitive to the environment with increased use of natural elements, including stacked white stone façades and support columns that muddle the barrier between the interior and exterior. The home is surrounded by water—koi ponds and trickling fountains, making for a soothing entry; the interior opens up to these features with expansive plate glass walls and windows.

Full-length windows double as folding partition doors that open the living room up to the lanai and pool deck. The home has gained several awards, including the 2019 ARDA Awards for best custom home and the 2019 MAX! Awards for best outdoor living space. Such award-winning projects have also gained the company features in publications such as Dwell, Professional Builder, House and Garden, Our State Magazine, Wilmington Business Journal, and Builder.   

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Hanson Fine Building

86 West Johnson St., Philadelphia, PA 19144

Hanson Fine Building has built several significant landmarks since its establishment. These include Nicholas Biddle’s country estate—in Andalusia, Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, and the Historic Bartram’s Gardens and Athenaeum in Philadelphia. Alongside such important landmarks, the firm has created several single-family homes with beautiful designs. One of these is a midcentury modern home designed by architect Vincent Kling. A 1950s house with extensive renovations, it gained a new roof and insulation, new Arcadia double-glazed windows, a large-scale masonry restoration, and a new high-efficiency heating and cooling system. 

The firm has been featured in the 2018 issue of Dwell, the 2017 issue of The Inquirer, and the 2015 issues of Fine Homebuilding Kitchen and Bath and This Old House. It has also won three Greater Philadelphia Preservation Alliance Achievement Awards and the AIA Philadelphia Award. The firm is currently led by co-principals John and Christopher Hanson. Christopher Hanson is a LEED accredited professional with a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

John Hanson, meanwhile, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his bachelor’s degree in American Studies and a certificate in Historic Preservation. Currently, he is responsible for ensuring that the firm’s issues are sufficiently addressed at the early stages of a project to create a seamless hand-off to the production staff. Noting their expertise, the firm has memberships within several industry organizations, including the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Delaware Valley Building Council,  the Greater Philadelphia Preservation Alliance, the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA), the Greater Philadelphia Passive House Association, and the Urban Land Institute.

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Armstrong Builders

80 Sand Island Access Rd. Suite #209, Honolulu, HI 96819

A firm that has been building single-family homes in Hawaii for 44 years, Armstrong Builders is known for having two divisions—Armstrong Development and Armstrong Design Group. While Armstrong Development focuses on honing its strengths, Armstrong Design provides clients with quality design assistance from qualified design and architecture professionals. The firm has built up a vast portfolio, carrying the advantage of both design and construction. One great example of this firm’s abilities is its work on the Diamond Head midcentury modern home. Designed by John Hara Associates’ Karen Wang, this home won the 2016 Building Industry Association (BIA) of Hawaii’s Renaissance Grand Award and Hawaii Home + Remodeling’s Editor’s Choice Award.

Alongside this award-winning home, the firm has developed projects that directly contributed to the community over many years. Such projects include park improvements, school renovations, homeless and transitional housing, and historical and cultural preservation.

Armstrong Builders has won the 2016 and 2015 BIA Renaissance Grand Award and the 2015 Preservation Honor Awards for such qualifications and contributions. One of the top contemporary home builders in the area, the firm is a member of the BIA, AIA Honolulu, and the National Association Of Home Builders (NAHB). Currently, it is managed by David Miyasaki. Standing as the firm’s principal architect since 1985, Miyasaki has more than 13 years of experience serving as an architect and associate of Group 70 International Inc. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects and holds LEED-AP and CDT certificates.

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New Urban Home Builders

6883 Cascade Rd. SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

A boutique residential builder, New Urban Home Builders has built up sturdy connections with some of the best architects, interior designers, and craftspeople in Michigan. Among the many homes it has built with such professionals, its work on a midcentury modern home is one of its most notable ones. Chad Gould’s design features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows at the home’s rear and sides. Its charms include exterior wood elements, including a cedar wall built to mimic a fireplace stack and a custom cedar garage door. Its interior, meanwhile, is an open floor plan that seamlessly mixes the kitchen, dining, and living rooms while a floating staircase adds a unique touch to the home. Thanks to the many homes that the firm has built with such skilled hands, New Urban Home Builders has been recognized with 2018’s Cosmopolitan Home Magazine’s Renovation of The Year. At the same time, the NAHB was recognized with the Best in American Living Award.

Currently, the firm is handled by owner Scott Branc. A former engineer, Branc served on the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin and the board of directors of the Home Builder Association of Greater Grand Rapids (HBAGGR). Currently, he is the president of his NAHB 20 Club chapter.

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Sapia Builders

62 Neck Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06371

Possessing nearly 60 years of experience in the home building and remodeling, Sapia Builders focuses on building high-end, uniquely designed, and crafted homes for homeowners up and down the Connecticut shoreline. Among its numerous projects, its most notable is Franzen Modern. Found in Essex, this renovation project was redesigned by Steve Schappacher in 2015. The home won the HOBI Award for Best Residential Remodel in the same year, priced at $500,000 to $750,000. This HOBI award is just one of the many the firm has won.

A top pick from the area’s mid-century modern home builders, Sapia Builders is currently managed by owner and principal Nick Sapia. With more than 20 years of diverse project management experience in the construction and home building industry, Sapia oversees job operations and is involved in the entire building process. Sapia Builders is also a member of the NAHB, the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut, and the EPA. It is also a certified Green professional and an Energy Star Partner.

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JPaul Builders

1 Reservoir Cir. Suite #100 Baltimore, MD 21153

A client-centric business, JPaul Builders has perfected the collaborative method with its clients after more than 25 years of A client-centric business, JPaul Builders has perfected the collaborative method with its clients after more than 25 years of serving the Greater Baltimore area. One of the projects that most successfully shows the firm’s skills is the custom home in Pikesville. A midcentury modern home, it has open floor plans highlighting extensive views of the outside environment. JPaul Builders has been featured in magazines like Dwell, Architectural Digest, and Luxe. The firm has also won several HBAM’s Awards for Excellence for luxurious and environmentally friendly homes.

Currently, JPaul Builders is managed by company president Steven Lichter and owner Paul Licther, who used to work for Toll Brother and other home builders before starting JPaul Builders.

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Studio Build

2119 Washington St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Studio Build has been building various projects for nearly two decades. The firm’s most notable is Drummond 7348. The most unique element is the basement added during the renovation. This addition transformed the home from a small, two-bedroom, single-bath home into a comfortable four-bedroom, three-bath house.

Noting the numerous projects it has completed during its years, Studio Build has gathered enough fame to gain features in several industry magazines: Kansas City At Home, Kansas City Spaces, Wall Street Journal, ArchDaily, KC Star, Contemporist, and most recently, Kansas City Spaces. One of the most lauded contemporary home builders, Studio Build was mentioned in an article from the Wall Street Journal.

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KMV Builders

500 North Washington, 131 W 6th Street Ketchum, ID 83340

A 40-year-old firm, KMV Builders is best known for building some of the most distinctive custom residences in Ketchum and Sun Valley. One great example is a midcentury modern home with abundant glass windows that reveal the home’s open, spacious floor plan. During the years of the firm’s existence, it gained memberships within the USGBC and has earned awards such as the Industry Material Design Award and the Best of the Valley Award. Over time, its clients have recognized and complimented the firm for excellent communication skills and a hands-on work ethic. The firm’s abilities and honed skills can be rooted in its founder and principals’ combined guidance and experiences.

Company founder Steve Kearns used to be an investment advisor before starting the company, where he oversees all its aspects. Alongside him is co-principal Erin McGinnis, who has 40 years of experience in the construction industry, and co-principal Victor Vandenberg, best known for his enthusiasm and attention to detail.

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Dreamscape Homebuilders

4800 Mills Civic Pkwy. Suite #204, West Des Moines, IA 50265

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Established by business partners TJ Clemons, Ryan Roberts, and Ou Meksay, Dreamscape Homebuilders specializes in modern artistry, unique architecture, and innovative designs. With award-winning design professionals and 30 years’ worth of industry experience, the firm has been able to build homes such as Homeshow Brady.

It is A mid-century modern ranch house with an oversized courtyard garage, three skylights, over 30 windows, vaulted main and mid-level open stairs and railings, and an office nook.

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Hickman Homes

5412 Strickland Ave., Lakeland, FL 33812

Hickman Homes is a member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and is a certified Green professional by the NAHB. The firm has been recognized with awards for its quality and design construction, which is most evident in the firm’s work on Leigh Harris’ mid-century modern home. This chic two-story home carries a cool color palette, including a striking teal front door. For projects like these, Hickman Homes won the 2018 Spring Parade of Homes award for Remodeler of the Year.

Hickman Homes is currently managed by Mike Hickman, the past president of the FHBA and the PCBA, where he was also a Life Board member. Habitat for Humanity voted Hickman twice as the Builder of Record. Hickman, one of the leading custom modern home builders in the area, was also mentioned in an article in The New York Times.

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Calvis Wyant

8910 E. Raintree Dr.,., Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Founded on single-source accountability, Calvis Wyant employs architecture, design, and construction experts. As a firm that has been around for 34 years, Calvis Wyant is known for its streamlined design-build method that makes communication with its clients easier. This process is one of the advantages that has helped the firm win many awards, including the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA)’s MAME (Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence) award for Custom Home of the Year Over $3 million. Last year, it also won the NAHB’s Best in America Living Award (BALA) for the prestigious National Custom Home Builder of the Year award. Alongside its collection of awards, the firm was also included in Luxe’s 2020 Gold list where it was an honoree in the architecture and home builder categories. One of the renowned mid-century modern home builders in the area, it was also featured in an article by Forbes.

This award-winning firm is currently managed by founder Tony Calvis, known for his detailed approach to projects, and architectural designer Gary Wyant, who contributes his innate ability to design spaces with a balance of volume, scale, and proportion that invites light and maximizes stunning views. Along with experienced principals, this firm also has memberships with the NAHB and the HBACA. 

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Bannon Builds

66 Tupper Rd., Sandwich, MA 02563

Bannon Builds was only established over a decade ago, but—even as a relatively new firm—it has a team that holds 30 years of construction experience and is a member of the NAHB and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC). With a discerning eye for details, extensive financial management tools, and a commitment to scheduling, Bannon Builds has built enough experience and skill to create eye-catching projects for clients everywhere, from Nantucket to the North Shore.

Among its many projects, its most notable is Scrubby Neck. A midcentury modern home dominated by a harmonious combination of wood and stone, it has wonderful views of the beach and the surrounding forest.

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Adapture DB

817 S. Main st., Las Vegas, NV 89101

A firm that has been featured in Architecture Las Vegas and Las Vegas Magazine, Adapture DB has over 30 years of experience in the architecture, interior design, and construction industries. So far, one of its most notable projects is McNeil Manor in McNeil Estates—one of the most desirable original neighborhoods in Las Vegas and a location filled with iconic midcentury modern homes that represent the homes seen in the late 50s and 60s. This renovation project included creating a new kitchen with walnut cabinetry and catastrophe countertops that alluded to materials often used in the 60s. This kitchen opens up to the living room with views of the backyard.

The firm collected the 2017 International Property Awards’ Architecture Single Residence Nevada Award. Principal founder, Jason Strodl, currently manages Adapture DB. Possessing over 20 years of professional experience in architecture, Strodl was selected as the ‘new architect to watch’ in 2011.

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Moody and Sons Construction

899 Post Rd., Wells, ME 04090

Moody and Sons Construction is renowned for building and renovating distinctive residential and commercial properties along the Maine and New Hampshire coasts. Since the firm has been around for over 65 years, it has gathered a team of highly experienced craftsmen and specialized contractors who guarantee quality work. This team has helped the firm be featured three times in Maine Home + Design and NH Home Magazine.

A great example of the firm’s residential properties is a midcentury modern home found on the southern coast of Maine. A home that’s charged with custom millwork and fine finishes throughout, it has been featured in the 2013 March edition of Maine + Home Design. Over time, the firm also gained memberships with the USGBC, the Architectural Woodworkers Institute (AWI), and the NAHB.

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Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of builders, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the midcentury modern home builders in the United States 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.

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