Finding the right home builder requires thorough knowledge of a firm’s background. One must factor in not only construction prowess but also its customer service and project management. The ability to personalize each project depending on the client should also play a role in the final decision.
This list presents the best custom home builders in Princeton, New Jersey. These firms stood out for their reputation, portfolio, awards, and feedback. Several studios are sustainable builders committed to energy-efficient structures.
Meisenbacher Homes
465 Spring Hill Rd., Skillman, NJ 08558
Meisenbacher Homes is a luxury home builder known for its “historically-designed 21st-century homes”. With owner Luke Meisenbacher at the helm, the Montgomery practice serves clients in New Jersey, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. The full-service firm combines current building techniques with traditional and colonial design to deliver stunning spaces with modern efficiency. Every custom home includes energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, comfortable layouts, and office and entertainment facilities.
This three-story luxury home, dubbed Washington I, is a project completed in 2017. It features a traditional exterior with a mix of brick stone and wood sidings and six thin columns on its two front entrances. A classic entryway leads to a tall foyer with a rustic design that extends to most rooms of the house. Crisp brown accents complement the white and cream tones, which spice up the interior aesthetic. Notable features include a family room, home office, kitchen, bar, billiards room, and a majestic master suite.
Material Design Build
89 Cuyler Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Material Design Build excels in high-performance projects with strong functional and aesthetic qualities. Its expertise lies in the construction and design of passive houses, wood buildings, and adaptive reuse of historic spaces and structures. Energy-efficiency and the use of clean lines are also central factors in its process.
Co-founders George Akers and Armin Zomorodi lead the small firm and its collaborative crew of experts who are well-versed in fabrication and construction. Both principals have experience in historic restoration developments and consistently strive to create spaces that suit the owner’s lifestyle.
The company’s portfolio includes projects in residential and commercial markets. High-quality wood homes fill the studio’s catalog, one of which is the project featured in this article. The East Branch Residence is a two-story abode built in the middle of a grassy lot surrounded by trees and mountains. Its exteriors have sophisticated gray sidings, while the interiors use a sleek white palette. Large windows on both levels provide natural light, which helps save electricity during the daytime.
Barna Building Contractors
22 Britton Road, Stockton, NJ 08559
Barna Building is a Stockton-based practice that specializes in residential construction. Since 1969, the builder has amassed a dynamic dossier of houses that exude modern and traditional flair. The firm prioritizes strong workmanship and customer service in every project, which typically involves custom homes, renovations, additions, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling.
Images from 8 Hartley Farm Rd. Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Mik Barna, a veteran with over 45 years of experience, heads the family-owned and operated practice. The third-generation contractor constructs every project based on the client’s lifestyle and preferences. His company’s ability to provide a smooth working environment and finish projects on schedule earned positive feedback from former clients.
This project is a classic home with elements of Georgian and Colonial styles. Its exterior walls consist of faded red bricks and white wood sidings. Rustic roofs with dormers and chimneys provide visual accents to the design. The massive two-story compound towers over a grassy expanse, a striking vintage structure that pops amidst a verdant terrain.
Dickson Development Corporation
666 Plainsboro Rd. Suite 2000F, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Dickson Development Corporation, also known as DDC, is a design-build company that serves Princeton and its adjacent areas. Its core services include new construction, renovation, home additions, and kitchen and bath remodeling. Homes are customized to match the owner’s vision, uniquely fitted to match their style and comfort.
President Richard Dickson operates with quality and efficiency in mind. He leads a group of seasoned craftspeople and industry specialists with the same ideals and who consistently strive to provide a positive building experience in every job. As a Certified Green Professional (CGP), Dickson also incorporates environmentally-responsible and energy-saving methods in his work.
DDC has a portfolio that spans over 47 years. Aside from custom homes, it also includes sunrooms, mudrooms, offices, storages, and decks. A sample of its work is this two-story residence built on a tree-filled New Jersey acre. The transitional home combines classic elements such as its red brick sidings with a contemporary layout. A quiet elegance emanates from the house, which exudes style and functionality rolled into one.
Pinneo Construction
372 Wall Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Pinneo Construction is a Princeton builder proficient in renovations, additions, and new home construction. It has a portfolio of classic and modern homes that combine time-tested solutions with contemporary techniques. Owners Tom Pinneo and Chris Myers run a streamlined process from the project’s inception to its completion. Their firm serves as a comprehensive partner that provides architectural solutions and resources during the planning stages. The team consistently delivers optimal results through quality and efficient service.
This Lake Drive residence is a collaboration with Richardson Smith Architects in 2019. The three-story house stands on a contoured site on Lake Carnegie, its layout made of concrete, metal, and tile finishes. Other features include a tight thermal envelope, LED lighting, a heating system, and a roof-mounted solar array. This sustainable home also has a unique transparent theme. Floor-to-ceiling framed glasses fill the interior facade of the house, with smaller windows on the outward-facing walls. This design provides natural daylight and a scenic view of the environment.
Grant Homes
1 E. Main Street, Mendham, NJ 07945
Grant Homes is an acclaimed custom home builder in New Jersey since 1984. As a design-build firm, it hones in on every client’s lifestyle to create spaces that suit the owner’s criteria. Building efficiently while providing a positive environment turned the firm into a local favorite and a preferred contractor among local homeowners in the area.
Jay Grant is president of the New Jersey firm. Across 30 years, he’s amassed a deep portfolio of large mansions, luxury apartments, and quaint houses. One of his notable projects, The Lafayette, is a residential property located in Princeton. The 4,605-square-foot home includes four bedrooms—three full bathrooms and two powder rooms. This new home also features a finished lower level with 10’ ceilings, a guest bedroom suite, a theatre room and a large gym. Built amidst lush terrain, the home’s exteriors showcase Eastern cedar shingle siding, gambrel-style dormers, and white accents. Wide spaces and stylish decor provide simple grandeur to the interior design.
Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction
860 State Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction is a design-build company that serves Mercer County. Its balance of architecture and construction is prevalent in every project, whether it’s a Colonial home renovation, a townhouse update, or a bath and kitchen remodel.
Owner and president March Brahaney consistently crafts living spaces that enhance living conditions. He achieves this feat through functional and visually pleasing homes with elements of sustainable and energy-efficient design. Brahaney’s strong performance won many accolades over the years. Some recent awards include the 2020-2021 Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the 2020 Best Residential Design-Build Firm in New Jersey, and the 2019 Best Residential Company, both from BUILD Magazine.
The featured project is a traditional Colonial home located in Princeton. The whole-house renovation encompasses additions and reconfiguration of the newly expanded interiors. New spaces include a kitchen, dining area, mudroom, master bedroom suite, and playroom. The exteriors and interiors share a dove-colored palette that exudes sophisticated style. Stylish furniture and fixtures add pops of color to the classic abode.
