Columbia, South Carolina, is home to many attractions including the Columbia Marionette Theater, the South Carolina Museum, and the University of South Carolina. This city is also known for fireflies, koalas, and the largest earthen dam in the world.
If you plan to relocate to Columbia, or you are a current resident and are considering building your dream home, our team has created a list of the best custom home builders in the area. These firms were selected based on their years of experience, expertise, and awards earned.
Southland Log Homes
7521 Broad River Rd. Irmo, SC 29063
Located in Irmo, South Carolina, Southland Log Homes serves Greenville, Columbia, Indiana, and other neighboring areas. The firm is America’s most award-winning designer and the largest manufacturer of log cabin kits and log cabin homes. With over 30,000 homes built since 1978, this team has garnered numerous awards and certifications. They have also consistently received recognition from the National Association of Home Builders.
Ken Sekley, the CEO of Southland Log Homes, and his “Dream Team” have made the firm consistent and robust over the years. Sekley is a graduate of Harvard Business School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. He brought his experience in consumer and industrial products, marketing, and sales to Southland Log Homes.
Blythe Building Company
1492 Lake Murray Blvd. Columbia, SC 29212
Over their 17 years in the industry, Blythe Building Company has built over one-hundred quality, custom homes across the Greater Columbia, South Carolina area. The company specializes in Craftsman, Colonial, Tudor, and Farmhouse-style homes. They are known for their attention to detail and architectural elegance. The firm has been featured by Modern Home Builders Magazine, Freetimes, and The State, and also received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have received numerous BIA and Pinnacle Awards for their work.
Blythe Building Company’s CEO, Lee Blythe, is a graduate of University of South Carolina and has 20 years of construction experience. He is also a Certified Master Builder of South Carolina and a Certified Green Professional.
Galloway Family Homes, LLC
10100 Broad River Rd. Suite 4, Irmo, SC 29063
Galloway Family Homes specializes in building semi-custom and custom homes. They service clients in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. The firm has won a plethora of awards, including Certified Master Builder and the Builder of Integrity Award from Quality Builders Warranty. They were recognized by the Home Builder Association of South Carolina for Building and Customer Service Excellence. They have also been featured in several publications such as 2020 Lowcountry Living & Real Estate, Lowcountry Living & Real Estate, The State, Post, and Courier.
Brothers Clint and Bennett Galloway run Galloway Family Homes. The siblings instilled their personal values of honesty, integrity, and excellence into the foundation of their business. They were exposed to the home building industry at a young age and they are extremely passionate about their craft today.
Dunbar Builders, Inc.
130 Cobblestone Court, Chapin, SC 29036
Dunbar Builders is an award-winning, family-oriented company. The firm has built numerous quality communities across Columbia.
Pat and Patrick Dunbar own Dunbar Builders. Pat Dunbar is a graduate of Indiana University School of Business. After his service in the Air Force and his career in banking and finance was adjourned, he established Dunbar Builders. Additionally, Patrick Dunbar, a graduate of the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, joined Dunbar Builders in 1999. Patrick has served on the board of directors for the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia. He is also a member of the Greater Columbia Green Building Council and is pursuing certification as a Certified Master Builder in South Carolina.
The Salud River Club is included in the Dunbar Builders portfolio.
Schumacher Homes
743 Jacobs Mill Pond Rd. Elgin, SC 29045
After 29 years in the industry, Schumacher Homes is one of America’s largest custom home builders. The firm operates in 14 states throughout the country and has 22 showcase and design studio locations. They strive to provide fully customized, affordable, and innovative homes. The team promises their clients a no pressure environment and a process that is free from hidden costs. With over 20,000 projects completed, Schumacher Homes is proud to share that all of their custom craftsman and cape cod homes are unique, and that no two locations are the same.
Due to the team’s hard work and exemplary performance in the industry, Schumacher Homes is a recipient of the National Housing Award for Excellence in Construction. They have been recognized as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) #1 Design Studio in America, the 2015 International Builders Show for Best Multi-Generational Home, and a 2020 Platinum Builder Award Winner.
Paradime Construction, LLC
P.O. Box 5892, Columbia, SC 29250
Paradime Construction was established in 1999 with a goal of building amazing and affordable homes. They have worked with clients for 22 years in Columbia, South Carolina, and specialize in farmhouse, cape cod, and craftsman style homes.
The company has received great reviews from their clients. All of their positive feedback includes comments about the team’s wonderful design and build process. Because of their excellent work, Paradime construction received a Custom Building Award by BIA of Central SC in 2018.
Stan O’Brien, Paradime Construction’s CEO, was an employee for a homebuilder in North Carolina before deciding to start his own company. O’Brien earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science from Clemson University, has a strong passion for architecture, and a particular preference for antebellum-style homes.
The Belleclave in Columbia is a sample from Paradime Construction’s portfolio.
Celtic Works, Inc.
10008 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC 29063
Celtic Works, a home building company, is known for their quality craftsmanship. They have an in-house team of experts who work hard to maintain and continuously improve their craft and reputation in the industry. They follow a rigorous pre-construction process to ensure that their client’s wants are actualized. The firm has been featured in Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Jacksonville Daily Record, The State, Builder Magazine, and Free Times.
David Barry, owner of Celtic Works, moved to America in 1994 from Ireland. He has a background in fine woodworking and organ building as well as an education from the Technological University Dublin.
Gallup & LaFitte, Inc.
113 Columbia Ave. Chapin, SC 29036
Gallup & LaFitte, Inc. is a turnkey, design-build, residential construction firm. They specialize in custom homes and construction management services. The firm services Chapin, Columbia and Lexington, South Carolina, as well as other surrounding areas. They have finished over 300 projects and always prioritizes their client’s satisfaction. The team is well connected with quality subcontractors and suppliers that assist them in bringing value to every project. They have earned the SC Certified Master Builder Award and the Columbia Custom Homebuilding Award. The firm was also named the #1 Builder in the Midlands Market for 2020.
In 1995, owners’ Dick and Elaine Gallup founded Gallup & LaFitte. Dick has more than 25 years of experience in real estate and Elaine has a background in interior design. The couple became a perfect match in the home-building business.
Capogrossi Construction, Inc.
2 Office Park Court, Suite 203, Columbia, SC 29223
Capogrossi Construction, Inc. is one of Columbia’s premier residential custom contractors. They are known for their great workmanship and quality results. For the past 25 years, the firm has been fully committed to their clients and giving extra attention to every project. The team embodies what a true custom builder should be by offering exceptional value in creative floor plans, luxury designs, and a plethora of various services. They have won the Critic’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award by Parade of Homes on multiple occasions. They have also received the Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Columbia’s Regal Award repeatedly.
President Jeffrey Capogrossi, alongside his team, firmly believes that a home is a personal investment.
Lady Street Builders, LLC
702 West Main St. Lexington, SC 29072
Lady Street Builders promises to deliver excellent home-building results with each project. The firm focuses on building custom craftsman and traditional homes, however they are open to building other home varieties. The company has been featured in several publications, including Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Jacksonville Daily Record, Builder Magazine, and multiple times in The State.
Tony Carnagio has 25 years of experience in the industry and is a licensed residential and commercial contractor. Carnagio believes that it is a powerful experience to see happy families move into their newly built, dream homes.
Rumsey Construction and Restoration
2630 Shop Rd. Columbia, SC 29209
Rumsey Construction and Restoration handles both residential and commercial projects. The company is proud of their 30 years of service in the industry with 100% satisfactory from over 5000 happy customers. Their niche is restoring homes with destruction brought by various disasters, including fire, storm, and water damages.
The firm is owned by partners Brendon Rumsey and Tony. Rumsey dedicated 20 years of his life to the construction and restoration field while Tony has 30 years of experience in construction and is a licensed general contractor. Due to their combined expertise, Rumsey Construction and Restoration earned certifications and accreditations in NAHB, BIA, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Construction Homes
161 Pontiac Business Center Dr. Suite 1020, Elgin, SC 29045
Executive Construction Homes specializes in craftsman, farmhouse, and cape-cod style homes. The firm has erected more than 1000 new homes in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2013 and 2015, the organization received a Houzz Awards for being a “Top Ten Builder” and in 2014 they won a HBA Crosthwaite Award for Builder Member of the Year.
The firm is led by SC Master Certified Builder Eddie Yandle. He is also a Certified NAHB Green Professional and has received awards for his innovative floor plans and design trends in homebuilding. Yandle focuses on incorporating green principles into every project.
One of Executive Construction Homes’ best works is the Blythewood – a mid-sized beige-colored home. This two-story brick house was built with a basement and situated for full advantage of the magnificent lake scenery.
Birch Home Builders
110 Ministry Dr. Suite B, Irmo, SC 29063
Birch Home Builders’ goal is to erect homes with timeless elegance. They have the newest technologies to oversee project costs and to track progress. The team utilizes build science and top-notch techniques for every project. They have partnered with a designer to aid them during the selection process.
Birch Home Builders most notable work includes the Willow Cove, a lakefront 2 acres property in Chapin, SC.
Lafaye Custom Homes
601 Taylor St. Columbia, SC 29201
Lafaye Custom Homes provides a customer-centered approach to homebuilding. They focus on assisting clients in building their dream home by providing a well-formulated design process. The organization’s passion is to build magnificent residential structures that stand the test of time. They have been featured in several publications including Columbia Metropolitan Magazine. In 2020, they were recognized as the HBASC Pinnacle Awards Winner for New Construction $400,000 – $549,000.
Lafaye Custom Homes is family-operated, with Lucas Bunch as its owner.
Wilson Co. LLC
1049 2nd Ave. Columbia, SC 29209
Wilson Co. LLC was established in 2010. They specialize in new home construction, renovations, additions, and infill development projects. They are one of the most reputable home-building companies in Columbia and Lexington. Their team of experts is committed to guiding families through the entire construction process. Wilson Co. has a positive reputation for their seamless renovations and new build results. Their clients have been pleased to see the firm bring their dream homes to life.
Evan Wilson, a graduate of Landscape Architecture at Clemson University, is the owner of Wilson Co.
