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The Best Custom Home Builders in Watsonville, California

7 Min Read

Watsonville, California is a small city in the Santa Cruz County of California. Similar to many other cities in the state of California, it has a rather high standard of living and the cost to build a home is a bit higher as well. The standard of living in the area is over 47% higher than the United States average; the average cost to build a home is around $753,900.

It’s no surprise that California living comes at a premium. For many aspiring residents, it all starts with seeking out a plot of land and constructing their dream home. So they need the right home builder for the job. This list runs through some of the best home builders that serve the area to help homeowners seek out the right home builder for their needs.


Talmadge Construction

8070 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Talmadge Construction is a well-respected, multi-awarded home builder in California. The firm was established in 1984 and has 38 years of experience working on custom homes and remodeling projects in the area. The principal, Jeff Talmadge, is a NARI-certified Remodeler; he has the understanding and experience necessary to deliver quality home remodels.

During its 38 years in the construction industry, the firm has accumulated several awards. It has been a consistent recipient of the Meta Award for excellence in construction. It also won the award in the beach house remodel, home theater addition, and green whole house remodel categories. If that’s not enough, the firm also received the NARI Contractor of the Year Award for 2007, 2008, and 2009.

The firm’s principal, Jeff Talmadge, is an active member of various business and construction organizations in his region. He is a member of the Remodelers Executive Roundtable. He also earned certification as a Green Building Professional from the NARI. He is also a Certified Aging in Place specialist recognized by the National Association of Home Builders.

The firm specializes in the construction of contemporary and traditional homes; it also provides mid-century remodels and custom homes. This particular complete home design and construction is located in Santa Cruz. The project demonstrates the firm’s fine contemporary craftsmanship as well as its effective use of light and space to create a welcoming atmosphere for homeowners.


Costa Bella Builders

236 Santa Cruz Avenue, Suite B, Aptos, CA 95003

Costa Bella Builders is a general contractor based in Aptos, California specializing in new home building and major remodeling work. It has served the greater Monterey Bay Area for over 30 years, earning a strong reputation for high customer satisfaction and efficient project management. That reputation is the result of strong partnerships with clients, subcontractors, architects, designers, and suppliers.

Its effective network of partners allows the firm to deliver the prime, uncompromising service its customers expect.

The firm is led by Jeff Thranow, a seasoned designer and home builder with over 30 years of experience helping clients design and build their homes. He is an expert in the field of business and has plenty of experience with the design process. His knowledge of design allows him to create creative solutions to simple and complex problems alike. His firm genuinely cares about people, and it consistently delivers beautifully crafted and designed homes as a result.

The firm is skilled in crafting contemporary designs and structures. This particular project incorporated contemporary and modern design elements and fused them with an open concept that brings in a lot of natural light.


John Fuchs Properties, Construction & Real Estate

758 Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Aptos CA 95003

John Fuchs Properties, Construction & Real Estate is an award-winning home builder that has repeatedly won awards for Outstanding community and customer service as well as Best Builder Awards from the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. It has also been named as Business of the Year by the same organization.

John Fuchs founded his firm in 1985 and has operated almost exclusively in Santa Cruz County. He believes this is the right move for the firm, as it allows them to avoid the communication struggles and confusion brought about by the presence of several branches and subcontractors that force the principal to lose focus on specific projects.


The firm works with many local architects, designers, and local carpenters to ensure that all of the client’s needs and standards are met. In-house, the firm is composed of a talented, dedicated staff that works hard to understand a client’s dreams and bring those dreams into reality. John Fuchs works hands-on with the firm’s clients to create unique solutions to old problems.

The firm has been led by the Fuchs family for over 30 years now. In that span of time, it has developed countless homes, custom additions, and a wide array of remodels and renovations. The firm has the unique ability to convert outdated designs and give them a modern or contemporary twist. This gorgeous kitchen in San Francisco is just a sample.


Seacliff Construction

529 Cathedral Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Seacliff Construction is a residential contractor founded in 2013 by Lennox Smith. The goal of the firm upon found was to create tailored design solutions that are both innovative and within budget for homeowners and aspiring residents.

Len Smith has been a licensed contractor for over 25 years. He has had extensive experience in the fields of residential design, engineering, and facilities design. He took part in various home construction projects and remodels for various other firms prior to establishing his own firm.

The firm is best-known for its uncanny ability to ease and simplify the design and build process and thus minimize stress for both the client and the firm as much as possible. The firm has developed a system to streamline the design and build process to ensure that its professional team is intently focused on fulfilling each step of the job.

The firm has been recognized for its excellence in customer support and service. Seacliff Construction takes a hands-on approach to dealing with clients to create a very personalized experience for each client.

The firm is particularly skilled in contemporary design and builds. This contemporary clubhouse features sleek designs, perfectly selected fixtures, and room elements that give it a welcoming atmosphere for homeowners.


Carroll & Strong Builders, Inc.

48 Riverside Road, Watsonville, CA 95076

Carroll & Strong Builders, Inc. Is a residential construction firm founded in 2004 by Jim Carroll. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of both business and construction; he is also known among his peers as a highly-skilled craftsman with a keen eye for detail.

The firm specializes in luxury custom homes. It operates in Monterey County and the San Francisco Bay area, where it constructs unique, high-end homes of various budgets and sizes. The firm has developed a reputation for being dedicated and dependable. The firm does not terminate the relationship between the client and the firm once the project is finished, and several clients of the firm have become lifelong friends and companions.

Carroll & Strong Builders provides exceptional and enjoyable service while maintaining extremely high standards in construction. The results always exceed client expectations. Each of the firm’s builds is completely unique from one another and manifests the unique personality and interests of each of its clients.

Since its inception, the firm has also received a number of awards. Most recently, it received the 2015 Graniterock Signature of Excellence Award. In the same year, one of its projects was named one of the Top Houses of the Year by Architectural Record.


Howerton Construction, Inc.

200 Charman Hill Road, Aptos, CA 95003

Gregory Howerton has been in the residential construction industry for a long time. He established his firm in 1978, and for 44 years, the firm has provided excellence in communication, quality, and personalized service.

Gregory Howerton and his team recognize that it is challenging to create a home, which is why he is willing to offer his expertise to guide clients throughout the ordeal to ensure that building a dream home is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Greg is very hands-on with his firm’s clients and ensures that each client is given as much attention as needed.

Howerton Construction takes pride in being a frontrunner in the Green Building movement. For several years, it has already practiced green and sustainable construction practices in all of its projects. Many of the homes the firm has built make use of recycled materials, solar space heating, solar water heating, and other forms of renewable energy. 

The firm also puts effort into seeking innovative ways to continue building even more sustainable and efficient houses in the future. Howerton Construction has proven countless times its work speaks for itself.