Mercer Island sits on the southern portion of Lake Washington. It is regarded as an excellent place to live in and offers its residents a large variety of amenities and access to two large cities. The quality of living in the area is relatively high, which has given rise to the popularity of home remodeling in the area.
This list showcases 15 of Mercer Island’s best custom home builders who are behind some of its most beautiful homes and spaces. They were chosen based not only on merit, but also on their respective portfolios, experiences, and backgrounds.
Aspen Homes North West
8015 SE 28th St. Suite #214, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Extending its services throughout Puget Sound and surrounding areas, Aspen Homes draws inspiration from over two decades of industry experience. It is known for its distinctive homes and uses only the best materials and methods. It dedicates itself to meeting its clients’ lifestyles and needs, resulting in a loyal and stellar clientele list. The firm can take on projects regardless of size or scale and adheres to the highest of standards. It is also known for its great landscaping and architectural work. As for its designs, its portfolio depicts an excellent gallery of traditionally themed spaces and homes.
.For the project featured here, the firm’s team used a classic craftsman theme coupled with several slate finishes as well as several custom finishes. Additionally, Aspen Homes installed beautiful, clean shingled roofs, which enhance the exterior’s curb appeal.
Aspen Quality Homes
3010 77th Ave. SE Suite #108, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Aspen Quality Homes specializes in every facet of the residential construction and remodeling process. Its portfolio depicts an excellent array of custom homes, as well as several pre-sale and spec homes. It is highly regarded for its excellent customer service and has worked on numerous exceptional designs complete with impeccable details. The firm has been in business since 1993 and extends its services throughout the Puget Sound area. It assists throughout the entire process, from start to finish, and depicts the ability to work on projects regardless of size or scale. Interested clients may avail of its free consultation work. Its skill can best be seen in the project highlighted here.
For this home, the firm’s team made use of modern architecture. It used large floor-to-ceiling windows coupled with various unique lighting and fixtures. It also opted for various wood finishes and a contemporary touch, emphasized by a recurring theme of straight lines.
Friedman Homes
3438 77th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Friedman Homes is a family-owned and operated business that draws inspiration from more than two decades of industry experience. It specializes in every phase of the residential home building process and assists its clients from start to finish. The firm is an expert in terms of Mercer Island’s architectural vernaculars and has worked on some of its best communities. Founded in 2000, Friedman is led by Jon and Lori Friedman who has worked professionally in residential real estate sales and home building for over three decades. Under their leadership, the firm has become known for its multi-generational homes and stellar designs.
The project illustrated here is one of the firm’s best works. For this home, the firm infused modern elements into a timeless craftsman theme. It opted for paneled exteriors coupled with large windows and straight lines. It also used a neutral color palette and a large entrance.
Gallagher Co. Construction
3010 77th Ave. SE Suite #202, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Founded in 2005, Gallagher Co. has worked on some of the Island’s most beautiful and luxurious homes. It has had the privilege of working around some of its best communities and depicts a skill for any project regardless of size or scale, from waterfront homes to solitary kitchen and bathroom remodels. At the firm’s helm is Tom Gallagher, its owner, and project manager. He draws inspiration from over three decades of industry experience. He first started out placing concrete and working as a carpenter and since then, has expanded and worked on many types of projects including hotels, office buildings, multifamily, single-family residential, parking structures, industrial, and high-tech facilities. He holds a bachelor of science degree in construction management from Washington State University. The firm’s work has graced the pages of publications like Luxe Interiors + Design and Portrait magazine.
Depicted here is one of the firm’s best projects. For this home, its team opted for shuttered windows reminiscent of traditional English countryside cottages. It also worked on inviting brick exteriors, as well as shingled roofs.
JayMarc Homes
7525 SE 24th St. Suite #487, Mercer Island, WA 98040
JayMarc Homes is the product of the collaboration between life-long friends and business partners Jay Mezistrano and Marc Rousso. The firm anchors itself on the highest design standards and most innovative approaches. It operates out of its office in Mercer Island and uses a boutique building method so that no two homes are alike. Additionally, this excellent process has resulted in not only numerous ground-up construction work but also luxury presale, move-in-ready homes. It extends its services throughout the greater Seattle area and the Eastside. The firm is composed of a talented and experienced team of professionals, who each bring their own knowledge and skill to the firm’s projects. Additionally, JayMarc is regarded for its great communication, customer care, and expertise in modern designs.
The firm is no stranger to acclaim and is the recipient of several Best in American Living Awards and Gold Nugget Awards. Since its establishment, the company has worked on more than 200 homes, with its skill best showcased in the project above. Labeled in its portfolio as the Ring residence, the project was completed with the help of McCullough Architects and Tammara Stroud Interior Design. It features a steel-and-precast concrete bridge over the front garden, which seamlessly connects to its main entry. Inside, it used an open-concept floor plan coupled with large windows to allow in a rich amount of ambient light. Some of its most unique elements include a three-sided fireplace and entertainment center, and its own home gym.
Joseph McKinstry Construction Company
3304 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144
Joseph McKinstry Construction draws inspiration from over four decades of experience and specializes in both residential and commercial work. It extends its services throughout Seattle and has had the opportunity to work on some of the best areas in Mercer Island, Bellevue, Hunts Point, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Issaquah, and Lake Forest Park. It has been in business since 1977 and has worked on an extensive range of architectural themes. Additionally, the firm is experienced in terms of working in challenging conditions. The firm’s work has been featured in publications such as The Seattle Times’ Pacific Northwest magazine and Luxe Interiors + Design. It is also the proud recipient of a Best in America Living Award from NAHB.
The project featured here was completed in collaboration with Lane Williams Architects. It is situated in Bellevue and primarily uses a modern theme. For this home, its team made use of wood elements coupled with glass and metal. The company installed several large floor-to-ceiling windows to allow in a rich amount of light and let its interiors appear larger than they actually are.
March MacDonald
9725 SE 36th St. Suite #401, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Regarded as one of Seattle’s leading builders for the past three decades, March MacDonald specializes in modern and traditional residences and takes on large-scale remodels, as well as select commercial construction projects. The firm primarily uses a hands-on approach and is regarded for its excellent construction, development, and project management. It has worked throughout the Pacific Northwest and has become known for its stunning living spaces and craftsmanship. March MacDonald is a respected member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and the Building Industry Association of Washington. It credits its expertise to Clay March and his team of professionals who have worked together in curating an outstanding portfolio for the firm.
Showcased here is one of the firm’s most beautiful projects. Located in the heart of Mercer Island, this home sits just 100 feet from water and features a timeless Nantucket style. The project best depicts the company’s stellar attention to detail and craft for unique finishes. It also provides beautiful views of the nearby Mt. Rainier.
Mercer Builder LLC
3026 78th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Mercer Builder specializes in high-end residential construction. It can take on projects regardless of size or scale and crafts no two projects alike. Its team oversees every facet of the process and is regarded for its meticulous and hands-on methods. That said, its superintendents closely manage its crew and handles every aspect, including paperwork and assisting with the nitty-gritty details. It uses a comprehensive approach, which it achieves through having only a single person in charge. This allows for little to no communication issues, as well as allowing for clients to have one point of contact throughout the duration of a project. The firm’s work has been featured in various publications like Gray magazine, Luxe magazine, and the Seattle Times’ Pacific NW Living magazine.
Situated in Mercer Island, the project shown was completed in collaboration with Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects and was featured in Luxe magazine. The home welcomes its owners with a small bridge. Its exteriors are composed of e-copper and blackened steel. Inside, it features various elegant beams as well as an open-concept floor plan
NW Lifestyle Homes
11747 NE 1st St. Suite #210, Bellevue, WA 98005
NW Lifestyle Homes works on the design and construction of new homes and large-scale remodels. It uses an integrated approach that combines comprehensive architecture and construction services. Often, it infuses various sustainability efforts into its work, ensuring its clients of the high-efficiency of its projects. The firm describes its homes as “livable” and are often regarded for their great functionality and adaptability. Typically, its team uses open floor plans, expandable rooms, and multigenerational layouts. The firm has been rewarded for its efforts and is the recipient of several industry accolades. Some of its most recent distinctions include being named the “Best General Contractor on Mercer Island 2019” by the Mercer Island Award Program.
The photo above depicts the Noonan Farmhouse, one of the firm’s best custom home designs. It is a modern white farmhouse that was completed for a family of five. It spans 3,500 square feet and is made of three levels on a relatively small 6,000-square foot Mercer Island lot. Inside, it features five bedrooms, four full baths, a great kitchen, a home office, and an entertainment den.
RKK Construction Inc.
3056 70th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
RKK Construction extends its services throughout Mercer Island and Seattle Eastside and has been in business for the greater part of four decades. It is regarded for its excellent luxury custom home remodeling and construction work and has had the opportunity to work on projects as far south as Renton and as north as Bellevue and Kirkland. Its team assists throughout the entire process and works closely with its client’s chosen architects. Together they specialize in an extensive range of architectural themes, from Pacific northwestern contemporary styles to east coast traditionalist and modern architecture. RKK Construction is no stranger to accolades and has been recognized with awards numerous times, including in the Seattle Street of Dreams competition, taking Best of Show, Best Interior Design, and Best Master Bathroom accolades.
The firm’s expertise best depicts the firm’s skill and expertise. For this home, it opted for a brick facade coupled with elongated windows and several dormer roofs. It also used a clean palette and several custom details.
Suzanne Zahr
2441 76th Ave. SE Suite #160, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Led by its founder and namesake, Suzanne Zahr uses a design-build approach and operates out of its office in Mercer Island. Zahr is a licensed architect and personally leads the firm’s team of talented and experienced professionals. Under her leadership, the company typically uses a symbiotic approach to designing and building, which has resulted in functional and wonderful spaces. Zahr herself is a well-traveled professional and once went on an academic fellowship in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her trips and experiences have influenced and reflected itself in the firm’s projects. The firm was most recently lauded as being on Luxe Interiors + Design’s “Gold List” for 2021. Aside from its residential work, the firm is also known to work on several commercial projects.
Situated in Seattle, the project above showcases the firm’s expertise in contemporary architecture. For this home, its team made use of exposed beams, shingled roofs, and high ceilings. It also worked on excellent indoor-outdoor spaces, large glass windows, and entryways.
True Design Build
4210 85th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
True Design Build is a locally owned and operated firm that specializes in both custom home building and remodeling. It is a small firm that dedicates itself to coming up with brilliant and sustainable solutions. This has resulted in environmentally conscious projects, which are also regarded for their high efficiency and beautiful craftsmanship. True Design Build employs streamlined professional project management services, which enable it to complete all of its homes on time and within the agreed-upon budget. It has been in business since 2002 and is the brainchild of Justin Davis, a professional with more than two decades of industry experience. He has worked on numerous award-winning projects in California and Washington and prior to his establishment of the firm, first gained experience serving as a director at Green Canopy. Through his vision and skill combined with the talent of his team, True Design Build has worked on over 80 remodels since its inception.
The project illustrated is a Built Green Home, showcasing its expertise for sustainable design. It features floor-to-ceiling sliding windows, a wrap-around courtyard, and several indoor-outdoor spaces. Inside, it has an extravagant gourmet kitchen and solid white oak and heated tiled floors.
