Due to its natural beauty, the coastal city of Pacific Grove is one of the best places to live in California. Its dense suburban appeal attracts many, particularly those about to retire. If you are thinking about settling here, there are many competitive custom home builders that you can consider. These builders have different and various strengths—sustainable building practices, technology use, craftsmanship, and great customer service.
To help you get to know them and their range of services, we have listed the top 15 custom home builders in the city. We highlighted their fortes, design expertise, and construction process.
Lewis Builders
3706 The Barnyard #G-11 Carmel, CA 93923
What sets Lewis Builders apart from other firms is its extensive use of technology. It uses three home design software from the very start of the process. First, the Chief Architect software simultaneously creates a 3D model as architects draw the structure of the home. Next, the Matterport software generates 3D walk-throughs allowing access to all aspects of the space—from every angle to the exact measurements. Finally, the firm uses the Twinmotion software to enhance the earlier 3D model and make it come to life. The virtual experience includes furniture, sunlight angles, and even realistic reflections.
The firm also incorporates project management software to organize the entire building process. The platform allows for coordination, communication, and cost control. The 3D virtual walkthroughs are also accessible should professionals need to revisit the space any time and at any point of the process.
Hare Construction
221 15th Street Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Hare Construction is an advocate for sustainable building practices. When building a custom home, the firm employs green practices with waste reduction and environmental protection in mind. After building, the firm also has a Preventive Maintenance Plan to preserve the home as an investment. The plan includes a full range of property services, maintenance, and emergency repair services. The new home is thus not only sustainable for the planet but also for the people living in it.
The firm is innovative as well. Hare Construction is known for designs that are sustainable and uniquely aesthetic. A perfect example is this home that features a gorgeous use stone that accentuates the California sunlight.
North Star Construction
Ocean Ave., Between San Carlos & Delores, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
A highlight of North Star Construction is its dedication to sustainable energy systems and energy-efficient custom homes. The firm offers three services—energy audits, solar installations, and passive solar design. The firm provides free energy audits to review existing or potential home energy usage. The firm then offers the option of solar installations suitable for that home’s situation—installations that often are supported by the government and immediately reduce utility bills. And the firm’s passive solar designs can lessen, if not eliminate, the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
Passive solar gain has been applied to this residence in Carmel Valley, designed to harness the sun’s energy. North Star Construction also added other sustainable building features including highly efficient energy and lighting systems, and a greywater recycling system.
Doble & Son Custom Homes
4161 Sunridge Rd. Pebble Beach, CA 93953
For more than 40 years, Doble & Son Custom Homes has focused on quality materials and craftsmanship in its projects. With such experience, it’s no surprise that the firm has developed expertise in many diverse areas. The firm is particularly known for its entryways, windows, and door detailing. The firm can also handle specialized areas including entertainment rooms, libraries, and pools. And its quality craftsmanship includes “smart-house” and “green” technology applications.
Aside from design expertise, the services of Doble & Son Custom Homes are vast. The firm provides conceptual planning, comprehensive design, excavation, structural build-out, finishing, and landscaping. One of its quality custom homes is the one featured here, located in West Ruby Hills. Aside from the exquisite design, the house features huge windows that maximize natural light—another signature of Doble & Son.
Murrer Construction
1219 Forest Ave, Suite H, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Murrer Construction prioritizes customer service in its construction process. The firm provides personalized service by avoiding repeat designs, being strict with time, and providing full transparency in all aspects of the project. The firm is also open for appointments at least 10 hours a day, six days a week. All of these efforts are led by principal Paul Murrer who acts as the client’s representative. Paul has been a construction manager for over 30 years and has handled at least $800 million worth of projects.
Clients are fond of the firm’s under-budget, on-schedule management style. The reviews are often from patrons who have hired Murrer Construction for more than one project over the years. The firm’s portfolio showcases custom decks, kitchens, fireplaces, and cabinets.
Cordrey Construction
73 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Cordrey Construction is an expert when it comes to engineering. In addition to construction, this five-generation company handles earthmoving and other excavation services. A great foundation will help a custom home to last. The firm also has the advantage of having its equipment for these kinds of projects.
These services can also be customized for clients. Cordrey Construction carefully reviews the home yard’s slope and soil type among others; the firm can determine risks of flooding and surplus groundwater that might ultimately damage the custom home. Aside from drainage and grading, Cordrey Construction also provides other engineering services including demolition, septic systems, roadways, and driveways.
Burke Construction
680 Lighthouse Ave., # 51824 Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Not all custom homes are meant to be used for everyday living. Clients may be building or remodeling second homes that are out of town, and the challenge is that they may have difficulty reviewing the building process. To address such challenges, Burke Construction uses computerized documents and online communication so that clients get full process transparency.
Of course, some clients have second homes that are reserved for vacation. The problem this time is that they may not be able to regularly take care of these properties. Burke Construction then offers to handle the maintenance of these unattended homes on behalf of the clients. The goal is always to build trust and relationships with homeowners by giving them the individual attention they deserve.
Alexander M. Cappelli Inc.
651 Spruce Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
With over three decades of building experience, Alexander M. Cappelli Inc. has mastered working around different construction set-ups. One of these is building in an occupied, fully operating job site. The project management skills include communication, budgeting, staffing, and on-site organization. Getting these various aspects of a project right means a smoother project flow and thus more focus on providing quality work.
For Alexander M. Cappelli Inc., quality work means great attention to detail. The details must be as accurate as possible. A perfect example is this Santa Barbara-style home. The house is a detailed Spanish-revival style home that includes red tones, white walls, and wood textures.
KR Construction
PO BOX 869 Pacific Grove, CA 93950
KR Construction is an environmentally conscious builder. The firm encourages potential clients to consider the environmental, economic, and social benefits of a green home. A green home has many aspects including using toxin-free building materials, mechanical ventilation systems, and alternative energy sources. The firm also shares green tips that include using fluorescent light bulbs and programmable thermostats.
KR Construction lives up to its green identity with cost-effective, sustainable custom homes. The firm exclusively uses resource-efficient building materials and lumber certified by Full Service Construction Professionals. But this does not mean that the firm’s homes are more costly than the regular ones; over the long-term, they may even be more cost-effective.
M.C. Frederick Construction
316 Mid Valley Ctr, Carmel Valley, CA 93923
The team of M.C. Frederick Construction is composed of merely five contractors. This small group gives you an advantage: these contractors closely work together and invest in each project on a personal level. This intimate approach fits the firm especially because it exclusively provides high-end custom homes.
For its high-end designs, M.C. Frederick Construction invests only in long-lasting construction trends such as Cape Cod architecture and Mid-century modern craftsman style. With this timeless, sophisticated look, the home does not need to be constantly updated. The firm’s other enduring construction ideas include open-concept floor plans, elegant colonial exteriors, and one-story ranches.
Cheveto Construction
658 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas, CA 93906
Cheveto Construction is a carpentry expert. Owner Jose Alberto has been a carpenter in Monterey County for 20 years. He worked for five construction companies before establishing this firm. Craftsmanship became the signature of Cheveto custom homes, and they can be found throughout Salinas, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, and areas nearby.
Specifically, Cheveto Construction’s carpentry expertise includes stonework, roofing, siding, and roofing. The firm can enhance the look of a custom home by installing stone walkways, pavers, and patios. It specializes in installing new roofs and sidings or repairing damaged ones. The firm also provides a variety of flooring solutions in hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, and bamboo.
Silcon Constructors Inc.
3160 Ocean Terrace Marina, CA 93933
Silcon Constructors Inc. is particular when it comes to time-efficiency. The firm prioritizes meeting tight timelines and even aims to get ahead of schedule. To accomplish these goals, the firm anticipates all potential delays, including weather conditions, when setting out the project timetable. Each contract it releases is thorough when it comes to scheduling.
While the goal is to make the building process fast, Silcon Constructors Inc. ensures quality work through a sophisticated check and balance system. A perfect example of the firm’s quality projects is this 6,900-square-foot luxury home in Pebble Beach. This house includes unique custom finishes that were handpicked from across the globe: limestone floors from Israel, Brazilian granite, and mahogany/walnut doors and windows from Austria.
Barak Construction
1514 Hilby ave. Seaside CA 93955
Ladia Barak, the founder of Barak Construction, is a native of the Czech Republic and that’s where he developed an interest in architecture and design when he was young. Ladia has carried his passion and knowledge in European design into his career. He might use, for instance, inswing and outswing French doors, then combine them with a New World style and use modern materials. He is also fond of exploring green techniques, such as adding touch-on faucets to save water. These ideas are what make the firm’s custom homes unique.
Above is an example of a Barak Construction project that reflects Ladia’s style. This kitchen features sleek countertops, high-capacity cabinets, and a European built-in glass top cooking surface. This project exudes a functional, minimalist appeal.
