Located in Contra Costa County, Moraga is a suburb of Oakland and takes great pride in being one of the best places to live in California. A large portion of its population consists of retirees and young professionals. The city provides its residents with great restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The town also serves as a showcase of California’s various architectural vernaculars.
Our editorial team decided to break down five of the best custom home builders in the area. We were impressed by their great backgrounds and portfolios, the criteria that helped these firms make it into the article. The final cut includes five firms with plenty of skill and the industry awards to prove it.
Branagh Development
3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite #200, Lafayette, CA 94549
Branagh Development is a premier development and construction firm that has been in business since 1917. It is repeatedly noted not only for its great custom homes but also for its urban and commercial projects. The company begins its process with an initial consultation where its team gets a feel for the clients’ lifestyles and needs. The firm then proceeds to comprehensive planning—submitting contracts, assembling a team, working on a preliminary design, and further honing the best theme that would fit the client’s vision. Since 1986, this firm has produced over 150 beautiful homes. As a testament to its client satisfaction rate, it works almost solely and exclusively on referral clientele.
The project above was completed in Alamo and best showcases the company’s skill and expertise. Inside, you’ll find four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and four fireplaces. It spans roughly 6,500 square feet and the firm was challenged to work on 12,000 square feet of custom millwork. Some of its other unique features include a his-and-hers office, several handmade gas lamps, and a lavish master suite complete that includes a private deck.
Diamond Construction
PO Box 477, Lafayette, CA 94549
Diamond Construction can handle it all, from the smallest space facelift to an entire home renovation. The firm does not limit itself to any particular designs. It showcases expertise in various architectural themes, some of which include the most intricate Mediterranean styles and contemporary craftsman designs. Now in its second generation of builders, Diamond Construction specializes in building custom homes and estates. Since the firm’s inception, the firm has worked on over 500 residential and commercial projects. With more than three decades of industry experience to offer, the firm is led by its founder Keith Stone. He and his team continue to serve new and returning clients with these excellent services guaranteed to last for years to come.
The traditional estate above is an excellent example of the company’s talent. It was completed in Lafayette in collaboration with a great architect, landscaper, and designer. It took two years to plan the entire estate and challenged the firm with constructing its main home, guest home, tennis court, outdoor pavilion, tennis court, and swimming pool. It also installed a 68-panel solar field on a hill.
ONY Homes
391 Livorna Heights Rd., Alamo, CA 94507
ONY Homes offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of custom home building and residential development services. The firm is particularly well-respected for its significant expertise in traditional themes and modern spaces. Mark Cherno leads its talented team, under whose leadership the company has secured solid relationships with some of the area’s best builders and subcontractors. The firm makes use of a hands-on approach, an approach that invites a rich amount of client participation in the process. That participation ensures that their needs and lifestyles are incorporated into their new homes. The company’s skill is best embodied in the project below.
Completed in Lafayette, this home showcases ONY’s expertise in contemporary and modern work. It features an infinity pool that stretches out and offers its homeowners stunning views of the area. Inside, the company’s team chose a combination of clean paneled flooring and granite tiles. It also designed and worked on an open floorplan that seamlessly connects the home’s spaces.
W.B. Elmer
17 Keith Dr., Orinda, CA 94563
W.B. Elmer & Company is an award-winning firm that draws inspiration from over four decades of industry experience. The firm is well-known for its comprehensive range of services, project management, and accurate cost estimates. Since its inception, the firm has worked on hundreds of commercial and residential projects totaling over a million dollars. It assists its clients with everything from start to finish. It has had the opportunity to work on numerous ground-up construction, remodels, additions, refurbishing, tenant improvements, historical restoration, and seismic and structural upgrades. In addition to all these, the company infuses various sustainability practices into its work.
Showcased above is the Stein residence. It was completed in Orinda in a contemporary home style. The firm’s team combined concrete and wood elements for this home’s exteriors. It also installed several large windows to bring in a rich amount of ambient light.
G Squared Construction
38 Hillcrest Drive, Orinda CA 94563
Glen Gagon grew up in construction so it was no surprise when he pursued it as a career and dedicated his life to it. After spending most of his years in commercial construction, this Utah-native and Construction Management graduate established G Squared Construction in 2015. Together with his wife, Kelly, he focused more on working with homeowners to achieve their dream homes. Kelly’s acuity in accounting combined with Glen’s construction expertise has developed the company into a reliable and successful custom home builder in Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga.
The company takes on additions, renovations, and custom homes. Thanks to its skilled team of professionals that include laborers, tradesmen, and its own in-house designer, the company is able to provide a seamless design and construction process without the hassle. Hard work, integrity, and consideration of others are the foundation of the organization — the same values Glen has lived by. He and his team pride themselves on hands-on work and open communication to build not only excellent homes but solid relationships with clients.
Featured here is one of its design-build new construction projects. This modern iteration of the farmhouse style brings in clean and contemporary design to emphasize the expansive views seen in nearly every room. The home opens up into its surroundings and outdoor views courtesy of the architectural elements like walls of glass without molding, vaulted ceilings, and the open floor layout.
